WINNIPEG – The No. 4 UBC Thunderbirds hit an efficient 40 percent on Saturday night at Investors Group Athletic Centre, sweeping the Manitoba Bisons 3-0 (27-25, 25-23, 25-21) for a second straight game to up their win streak to 12 games. 

UBC is now 13-3 while Manitoba falls to 7-9. 

Outside hitter Matt Neaves led the way with 15 kills and a 48 percent attacking efficiency, while Manitoba was paced by Ben Carleton's ten kills.

"I would say our decision-making was key," Thunderbirds head coach Mike Hawkins said postgame. "That was a bit of our downfall last year, just with having so many first-year or young outsides. Oftentimes the decision making just isn't there. I thought that Neaves did an incredible job today of just mixing up the shots. I think he saw today that they gave him cross court quite a bit, so he used that and found times to hit down the line."

The first set mimicked that of yesterday's game, with play going to extra points. Once again it was UBC battling back late, overcoming a 20-19 Manitoba lead and numerous ties to win 27-25.



T-Birds backup setter Zec Johnson came in with his squad down 19-16 and made some huge plays. He recorded a critical service ace and facilitated the ball well, including two assists to the team's super sub Nick Mickelberry.

Manitoba countered with a balanced attack, led by right side Kevin Negus — the conference kills leader with 4.21 per set. He was particularly effective attacking to position one, while setter Jack Mandryk played well defensively with a block and also distributed the ball well to fellow outsides Ben Carleton and Owen Schwartz while adding two service aces.
The T-Birds once again came out on top in a back-and-forth second set. A consistent attacking efficiency was critical for UBC, who hit 44 percent entering the third.

Matt Neaves and Colton Liu — two of UBC's three outside hitters who are in the top 20 in kills per set — were huge. Liu had two kills but was just as valuable defensively with a solo block and five digs overall. Neaves hit 59 percent through two sets and had a game-leading 13 kills. 



Manitoba did a good job establishing the middle late in the set, particularly Darian Koskie who had two kills with his team down 20-18 and 21-20. A massive block from outside hitter Michael Dowhaniuk and middle Jordan Deshane — one of ten total team blocks for UBC — shortly after would shift momentum permanently in the visitor's favour however.

The T-Birds added five team blocks in the third set, fighting off a late run from Negus and effective sub Drew Kirk to take the third 25-21. Deshane was responsible for four assisted blocks during that span.

Next up for Manitoba will be a road tilt against Alberta while UBC is on the bye.