Win, and they're in. Riding high on a 2019 resurgence, the UBC Thunderbirds (9-11) are now just one win away from clinching the eighth and final Canada West playoff berth with two games remaining in the regular season.
The 'Birds head out on the road to face the Calgary Dinos (10-10) in a pair of early matches on Friday, February 15 at 10:00 a.m. PT and Saturday, February 16 at 12:30 p.m. PT in full control of their post-season fate.
UBC is four points clear of both Winnipeg and Manitoba for the final playoff spot while the Dinos are two points ahead of the T-Birds in a three-way tie for the fifth, sixth and seventh seeds. In the event of a tie, seeding will be determined by number of sets won.
The Thunderbirds last faced Calgary in an exhibition tournament in late December when the Dinos earned a 3-1 win in Kamloops. Exactly two weeks later, UBC kicked off the new year with a five-set win over MacEwan and have gone on to win seven of their last eight outings.
Last Action
The 'Birds won two crucial matches against the Winnipeg Wesmen at War Memorial Gym last weekend, 3-1 and 3-1, to gain much needed separation in the playoff push.
Calgary has already booked their ticket to the post-season, but are coming off a pair of road losses to the Mount Royal Cougars (3-1 and 3-0).
Players to Watch
Michael Dowhaniuk (#13, Outside Hitter) – The rookie hitter is a major focal point of the Thunderbird attack, but has also demonstrated an ability to step up in other facets of the game. Last weekend against Winnipeg, Dowhaniuk recorded season-highs in digs (nine), total blocks (three) and assists (four).
Ben Hooker (#6, Setter) – In his first season with UBC, the second-year setter is averaging nearly 10 assists per set (good for fourth in the Canada West) and is also in the top ten with 0.34 service aces per set.
Coach's take
Despite all that's on the line for the 'Birds, they're striving to remain focussed on the present.
"We are looking to treat this week like any other week, despite where it sits at the end of the season and what might be based on results," said UBC head coach
Mike Hawkins. "We preach having a one-point mentality in matches and in training, so for us, it makes sense to apply that same principle to how we prepare for each opponent. Our process is going to be the same, our attention to detail the same, and the attitude we go in to the weekend being the same."
Hawkins is expecting the Dinos to play hard in the final weekend of Canada West action, despite already clinching a playoff berth.
"They are part of the group of four teams occupying the five through eight seeds who can make some moves in the standings, so I expect them to play with the same grit that they always play with."
