The UBC Thunderbirds kicked off 2018 by extending their undefeated home streak to seven straight victories at War Memorial Gym with a 3-0 (27-25, 26-24, 25-23) win over the Manitoba Bisons. With the victory, the T-Birds (11-2) now have sole possession of first place in the Canada West with the Calgary Dinos (10-2) on a bye week.
 
Fourth-year libero Sam Patko was itching to resume conference play after the winter break. "It's exciting to come back. The first term always seems so long because you're just playing and playing, but now the goal of nationals is in mind. It's great to finally put the jerseys on and get out there."


 
Early errors catalyzed a 8-6 Bisons lead in the first set before Anna Price painted the line with her first kill to make it a one-point game. UBC then stormed back from an 15-11 deficit to tie it up at 15-15. Victoria Behie subbed in to earned three quick kills, but the Bisons kept pace to make it 23-23. Kiera Van Ryk gave the 'Birds their third set point that Ciara Hanly converted on a block to win the first 27-25.
 
There wasn't much separating the two teams in the second set - evident in a marathon rally capped off by a Hanly block to make it 9-7 Bisons. Another Hanly block knotted it up at 9-9 and the T-Birds took a 16-14 lead into the technical timeout. Tori Studler dropped an ace for the Bisons to give them a pair of set points, up 24-22, but UBC turned it around and Van Ryk gave the home team a set point of their own. Captain Gentile then stepped up to the line to win it on an ace 26-24.
 

Another close one as the 'Birds take 2nd set 26-24. ???? #GoBirdsGo pic.twitter.com/cdC8vQXcZX

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) January 6, 2018

The third set saw much of the same back-and-forth action with the teams tied at 21-21 before UBC took control and closed out the match 25-23 on an Olivia Furlan kill.
 
Thunderbird Head Coach Doug Reimer knew his team would be a bit rusty in their first match of the year. "Players or coaches would just go 'Wow, we didn't need to make that error at that point,' and that was the same for both teams...we were just fortunate" said Reimer. "When we did execute and run a good right side attack - with Olivia [Furlan] - she did a good job, but against Manitoba they were waiting for some errors and we made enough to keep it close."
 
Van Ryk led the 'Birds with 15 kills and 14 digs, Furlan added 13 kills and 13 digs, while Hanly chipped in a big 6 blocks and 8 kills. Patko finished with 12 digs and 2 assists in the victory, and saw her team turn it on in crucial situations.
 
"I think in the end we put the balls away when we needed to. We were kind of rocky the whole way through. Tomorrow we're definitely going to have to come back and play our own game. I think we played with them...rather than at our own pace. We came through when we need to, but tomorrow definitely needs to be better."

UBC and Manitoba will renew acquaintances on Saturday evening at 5 p.m. (PST).