Matchup
The UBC Thunderbirds (2-8) are off to Calgary to take on the Mt. Royal Cougars (7-3) on Friday at 10:00 am and Saturday at 6:00 pm (PST) for their final Canada West series of 2018. UBC has demonstrated their developing talent and depth over the past few weeks of competition, and are gunning for even more positive momentum to finish to the calendar year. The last time these two team met was in preseason play at the Blue Team Cup tournament when the Cougars swept the 'Birds in three close sets.
Last Action
The T-Birds came off a bye week to earn a home court split last weekend against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, winning a tight 3-1 match last Friday before falling 3-1 on Saturday's Pride Night.
Michael Dowhaniuk totalled 23 kills, 9 digs and 3 aces over 7 sets of action while
Gerard Murray had 6 blocks with 14 kills over 8 sets. Libero
Tyson Smith moved into fourth in the Canada West with 80 total digs, picking up 18 against the Huskies.
Mt. Royal split their series with the Winnipeg Wesmen a week ago in Manitoba in a tale of two completely different matches. The Cougars won in straight sets on night one, but lost in straights the following evening to snap their five-game win streak. Fourth-year outside hitter Tyler Schmidt had massive 25-kill performance in the 3-0 victory, and continues to lead the Canada West with 191 kills and an average 4.9 kills per set so far this season.
By the Numbers
589.5 – UBC consistently battles through each game and are currently third in the Canada West with 589.5 points to date.
10.49 – The Cougars lead the Canada West with an average of 10.49 digs per set, and 409 total digs. Mt. Royal Libero Jonathan Phillips also tops the conference with 113 digs and is second with 2.90 digs per set.
Players to Watch
Michael Dowhaniuk – (#13, Outside Hitter) – The rookie White Rock product has averaged 10.25 kills over his last four matches, including his season-high 15 kills against Saskatchewan. Dowhaniuk is second on the 'Birds with 69 kills and 9 aces.
Gerard Murray – (#15, Middle) – Murray had his most productive match as a Thunderbird with a career-high 10 kills, a .571 hitting percentage, and 12.5 points in Saturday's tilt with the Huskies. The rookie now leads his team with a .391 hitting percentage in just 14 sets of action.
Coach's take
I thought the win on Friday was the result of concentrated and purposeful training throughout our bye week and the week of practice leading into the Sask weekend," said UBC Head Coach
Mike Hawkins. "We stressed a higher level of competition from our guys, and I thought that's what they brought really well on Friday. As these young athletes learned though, it's not easy in the Canada West to sweep a weekend series and I felt we didn't increase that compete level the way we need to. We know it's fully in our control, which should be empowering going into this final weekend."
Hawkins is confident his team will be able to compete with one of the Canada West's top teams.
"MRU is a strong receiving team and are led by Schmidt on the right side, but similar to how I feel going into every match we play, I know there are a number of things we can do to disrupt their rhythm and force them into uncomfortable situations. It's going to take a strong effort from everyone on our roster – athletes 1 through 15 and everyone on our coaching staff – to be all-in throughout training this week and into the weekend. Everyone has a valuable role to play on our team and we need everyone to excel in their respective role for us to continuing building and have success."
