VANCOUVER – A new season is set to begin for UBC basketball on Friday, as the women's team kicks off the campaign at home against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns at 5:30 p.m. (PT) at War Memorial Gym. The two teams meet again on Saturday for a 4:00 p.m. (PT) start.
The T-Birds are coming off of an 11-9 regular season in 2022-23 that saw them win a post-season play-in game against UBCO, but fall in the quarterfinal to Saskatchewan. Ranked sixth in this year's Canada West pre-season coaches poll, the 'Birds have excellent roster continuity from last season and a new leader setting the tone. Isabel Ormond will be making her UBC regular season debut as the team's new head coach, arriving at the school after six years as the lead assistant for the Alberta Pandas.
"Fans can expect a focused, competitive, and energetic team," said Ormond. "This is an incredible group of people and players, most returning, and I am excited to help support their growth. UBC was one of the top defensive teams last year. We plan to build on that by improving our offensive options in different ways."
The T-Birds were tied for the fewest points allowed in the conference last season, and with only two new recruits joining the roster, the team has an opportunity to keep its smothering defence strong. If that could be paired with an uptick in scoring, the blue and gold should be competing for their first conference title since 2015.
Ormond, however, who won last year's Canad West championship with Alberta, is focused on an even bigger goal.
"The easy answer for (what would make a successful year for) competitive programs is always top four in the conference and qualifying for nationals," commented the first year head coach. "We will focus on our goals throughout the season to give us the best chance at making a run through playoffs. It's a long season of development, and we will keep playing to learn. For us, it will be about being as strong and connected as we can leading into playoffs."
Olivia Weekes is the player to watch for UBC heading into the season. Last year's breakout star led the team with over 15 points and nearly eight rebounds per game. Only entering her third season, the Winnipeg native has the size and athleticism to play and guard any position. Weekes' malleability could prove key in allowing the T-Birds to uncover their next breakout player to co-star alongside her and help form the team's offensive identity under their new head coach.
The T-Birds' first opponent of the year is relatively unfamiliar foe, as the blue and gold have not faced the 'Horns in a regular season matchup since 2019. Lethbridge finished last year 7-13 and missed the playoffs, but that was coming off of a Canada West Final Four appearance the year prior.
"The Lethbridge Pronghorns play hard and will keep pushing until the game is over," commented Ormond. "We can expect this to be high-paced game. Our main focus will be controlling the ball, both offensively and defensively."
UBC plays a very road-heavy first half of their season, with a single home game against Victoria on November 25
th representing their only other game at War Memorial Gym before the holiday break. Stream every matchup live or on demand on
Canada West TV. Tickets for home opening weekend are still available
here.
