CALGARY – 2019 didn't start the way the UBC Thunderbirds had envisioned, suffering a straight sets loss to the Mount Royal Cougars (28-26, 25-23, 25-18) Friday night on Kenyon Court.
 
With an early three-point lead out of the gate, the T-Birds (7-6) utilized their momentum starting the first set of the night. Establishing an early lead worked in their favour as the Cougars (7-6) tried to fight back but were unable to tie the score.
 
Mount Royal called the first timeout of the game in an effort to regain ground, down 12-8. The Thunderbirds went on another roll following the timeout and UBC led by seven points, 16-9 at the technical timeout.
 
Showing no mercy to the Cougars, the Thunderbirds kept their foot on the gas pedal. Quickly falling behind even further, the Cougars used their second timeout at 21-12 in an effort to regain control of the set. A substitution helped the home side switch up their defence and slowly crawl back into the game.


 
After a run from the Cougars, the 'Birds used their first timeout, still up 23-18. Although things were looking down for Mount Royal, they turned their luck around and forced the Thunderbirds to call their second timeout, up by only one point at 24-23. After a missed attack by UBC, the Cougars took their first lead of the set, 25-24. Ultimately a serve from Mount Royal's Cassidy Kitchen won the set 28-26, completing the unlikely comeback.
 
Although they were coming off the win, the Cougars started the second set similar to the first. Yet again the Thunderbirds found themselves off to an early lead and were quickly up 12-7. After regaining the ball, Kitchen took MRU on a serving streak, slowly trying to close the gap created by the Thunderbirds.
 
The technical timeout had the Thunderbirds up by four, 16-12. Not finding much luck, the Cougars utilized their first timeout of the set down 20-13. The ploy worked and like the first set, they slowly started crawling in on UBC's lead. After closing the gap to only a three-point difference, the Thunderbirds called their first timeout up 21-18.
 
Finding great success in their front row defending, the Cougars continued to close in on the lead and an ace from Dholi Thokbuom tied the game at 22. After MRU scored the following point to take the lead, the Thunderbirds called their second timeout. For the second set in a row, the Cougars made an incredible comeback and won the set with a kill from Kitchen.


 
Utilizing their momentum from the win, the Cougars took their first early lead in set three. With Mount Royal up 5-0, the Thunderbirds called their first timeout early in the set. Although the Cougars kept their lead, they used their first timeout up by two, 9-7.
 
The Cougars stayed focused and earned back their five-point lead. An outside attack from Chantel Park got the home side to the technical timeout up 16-11. The Cougars kept the pressure on the Thunderbirds and were able to maintain the five-point lead they had created.
 
Just as in the first two sets, the match ended with a kill from Kitchen for a final score of 25-18.
 
"This is obviously a disappointing result, we had a great start in the first set and then gave up the huge lead and the second set was similar," said UBC head coach Doug Reimer. "Credit to Mount Royal for playing well at the end of both sets. We have lots to improve on moving forward and we will need to do a good job on our recovery for tomorrow."
 
Van Ryk led all players on the court with 16 kills while Carly Davies topped the Cougars with 11. Olivia Furlan had a game-high five service aces along with 23 assists. Rookie Kacey Jost led all players with 14 digs.
 
The 'Birds will attempt to gain the weekend split and get back in front of the Cougars in the Canada West standings in Saturday's rematch. First service goes at 4:00 p.m. PT.