VANCOUVER – On November 29th, 2025, the UBC Thunderbirds walked off the War Memorial Gym court following a 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Wesmen, their second in as many nights. They entered the winter break with a 9-1 record, ranked No. 1 in the country, and boasting an incredible streak of 22 straight home wins.
It's the T-Birds' best start to a season in nearly a decade, coming in the fifth and final year for libero
Logan Greves and setter
Mason Greves, identical twins and decorated stalwarts of the program who have been synonymous with UBC Men's Volleyball for the last half decade.
And the funny thing is, this wasn't the original plan.
"It was a tough process," reflects Mason on his and Logan's high school recruitment. "I mean growing up we played every sport together. We played volleyball, hockey, baseball, we'd go golfing together. So, it was a difficult decision when it came to university, do we want to spend the next five years together or not?"
Initially, the answer was no. Logan would go to UBC, having been really drawn to the program early on in the process. But Mason would head elsewhere, as they'd decided that university would be a branching off point for the two of them and a chance to have some different experiences.
"The recruitment was super unique," says Thunderbirds head coach
Mike Hawkins. "It just kind of seemed like they had already made up their minds of where each of them wanted to go, and they were very upfront with that. I actually think Mason might have been the one to tell me Logan was going to come to UBC."
However, one thing led to another, and not too long after their decisions Mason came to feel that he wasn't going to get the opportunity he'd been initially sold that he would if he stayed on his current path. Hawkins had made it clear that the door remained open for him to also become a Thunderbird, but the Calgary native felt he needed his brother to sign off on it if he was to join him there.
"Luckily Logan was the one who kind of let me come on this team. You know, he signed first and I didn't want to hold him back from new experiences, but at the end of the day he was happy for me to come to UBC with him."
"I mean thank god that he didn't go elsewhere," reflects Logan with a laugh. "My 18-year-old self definitely still needed my brother here, so I'm happy that it worked out."
One factor that also helped was a position change. Growing up, both twins played setter, running a hybrid system when playing together where they would both set and swing. It was only natural, considering their older brothers Maddux and Tanner both played setter at the U SPORTS and/or CCAA level, while their father and Volleyball Canada Hall of Famer Kent Greves set for Team Canada at the 1992 Olympics.
But after Logan came into his Grade 11 season having recently recovered from an elbow injury, he decided to try and play some libero to help take a bit of strain off the joint. As it turns out, he liked it, and as he played the position more he began to feel that – looking further ahead to the dream of a professional career – he might also have more pro potential if he made the switch permanent.
"When I was talking to Mike, he asked me the question if I wanted to continue setting or if I wanted to play libero on the team, and I ended up deciding to play libero," he states.
As a bonus, when he and Mason arrived at UBC in the fall of 2021, their separate positions provided a seamless way for them to share the court. And whether you want to call it "twin telepathy" or something else, there's definitely a natural chemistry that boosts their play.
"We've just played all these years together, since when we were watching our older brothers play club volleyball and we were on the side court peppering with each other," says Logan. "I think I just get the feeling of where he is in certain situations, like knowing his space without even looking that way…I know how fast I can move and I'd like to think we move pretty similarly, so I know his range a bit too."
"One thing is, you know, we keep each other accountable," adds Mason. "I think neither of us growing up wanted to be worse at a skill than each other. So naturally it pushed us every day. One thing we have that's pretty special is just being open and honest. I think it's tough sometimes to separate friendship and being competitive, but I think we've found that balance of keeping it competitive while also being open and honest with each other."
While their development hit a minor speed bump in the form of their final high school season being cancelled due to the pandemic, their talent was evident from the jump when they arrived at UBC.
"I'll never forget our training camp in their first year," reflects Hawkins. "Our first couple practices we're just doing mini games, some skills stuff, and I remember the two of them being outrageously good. And so many vets on that team would come up to me and be like, 'Holy shit these two are good, where did they come from?'"
Mason was thrown into the fire from the jump, as he took over the starting setter role in just the second match of conference play, compiling 30 assists, two digs, two blocks and two aces in a straight sets victory over the UFV Cascades. He ended the regular season fifth in the conference in assists per set (8.96) and was named to the Canada West All-Rookie Team.
"I wasn't expecting it," states Mason on what it was like to be a starter so soon. "Going into it, I was obviously nervous…I think coming in, you think there's a ton of expectations, but then you look at it with a broad lens and realize, 'Hey I'm a first-year, nobody expects me to be that good anyway'. So, I just thought let's go out there, be myself, and let's have some fun."
