VANCOUVER - As their playoff push continues, the UBC Thunderbirds (8-10) host the Regina Cougars (2-16) for a two-game series at War Memorial Gym on Friday, January 31, at 7:00 p.m. PT and Saturday, February 1, at 7:00 p.m. PT.
The T-Birds are tied with Winnipeg (8-12) for the eighth and final Canada West playoff berth, but have a chance to earn some separation this weekend - with the Wesmen on a bye. Calgary and UBCO are both just four points back of the 'Birds and the Wesmen with three weekends remaining in the regular season, so each result is crucial for the T-Birds down the stretch.
Gabrielle Attieh continues to lead UBC with an average 3.40 kills per set, good for third in the conference, while contributing a team-high 4.1 points per set. Olivia Furlan has come back from injury and made her presence felt for the 'Birds - in just six matches this season, the fourth-year setter is averaging a team-high 7.48 assists per set.
Regina enters this weekend on a seven-match losing slide and are twelfth in the conference standings.
Last Action
UBC was swept by the Canada West-leading Trinity Western Spartans (18-2) at War Memorial Gym in front of a packed crowd. The Spartans won 3-1 in game one, but Attieh had 12 kills with three aces and two blocks over four sets. Game two was during the energetic Pride Night festivities when TWU earned a 3-0 victory. Brynn Pasin had eight kills and six digs in the loss, while Furlan tallied six aces.
The Cougars lost back-to-back matches to the Saskatchewan Huskies (12-6) last weekend, falling 3-1 on night one before responding with a tough 3-2 loss the following evening on the road to extend their winless streak to seven matches.
Coach's Take
"We're looking forward to getting back on home court especially after two straight road trips and the fact that we went two months without playing at home," said UBC head coach Doug Reimer as his team looks to get back in the win column. "I'm really looking forward to see if we can play at a high level consistently for the two nights. I see a lot of players competing hard in training and hope that we can bring that depth to help us on the weekend.
Reimer isn't underestimating the Cougars, despite their recent slide.
"I think their team has the potential to be significantly better than their record shows, so they aren't to be taken lightly. For example last weekend they battled Saskatchewan hard before losing in 5 sets. Their top outside hitter Jessica Lerminiaux has missed matches but seems to be healthy and that adds depth to their offense."
