VANCOUVER – It's extremely early days in the 2017-18 season, but the UBC Thunderbirds are already showing they will be a deep and talented bunch. The 'Birds took care of business Thursday night with a convincing straight-set victory (25-19, 25-22, 25-15) over the Thompson River WolfPack in a non-conference match-up at War Memorial Gym.
 
The 'Birds will return their entire starting line-up from last season and also added two All-Canadians in Calgary Dinos transfer Keith West and fifth-year Thunderbird Ben Chow, who has been sidelined for the last two seasons with an injury.
 
Mat Guidi and Irvan Brar, who registered nine and seven kills, respectively, led the Thunderbirds' attack. Setter Byron Keturakis racked up 21 assists, while Chow recorded five digs.
 
Thompson Rivers, who were playing a split-squad line-up, as the rest of their team were in Abbotsford matching up against UFV, were paced by outside hitter Joshua Mullaney with six kills. Setter Jakob Hamilton contributed 21 assists.


 
"It's early in the season for us and there is still lots we want to get better at," said UBC head coach Kerry MacDonald. "I'm happy with our level of performance tonight. I'm happy how our guys responded. They really took this game seriously."
 
First-year middle Fynn McCarthy made his way into the match's third set and immediately showed the athleticism that made him one of the most sought after recruits in the country. The Winfield, B.C., native finished the match with his first two kills and blocks on his home floor.
 
"It's great playing with these veterans," said McCarthy. "They really teach me a lot, both attacking and blocking…it's good to be with these guys trying to win a national championship."
 
UBC begins the Canada West regular season on October 20 against the UBC Okanagan Heat in Kelowna, B.C.