REGINA, Sask. – The No. 1 UBC Thunderbirds (18-2) dropped the first set to the Regina Cougars (2-20) Saturday afternoon but rallied back with convincing victories in the next three to win a seventh straight match at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport.

UBC had a balanced attack all night with four players getting double-digit kills and a .332 team hitting percentage.

Irvan Brar led the way with 12 kills and eight digs. Setter Byron Keturakis controlled the offence with 46 assists while also chipping in 10 digs and six blocks for the first of two double-double performances for the Thunderbirds. Fynn McCarthy had the other double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs.

Jordan Deshane and Joel Regehr each had 10 kills while being very effective with a .643 and .588 hitting percentage, respectively. Deshane was also a proficient defender with six blocks. Keith West contributed nine kills and a match-high five service aces. 

Regina won a close first set 25-22 hitting .429 as a team but it was all UBC after that. The Thunderbirds dominated the second set 25-15 and the third set 25-12. The Cougars played better in the fourth set but ultimately fell short and lost 25-20. 

For the Cougar offence, Matthew Aubrey had a team-high 12 kills. Jake Fleming collected 25 assists and six digs. Libero Dryden Wall had a match-high 11 digs. Dalton Wolfe added seven kills and six digs. 

The 'Birds return to the Lower Mainland next weekend for a home-and-home series against their cross-town rivals, the No. 2 Trinity Western Spartans in what promises to be a thrilling lead up to the upcoming Canada West playoffs.