The UBC Thunderbirds will ride their hot streak into the Langley Events Centre to face the No. 2 ranked Trinity Western Spartans in a Canada West best-of-three quarter-final series beginning Thursday, February 21.
 
After winning nine of their last ten outings, the No. 9 'Birds claimed the seventh seed, and a playoff berth, on the final weekend of the regular season. Meanwhile, the Spartans were formally ranked No. 1 and had been atop the Canada West all season long, but slid to second place.


 
Although Trinity Western has won seven straight heading into the postseason, their last loss came at the hands of the youthful T-Birds who earned an impressive split in their series with the Langley powerhouse a month ago. That loss to the Spartans was UBC's sole defeat of 2019 as they finished conference play on a four-match win streak.
 
The opening match of the quarter-final is set for 8:00 p.m. PT Thursday with the second match scheduled for 8:00 p.m. PT on Friday. If necessary, the third and final match of the series will go at 8:00 p.m. PT Saturday, all at the Langley Events Centre.
 

Last Action

The Thunderbirds clinched their playoff berth with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Calgary Dinos last Friday before toppling the Dinos in straight sets the following evening to leapfrog Calgary in the standings. Rookie standouts Matt Neaves and Michael Dowhaniuk led the way generating 31 and 34 kills respectively, while also impressing defensively. Neaves totalled eight blocks and 13 digs through eight sets, as Dowhaniuk put up four blocks with 12 digs.
 
Trinity Western swept the Manitoba Bisons, 3-0 and 3-1 a weekend ago to finish the season with an 18-4 record, entering the playoffs on a seven-match win streak. 
 

Players to Watch

Matt Neaves (#11, Outside Hitter) – The dominant first-year has been impressive in his first 12 matches with the Thunderbirds, leading the team with an average 3.42 kills per set and having the third most digs per set with 1.22. Neaves is also second on the roster with 0.87 blocks per set in his rookie season.


 
Danny Aspenlieder (#12, Outside Hitter) – Aspenlieder has stepped up down the stretch for UBC in Coltyn Liu's absence. The third year attacker contributed 20 kills, 16 digs and three service aces in last weekend's sweep of the Dinos.