KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBC Thunderbirds moved one win closer to clinching a playoff spot with a three-set victory over the UBC Okanagan Heat on Friday night in the UBC Okanagan Gymnasium.

An efficient attack and strong service would be the difference in the match, as the 'Birds can clinch a playoff spot with a victory tomorrow night. 

With the loss, the Heat (6-15) will now need to win two of their last three matches to have any chance at making the postseason.

The match featured two of the top-four serving teams in terms of aces coming into the night, and the T-Birds would win the battle, finishing with 11 compared to just four for the Heat.

Cara Kovacs would finish in double-figures for the 'Birds in terms of kills with 11, while middle Gabrielle Attieh had seven of her own along with four total blocks. 

Setter and outside hitter Natalie Livingston would lead the way for the home squad, racking up nine kills, nine assists and four digs for the Heat.
 

In the first set the visiting T-birds were up 16-11 at technical timeout thanks to a set of kills by Kovacs. Jayde Robertsen would add four kills on top of the visiting team's four service aces as UBC took the first set 25-17. 

To start off the second set, the T-Birds went on a 7-0 run as the Heat struggled to halt their sister school's attack. The Heat trailed 16-5 at the technical timeout and UBC's 6-0 run, powered by a pair of kills from Kayla Oxland, would to close out the second set 25-10. The Thunderbirds had a hitting percentage of .600 in the set, and .341 for the match.

The Heat pushed back in the third set with a pair of kills and service aces that would kickstart a comeback as they tied the game twice through the set at 18-18 and 19-19. 

The attempted comeback was led by Livingston, Hellen Lacava, and Amaya Perry, however, the push would fall short as UBC took the final set 25-23 with Attieh providing the final kill.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday night at 4 p.m. PT in the UBC Okanagan Gymnasium in Kelowna.