The UBC Thunderbirds (15-7) will look to maintain their momentum in a tough test against the Calgary Dinos (17-5) to close out the regular season schedule on the road.

Winners of seven straight, the fifth-place 'Birds are just one win behind the idle Regina Cougars for a chance to host a Canada West quarter-final series, but UBC could also finish as high as third in the conference.

The decisive regular season series kicks off on Friday, February 15 at 11:30 a.m. PT and will conclude on Saturday, February 16 at 11:00 a.m. PT, both at Jack Simpson Gym.


 

Last Action

UBC swept the Winnipeg Wesmen in convincing fashion at War Memorial Gym last weekend, winning 3-0 and 3-0 to extend their impressive run of play and keep pace with the red-hot Regina Cougars. The Thunderbirds have won eight of their last nine matches, including a pivotal sweep of the No. 1 Trinity Western Spartans to get within reach of the top teams in the Canada West.

Calgary has split each of their last three series, most recently against the Mount Royal Cougars on the road. The Dinos defeated the Cougars 3-0 before falling in five sets to the ninth-place team last weekend.
 

Players to Watch

Olivia Furlan (#2, Setter/Outside Hitter) – The third-year Calgary product totaled 63 assists in six sets against the Wesmen last weekend and is third in the Canada West with 9.54 assists per set. Furlan is second in the conference, behind teammate Kiera Van Ryk, with an average 0.64 service aces per set.



Ciara Hanly (#9, Middle) – In her fifth and final season with UBC, the Calgary native has demonstrated dominance from the service line with just a single service error and 11 service aces in her last 12 sets of action. Hanly is second on the T-Bird roster with an average 0.74 blocks per set
 

Coach's take

The T-Birds couldn't ask for a much better opponent to help prepare them for the playoffs as they face a talented, motivated Dinos squad.
 
"The Dinos will be a tough team to play as they are a very talented and experienced group and have a number of very good offensive players including last year's U SPORTS player of the year in Kate Pexman," said UBC head coach Doug Reimer. "I am assuming they will be hungry, coming off a loss last weekend and the fact that they could still finish first or could drop to third in the standings."
 
With so many potential outcomes once the final weekend of the regular season is done, the 'Birds aim to simply focus on themselves and let the chips fall where they may.
 
"I have never seen a final weekend where there are no certainties in regards to who or where teams are playing in the first round of the playoffs," added Reimer. "So we will do our best to continue to play some volleyball and get ready for our likely first round opponent Regina and see if we can capture home court with a win."