EDMONTON – The UBC Thunderbirds showed some fight but suffered the weekend sweep at the hands of the MacEwan Griffins who took Saturday's weekend finale in four sets at the David Atkinson Gym.
Mckenna Stevenson and Lauren Holmes combined for a big block on Anna Price to end the Thunderbirds' evening, wrapping up a 25-21, 23-25, 25-17, 25-20 victory that improves their record to 11-5. UBC falls to 6-8.
UBC head coach Doug Reimer was looking for more battle from his team than they showed on Friday and he got it as the Thunderbirds limited the big runs MacEwan used to win comfortably in straight sets a night earlier.
"I think we worked hard in preparation because there were lots of things we need to get better at," Reimer said. "But the main thing is we wanted to make sure we were coming to bring our better selves. For large chunks of that we did."
Holmes was MacEwan's biggest difference-maker in the match as she changed the momentum multiple times, often powering it right through UBC's block. She led the Griffins with 13 kills on a .303 hitting percentage, adding a match-high 17 digs, three service aces and four blocks.
Hailey Cornelis added seven kills and three aces and 16 digs, while libero Rachel Jorvina played well in keeping multiple rallies alive in recording 14 digs.
UBC was led by Brynn Pasin, who nailed 10 kills with four blocks and eight digs. Veteran setter Olivia Furlan was in and out of the lineup in her second match of the season after recovering from an ankle injury, but still managed to record 30 assists. Tessa Davis, also in her second match of the season, was a difference-maker with nine kills.
But their inability to put away kills (a .061 team efficiency shows the evidence) as the Griffins extended rallies prevented UBC from posting a result.
"There were some rallies there where it was over three or four times," said Reimer. "Longer rallies, we're struggling to change things up or find a way to get the kill. That's where we needed to probably be a little better."
The T-Birds remain on the road next weekend when they head to Winnipeg to face the Manitoba Bisons Friday and Saturday.
