The UBC Thunderbirds return home for the first time in 2019 to host the MacEwan Griffins Friday and Saturday, January 11 and 12 at War Memorial Gym.
 
The T-Birds (8-6) will be looking to earn meaningful points against a Griffins squad (7-5) that are just two points back in the Canada West standings with two matches in hand and five weeks remaining in the regular season.


 
UBC took on MacEwan in their third match of the season back in September exhibition action during the TRU Battle of the Border tournament, a match that saw the Thunderbirds win in five sets. The 'Birds have won five of their last six while the Griffins enter Friday night having won three of their last four.
 
First serve Friday is 6:00 p.m. PT with Saturday's rematch scheduled for 5:00 p.m. PT. Tickets are available online or at the door.
 
 

Last Action

A road trip to Calgary to take on the Mt. Royal Cougars last weekend was UBC's first conference action in nearly six weeks following the holiday break. After a tough 3-0 loss on night one, the T-Birds bounced back with a 3-1 victory thanks to a huge seven ace, 25 kill performance by Kiera Van Ryk. The second-year 'Bird and Canadian national team member also put up a team-high nine digs in the road win, while continuing to lead the nation in kills and kills per set.
 
MacEwan swept their last Canada West series with the Winnipeg Wesmen, winning 3-0 and 3-1 on home court to end November before taking part in three exhibition matches in Edmonton over the break. The Wesmen lost in five sets to Japan's NIFS Kanoya and then fell in straight sets to the Regina Cougars, but finished the year with a 3-1 win over Mt. Royal on December 30th.
 
 

Players to Watch

Jayde Robertsen (#1, Outside Hitter) – the second year Thunderbird served up two aces to go along with 10 kills and six total blocks in seven sets against the Cougars in Calgary a weekend ago. Robertsen's 33 total blocks are just two back of the T-Bird team high of 35.


 
Brynn Pasin (#19, Outside Hitter) – In her first season with the 'Birds, Pasin continues to develop as an attacking threat and had the second most total attacks (28) and kills (13) in UBC's 3-1 victory in Calgary. The rookie hitter also averages the third most kills per set on the T-Bird roster.