The Matchup
Following a mixed bag in the first weekend of 2018, the No. 3 UBC Thunderbirds (12-2) hit the road to visit the Winnipeg Wesmen (10-4) Friday and Saturday, January 12 and 13 at the Duckworth Centre.
Entering this weekend just two points back of the Canada West leading Trinity Western Spartans, the T-Birds have lost just one match on the road so far this season while the Wesmen have dropped just a single match at home.
It's the first meeting between the two since November of 2016 with the 'Birds splitting a double header in Vancouver. UBC hasn't made a trip to Winnipeg since November of 2015 when the Wesmen swept the 'Birds who haven't picked up a win at the Duckworth Centre since the fall of 2013.
First serve Friday is 5:45 p.m. PT with Saturday's rematch at 3:00 p.m. PT.
Last Action
The T-Birds settled for the weekend split against the Manitoba Bisons with UBC dropping their first match on home court Friday night in five sets. The 'Birds rebounded with a convincing straight sets win Saturday.
The Wesmen were on the west coast last weekend visiting the Trinity Western Spartans who earned a pair of wins over Winnipeg, 3-1 and 3-2. The Wesmen have dropped three straight matches heading into Friday night's contest.
By the Numbers
.291 – UBC is tied with Trinity Western for the conference's top hitting percentage. The 'Birds also lead the conference with 662 total kills.
4 – Despite a four-set loss to Manitoba last Friday, the 'Birds have lost just four combined sets in their last six matches.
Players to Watch
Tyson Smith (#16, Libero) – The second-year libero led UBC in digs in both matches last weekend with 9 and 12, respectively. Smith is up to fifth in the conference in digs per set with 2.12.
Byron Keturakis (#1, Setter) – Keturakis put up a whopping 50 assists, a season high, last Friday followed up by 41 assists and four service aces in Saturday's UBC win. The fourth-year setter continues to lead U SPORTS with 40 service aces and sits second in the country with 545 assists.
Coach's Take
After the 'Birds dropped their first home match of the season last Friday, UBC head coach
Kerry MacDonald was impressed with his team's bounce back the following night and believes that can be a blueprint for going forward.
"I think Saturday night our intent to work hard for every point and to expect to have to battle it out was there and we executed a lot better," said the second-year T-Birds boss. "This league is so good, there are so many good teams that you have to show up and you have to bring your best every night in order to win and I think it was a bit of a wakeup call on Friday on just what that is."
The 'Birds are expecting a tough battle this weekend against a team that doesn't give you much on their own court, lending itself to a playoff-type atmosphere.
"Winnipeg is a really good team, they're well-coached, they have a veteran team with quite a few fifth-year guys and it's a really tough gym to win in so we know this is going to be a tough weekend and I think our guys are prepared for that," said MacDonald. "That's kind of been our ammo all year, to prepare for every game like it's a gold medal match. This weekend will be no different trying to play a really good team on the road in a really tough gym and hopefully that makes us better for the long term."
