The UBC Thunderbirds (0-4) are travelling to Manitoba this weekend in search of their first regular season victory as they take on the Brandon University Bobcats (2-0) on Friday at 5:45 pm and Saturday at 4:45 pm (PST). It'll be a tough test for the new-look Thunderbirds against the No. 2 ranked Bobcats squad who are coming off of a bye week. In their most recent matchup, the T-Birds earned a 3-1, 3-0 victory over Brandon in January of last season.
 

Last Action

 
UBC dropped a pair of matches to the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack a weekend ago on their first road trip, losing 3-1 before falling just short in a close 3-2 decision on night two. First-year outside hitter James Takken had a breakout weekend with a team-high 23 kills, while Joel Regehr racked up 8 total blocks with 11 kills over 9 sets of action.
 
The Bobcats opened their season at home two weeks ago with back-to-back victories over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies - winning 3-1 and 3-0 before enjoying a week off of conference play. Rookie left side Robin Baghdady put up an impressive 22 kills with 6 service aces in his first taste of Canada West play.


 

By the Numbers

 
2.00 – UBC averages the second most service aces per set in the Canada West, with 34 total to date. Second-year setter Zec Johnson leads the squad with 0.71 aces per set, and 12 total aces. 
 
17 – Although the T-Birds have yet to pick up their first win on the season, they've played the third most sets in the conference and continue to battle for each and every game.


 

Players to Watch

 
Joel Regehr – (#9, Middle) – As the most veteran member of the young Thunderbird squad, the fifth-year Courtenay, B.C. native brings a wealth of experience to the roster. Regehr had a solid weekend against TRU and now has 11 blocks with 17 kills and 8 aces in 17 sets so far this season.
 
Danny Aspenlieder – (#12, Outside Hitter) – In his third year with the 'Birds, Vernon B.C.'s Aspenlieder racked up a career-high 11 kills last Saturday with 4 service aces and 10 digs against the Wolfpack.


 
 

Coach's take

 
UBC Head Coach Mike Hawkins knows his team still has plenty of room to grow as a unit.
 
"While we're disappointed that we weren't able to come away from our weekend with at least a split with TRU, we know that our season is still in its infancy and we are still continuing to build," said Hawkins. "There was significant improvement in our play from Friday to Saturday night, and we need to continue to focus on that steady improvement throughout the year."
 
Coach Hawkins is prepared to face a powerful Bobcat squad that had high expectations for their season.
 
"Brandon is going to be a strong team, likely one of the top 2-3 in our conference. Coach Wilson always puts together a physical roster and this year's team is no different. They will be strong on the outside and have a strong veteran presence in the middle, but we are confident that we can push them and test them with our style of play. This matchup should make for two exciting games this weekend."