Matchup

 
The UBC Thunderbirds are now the top seed in the nation according to the U SPORTS Top 10 rankings released this week, knocking off the Trinity Western Spartans who held the top spot for almost a full calendar year.
 
"Although it's nice to be the number one ranked team we really aren't focused on that," admits UBC Head Coach Kerry MacDonald. "That was never a goal of our team this year, we are focusing on getting better each week and right now preparing for Regina is our focus."
 
UBC will take their 16-2 record, and a five-game win streak, on the road to Regina where they'll face the 2-18 Cougars on Friday at 6:00 pm and Saturday at 3:00 pm (PST). In the Canada West standings, the 'Birds are just two points back of the Spartans with six games remaining in the regular season - two of which come against the last-place Cougars this weekend. In their most recent meeting a year ago, UBC came away with a 3-0 and 3-1 series sweep at War Memorial Gym.


 

Last Action

 
The 'Birds took down the Bobcats in two matches and only dropped a single set to the fourth-place Brandon squad last weekend on home court. Keith West exploded for 20 kills, 4 aces and 15 digs, Jordan Deshane added 18 kills and 7 blocks, and Irvan Brar put up 18 kills, 15 digs, 4 aces and 5 blocks in the sweep.
 
Regina earned their second victory of the season in their most recent series at MacEwan with a 3-2 win after falling in five the night before in Edmonton. Matthew Aubrey tallied 36 kills and 11 blocks, while Brennan Goski racked up 30 kills and 3 aces in the series split a week ago.

By the Numbers

 
2.31 – UBC's serving prowess is evident in their national-best average of 2.31 service aces per set and 155 total aces. Byron Keturakis is tops in the country with 0.75 aces per set, while Brar is also in the top ten with a 0.46 average. West and McCarthy are close behind with 21 and 19 aces respectively.
 
2165 – the Cougars have totalled the most attacks in the Canada West but average just 10.28 kills per set and have the second most errors. Aubrey and Goski are tied for the team lead with 2.79 kills per set for Regina.


 

Players to Watch

 
Joel Regehr – (#9, Middle) – The fourth-year Courtenay, BC native leads the T-Birds with 53 total blocks so far this season, and averages 0.84 blocks per set while earning the third most kills on the roster with 107. Regehr had 11 kills and a season-high 5 digs last weekend, and has started all 17 matches for the 'Birds this season.
 
Jordan Deshane – (#8, Middle) – The second-year Sauder School of Business student recorded season-highs in both kills (13) and points (15.5) in the win against Brandon last Friday. Deshane has the second most blocks on the roster with 36 and a 0.471 hitting percentage - just behind Regehr.
 
 

Coach's take

 
With points at a premium in the Canada West, Coach MacDonald says his team is focussed and ready to execute against a struggling Cougars team.
 
"The Regina cougars are a better team than their record reflects. They have had hard fought matches with the top teams in our conference and are capable of beating anyone in Canada West.  At this time of the season we are simply trying to build off of our play each weekend and be better for our experience in Regina this weekend."