The Matchup
The new year marks the start of the second half of the Canada West Volleyball season as the No. 2 UBC Thunderbirds (11-1) open 2018 at home against the Manitoba Bisons (5-7) Friday and Saturday, January 5 and 6 at War Memorial Gym.
Home court has been a place of dominance for the T-Birds who are a perfect 6-0 having dropped just four sets at War Memorial.
UBC has enjoyed a tremendous season thus far with their only loss snapping an eight-match win streak to start the season. Since then, the 'Birds have won four in a row losing just a single set in the process.
This weekend marks the first meeting between the 'Birds and Bisons since last year's Canada West final four where Manitoba earned a straight sets win before both teams advanced to the U SPORTS national tournament.
First serve Friday night at War Memorial is set for 7:30 p.m. PT with Saturday's rematch underway at 6:30 p.m. PT.
Last Action
UBC closed out 2017 with back-to-back straight sets victories over the Mount Royal Cougars in Calgary.
Irvan Brar had a combined 25 kills while
Keith West led with 17 digs to improve the T-Birds' road record to 5-1.
Manitoba split their final Canada West weekend of 2017 at home against the Saskatchewan Huskies. The Bisons took the first match in four sets before dropping a 3-1 decision the following day. Manitoba kept busy during the holiday break competing in an exhibition tournament in Winnipeg.
By the Numbers
107 – The 'Birds lead all of U SPORTS with 107 service aces, 2.38 per set, 21 more than the second highest total.
12.38 – UBC sits second in the conference with 12.38 kills per set. The T-Birds also have the second highest hitting percentage at .296 and the second fewest attacking errors with 201.
Players to Watch
Keith West (#3, Left Side) – The veteran out of Lethbridge put up season highs in digs with 13, assists with three, along with three service aces in UBC's last match against the Mount Royal Cougars. West currently sits second on the 'Birds with 1.46 digs per set.
Byron Keturakis (#1, Setter) – The fourth-year setter leads the entire country with 35 service aces, an average of 0.78 per set. Keturakis is also looking to pick up where he left off defensively at the end of 2017 when he put up a season high 11 digs in UBC's last match against Mount Royal.
Coach's Take
Despite playing so well heading into the holiday break, UBC head coach
Kerry MacDonald says his team was ready for some mental and physical rest.
"We started training August 21 so it was a long first semester for us," said the second-year head coach. "The guys did a great job staying on point and we continued to get better throughout the semester which is what we wanted, but it was a well-deserved break and something we were looking forward to."
MacDonald is happy with where his team is at, sitting tied for first in the conference, but he's looking to continue to build towards the post-season and knows they're in for a good test against the Bisons.
"They got a couple fifth years that are really strong athletes and they're complimented by some younger guys and some first years," said MacDonald. "They got guys that definitely know what it takes to win at this level and it's a program that always competes hard and is always hard to beat. I expect it to be another really tough Canada West battle as they always are."
