VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds (8-8) return home this weekend to host the No. 2 Trinity Western Spartans (16-2) in a tough two-game series at War Memorial Gym. The T-Birds are coming off their first series sweep since mid-November, while the Spartans just saw their U SPORTS ranking fall from the top spot for the first time this season.
Game one goes Friday, January 24, at 6:00 p.m. PT and will include a special recognition for this year's recipient of the Amanjit Payer Memorial Scholarship in front of Payer's family and dedicated alumni.
The annual Pride Night event gets underway on Saturday, January 25, at 5:00 p.m. PT for game two of the back-to-back series. Every year, UBC partners with the Vancouver Gay Volleyball Association to put on an action-packed evening to celebrate inclusivity and LGBTQ+ pride. Festivities include a lip-sync battle, a drag volleyball game, a 50/50 draw and more!
UBC is tied with Winnipeg (8-10) for the eighth and final Canada West playoff berth, but have two games in hand on the Wesmen and four weekends remaining in the regular season. Trinity Western is one of three teams in the conference to have already clinched their spot in the postseason as they sit atop the Canada West.
Last Action
The 'Birds swept the last-place Manitoba Bisons (2-16) 3-0 and 3-1 on the road last weekend - snapping a five-match winless streak. Gabrielle Attieh had a massive series for UBC and totaled 26 kills with 11 blocks over seven sets. Fifth-year senior Anna Price also had an impressive showing in Winnipeg, racking up 22 kills with four aces and 18 digs. Veteran setter Olivia Furlan and graduating senior Tessa Davis will make their home debuts against Trinity Western as they enter their third week back in Canada West action. Furlan had 73 assists, five aces and 17 digs last weekend, while Davis recorded 13 kills with three aces and three blocks.
Trinity Western is coming off a 3-0, 3-0 sweep of the UBCO Heat (6-10) and currently lead the Canada West in kills per set (12.50), hitting percentage (.263), service aces per set (2.78), blocks per set (2.67) and points per set (17.9).
Coach's Take
UBC head coach Doug Reimer is looking forward to celebrating a particularly meaningful Pride Night event on Saturday in front of a packed crowd at War Memorial Gym.
"Pride Night is a statement that UBC Athletics is committed to being a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students and community. There are still a lot of areas for improvement - given that studies show that there has been significant decline in LGB teen sport participation and a very high percentage of gay and lesbian athletes do not disclose sexuality to the team. This year, I'm personally thinking of coach and mentor Sandy Silver who passed away last fall. She was a trailblazer as a coach, administrator and leader through several decades when sport and society were considerably less tolerant."
Reimer also recognizes the challenge ahead against a Spartans' team that has dominated the Canada West all season.
"We'll have to bring our 'A' game as TWU has a lot of weapons. Hillary Howe is their offensive leader but they get a lot of production from other players as well. We will need to serve and attack aggressively and we will expect the same from them."
