Seven months after claiming bronze at last year's U SPORTS national championship tournament, the UBC Thunderbirds are ready for another Canada West season which begins at home this Friday and Saturday, October 19th and 20th against the Alberta Pandas at War Memorial Gym.
The start of the 2018-19 season marks a big change for the perennial powerhouse Thunderbirds with a total of nine new faces on the roster, by far the biggest recruiting class in head coach
Doug Reimer's 22 years with the program.
Ranked third in the Canada West in a preseason coaches' poll, the young Thunderbirds get thrown right into the fire facing one of their biggest foes, the number one ranked Pandas. Alberta returns plenty of big names from last year's U SPORTS silver medal winning squad in this weekend's meeting of the winners of 10 of the last 13 conference championships.
First serve Friday night is 6:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's action beginning at 5:00 p.m. PT. Tickets are available online now.
Last Meeting
After splitting the 2017-18 season series with the Pandas, UBC fell in four sets to Alberta in the U SPORTS semifinals back in March. The two met in a preseason contest three weeks ago at the Thompson Rivers Battle of the Border tournament where Alberta earned a straight sets win.
By the Numbers
5 – The T-Birds and Pandas feature one of the best rivalries of any two teams across the country with each squad picking up five regular season wins against the other over the last five seasons. The two have also met five times in the post-season over that span including the 2017 U SPORTS championship final where the 'Birds won in four sets.
13.15 – UBC led the Canada West in 2017-18 with an average of 13.15 kills per set.
Kiera Van Ryk led the way with 3.74 kills per set, tied for second in the conference.
Players to Watch
Kiera Van Ryk (#3, OH) – Becoming the first Thunderbird in history to win U SPORTS Rookie of the Year, Van Ryk enters her second season at UBC after an eventful summer with the Canadian women's national team which included a trip to Japan for the World Championship.
Jayde Robertsen (#1, OH) – Hailing from Delta, Robertsen joins the Thunderbirds as a transfer from NCAA Division I Eastern Washington where she led her team in blocks per set (0.66). The 6-foot-3 outside hitter was named the No. 2 graduating player in B.C. in 2017, behind Van Ryk.
Coach's Take
Bringing in nine new recruits is a first for UBC head coach
Doug Reimer who enters his 22nd season at the helm. With that much change there's an inevitable adjustment period but it's one the seven-time national champion is prepared for.
"The potential for this group both this year and long term is really high and that's exciting and it's important for us to keep that in perspective," said Reimer. "I've been really pleased with how the returning players have handled a situation that's completely fresh and new for them. One of the benefits we do have is the length of our season, we've got a while to grow and develop."
Aside from all the new faces on the team, many returning players are adjusting to new positions and roles as well.
"Due to a variety of things, including injuries, we're not solidified in terms of a lineup," added Reimer. "I think we can give a lot of different looks and it's just going to be interesting to see how we progress through the season. I know we have that time to really be building on the team front."
Facing a veteran, accomplished opponent in the Pandas to open the season is a bit like baptism by fire for the young T-Birds, but a welcome challenge.
"It's going to be a tough opening weekend because Alberta's going to have a fairly solidified group and roster. We have to find the balance between preparing to stop them but making sure that we are not overloading ourselves both individually and team wise so we can just play the game and not overthink the game."
