Matchup
With the monkey off their back and a win under their belt, the UBC Thunderbirds (1-7) are ready to build momentum when they host the Saskatchewan Huskies (3-5) on Friday at 7:00 pm and Saturday at 6:30 pm (PST). Saturday is the second annual T-Birds Pride Night at War Memorial Gym, encouraging inclusivity while celebrating a safe campus environment for everyone.
The 'Birds are coming off a decisive victory on home court prior to a week away from Canada West competition, while Saskatchewan has hit a rough patch of three straight losses. In their previous matchup, the T-Birds took the first match 3-1 but lost in five sets to the Huskies in the 2017-2018 regular season finale.
Last Action
UBC earned their first win of the season two weeks ago on home court in a series split with the Manitoba Bisons. The visiting Bisons won 3-1 before the Thunderbirds stormed out to a 3-0 win in dominant fashion to head into their bye week on a positive note.
Coltyn Liu had his best weekend as a T-Bird with a career-high 19 kills on night one and 9 kills the following evening to lead the 'Birds offensively over the series. Rookie
Gerard Murray also had a breakout performance in the straight-sets victory with 5 blocks, 5 kills and 2 aces against his hometown team.
Saskatchewan dropped their last 3 matches, all at home, starting with a tight five-set decision to the Calgary Dinos before falling to Trinity Western 3-1 and 3-0. Second-year outside hitter Dylan Mortensen had a team-high 21 kills over seven sets, and leads the Huskies with an average 3.36 kills per set and 9 service aces.
By the Numbers
1.84 – UBC's serving continues to be a strength this season as they average the second highest service aces per set and total aces (with 57) in the Canada West.
185 – The T-Birds' offense is statistically stronger on home court with fewer sets played. UBC has 185 kills at War Memorial Gym (31 more than on the road), with a higher hitting percentage (0.229 at home, 0.131 on the road).
Players to Watch
Nick Mickelberry – (#10, Outside Hitter) – The second-year hitter was a key piece to the 'Birds' win against Manitoba, as the Victoria, B.C. product has taken full advantage of his court time this season. He leads the team in hitting percentage with 27 kills over 9 sets to date.
Ben Hooker – (#6, Setter) – In his first season with the Thunderbirds after transferring from Western University, Hooker averages 8.10 assists per set, enough to put him in the top ten of the Canada West. The Winnipeg native has also spent time with Volleyball Canada's National Excellence Program training with former T-Bird standout setter
Byron Keturakis.
Coach's take
"It was great to get our first win under our belt against Manitoba," said UBC Head Coach
Mike Hawkins. "It was great seeing certain guys step up in the match to deliver key performances.
Nick Mickelberry did a great job infusing energy into our attack and he was a big reason that we had such a convincing victory against a solid Bisons team. The bye week was very well timed, allowing the guys to take a bit of a breath after midterms and a tough stretch of games. More importantly, it allowed our coaching staff to hone in on a couple key concepts that we could work on without the pressures of preparing for two matches on the weekend. We feel we're coming out of our bye week with a fresh mindset and stronger collectively than we did coming into it."
Coach Hawkins is familiar with the upcoming opponent and recognizes the importance of a solid showing in their last home court matches of the year.
"Sask is a strong, veteran team that will put our team to the test. They are led by a couple key hitters on the outside and a gritty setter in CJ Gavlas, and coached by a former colleague of mine Nathan Bennett who has done a great job laying his imprint on the Huskies program. They are going to challenge us every rally and will demand that we earn our points. I expect two strong matches between two teams itching to enter the home stretch of the first semester on a positive note."
