WINNIPEG – The defending U SPORTS National Champions have begun the 2024-25 Canada West season with an emphatic straight sets victory over the host Winnipeg Wesmen Saturday afternoon.

Veteran outside hitter Lucy Borowski set the pace with 12 kills and a .462 attack percentage while Akash Grewal racked up five service aces as the T-Birds made quick work of the Wesmen (25-19, 25-17, 25-23) at the Duckworth Centre.

"For the first match of the year, we had a lot of positive aspects to our play," said UBC head coach Doug Reimer. "Lucy (Borowski) had a great night attacking as did Joceyln (Lenarcic) who was very efficient. Akash had a strong night on the serving line and overall we served well. Our team blocking and defence is probably the area we need to improve upon tomorrow."

The opening set was back-and-forth tied at 11 apiece until the Thunderbirds went on a 7-1 run to open up an 18-12 lead. The Wesmen rallied to get back within four points at 22-18 before the 'Birds called a timeout to reset the troops. The strategy worked as the 'Birds allowed just one more Winnipeg point as they closed out the opening frame by a six point margin.
 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by UBC Women's Volleyball (@ubcwvb)

UBC's most efficient set of the afternoon saw the blue and gold out hit the Wesmen .258 to .194 in the second. Grewal began the frame with one of her six kills before back-to-back aces staked out an early 3-0 lead. The hosts did rally to briefly hold a lead at 8-7, but another 7-1 UBC run featuring yet another pair of Grewal aces put the 'Birds back ahead comfortably. The 'Birds closed out the set with five straight points including two Issy Robertshaw service aces.

The Wesmen showed some pushback in the third thanks to some strong offensive play by Jaya Dzikowicz who led Winnipeg with eight kills in the match. Some untimely UBC errors also led to a 21-18 Wesmen advantage before the 'Birds went on to secure their season opening victory with a 7-2 run.



Trinity Solecki and returning senior Olivia Furlan both contributed 10 digs for the T-Birds while Winnipeg's Taylor Cangemi led all players with 15.

The 'Birds will aim for a 2-0 start to the campaign with Saturday's rematch set for 11 a.m. PT at the Duckworth Centre. The match will be streamed live on Canada West TV.