VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds (10-10) will look to officially clinch their ticket to the postseason on the road in Kelowna with a pair of matches against the UBC Okanagan Heat (6-14) beginning Friday, February 7, at 6:00 p.m. PT with night two getting underway Saturday, February 8, at 7:00 p.m. PT.
UBC is seventh in the Canada West with four matches remaining and are eight points clear of the ninth-place Calgary Dinos (6-14) and tenth place Heat heading into their final road trip of the regular season. The 'Birds could also improve their seeding, and are just four points back of the Saskatchewan Huskies (12-8) after an impressive series sweep last weekend.
UBCO is still well within reach of a playoff spot (just four points back of the Winnipeg Wesmen for the final berth) but will need to turn the tides on a six-match losing streak.
Last Action
The T-Birds swept the Regina Cougars (2-18) in straight sets on back-to-back nights thanks in part to a masterful weekend from Gabrielle Atteih. Named the Canada West's second star of the week, Attieh racked up 25 kills and a massive 12 aces with 11 digs over the six sets at War Memorial Gym. Olivia Furlan put up 49 assists and seven aces to go with 14 digs, while Jayde Robertsen contributed 11 kills with nine blocks and six aces in the weekend sweep. UBC is now third in the conference with an average 2.61 service aces per set.
UBCO has dropped six consecutive matches - most recently falling 3-1 and 3-2 to the third-place MacEwan Griffins (16-6) on home court. Hellen Lacava totalled 20 kills over the series with a whopping 27 digs in the two losses.
Coach's Take
"We're building better options offensively both in terms of running more options with more variation," said UBC head coach Doug Reimer after a pair of dominant victories. "We need to continue to find ways to score when receiving and in transition. Defensively and blocking...I think we have been working hard and hopefully we can find ways to do that against the Heat."
Reimer is looking forward to a tough battle against UBCO - as both teams have much to play for as the regular season winds down.
"This is a big weekend for both teams that have the potential to play well. They will be hungry to move back into a playoff position so it should be an exciting weekend."