Logan, meanwhile, served as the third libero behind a pair of veterans in his rookie campaign, playing in seven matches. But with the two ahead of him in the depth chart both being fifth-years, he knew the runway would be clear for him to be the first choice as soon as the next season began.
"I was just focused on trying to get as good as humanly possible for the following year," he remembers. "Since we went through COVID, I didn't really have a full season playing libero. So, for me it was about having as much grace as possible and looking for long-term gains rather than maybe doing a little better in the short-term but building some shitty habits.
"I'd always ask the older guys questions, especially the other liberos…our fifth-years were great in terms of their competitiveness and just as people, they set a really good example for us. When they left I always tried to also be a good role model and be welcoming to our first-years, because I know how I felt in my first year, and those guys putting their foot forward and sticking up for us was a big, big thing."
After the shortened 2021-22 season, both of the Greves entered the following year as unchallenged starters, despite being in just their second year.
You could look at those first two years as somewhat of a gamble – roll with an 18-year-old as the starting setter from his opening weekend of Canada West play, and then enter the following season with the only non-rookie libero on roster being someone who was still not at all far removed from his first time actually playing the position. But Hawkins never doubted that the twins had what it took to be foundational pieces for the program.
"With Mason, it was clear that he was going to have some, like, tactical understanding that was going to require some work. But from a skills standpoint, he was so good," he says. "And with Logan, yeah obviously it was a big unknown, but you would watch him play and he would just see things that other people didn't, or see them faster, and he was always incredible defensively."
Things really began to progress in 2023-24, as the core of what would become this current season's most common starting seven began to form. Logan and Mason were joined in the starting lineup by explosive second-year outside hitter
Reeve Gingera, as well as a pair of CCAA transfers – second-year outside hitter
Gavin Moes from Lethbridge College and third-year middle blocker
Kieran Robinson-Dunning from Camosun College.
Moes brought plenty of immediate offence, with he and Gingera combining to average nearly 7.5 kills per set in their first season playing together, while Robinson-Dunning provided a steadying presence and vocal leadership, soon becoming team captain. Rookie outside hitter
Dawson Pratt also joined the program that same year, becoming a regular starter the following season.
On a young roster that didn't have a single player in either their fourth or fifth year of eligibility, the two Greves now found themselves as the veterans, helping lead a group that was gelling both on and off the court.
"We've got a very tight group," remarks Mason. "Days off, we're spending time together, and not with just a small group of guys…it's pretty cool to have a team you spend so much time with off the court, and I think it does translate very well on the court."
The wins certainly have followed, with the Thunderbirds so far improving their conference record in each year that the Greves have been on campus – 10-6 in 2021-22, followed by 15-9, then 16-8, 15-5, and now 9-1 at the halfway point of 2025-26 and the chance to extend that streak to a fifth season in a row.
The individual accolades have followed as well – back-to-back Canada West Libero of the Year awards for Logan in his third and fourth seasons, and Mason earning All-Canadian status in both of those same years.
Mason now holds the program's career Canada West assists record (3,517 and counting), after passing Milan Nikic on the opening weekend of this season. He currently sits fourth all-time in the conference's history with the chance to climb even higher.
The twins are also battling it out to see who will finish in third place on UBC's career digs leaderboard, trailing only Blair Bann and Ian Perry in that category.
While Logan has the edge in digs per set for his career (2.18, top 20 in Canada West history and best among all active players), Mason currently has a slim lead in total digs due to playing much more in their rookie season. He's also 66 away from passing Roy Ching (former Brandon Bobcats setter/outside hitter) for most career Canada West digs by a non-libero (739).
"I don't think any of their accolades are surprising, but it also definitely wasn't inevitable in the sense that they've obviously had to work really hard," says Hawkins. "I'm really grateful to have been part of their growth and their development, but those two have just worked their asses off to get to where they are now."
Of course, there have been a fair share of bumps along the road. That young 2023-24 team enjoyed an exhilarating playoff run, winning Canada West bronze on home court against Winnipeg to book the program's first trip to nationals in six years. There, they upset McMaster in the opening round before eventually defeating hosts Queen's for U SPORTS bronze.
Last year, however, came heartbreak, as the Thunderbirds fell to both Alberta and Saskatchewan in the Canada West Final Four despite leading at one point in both matches. That meant no medals, and no trip to nationals, a result that certainly stung but also served as motivation throughout the offseason.
"I think everyone knew in our locker room that we had a good chance of competing at nationals [last year] if we pulled it together well, but that's just not what happened," recalls Logan. "I know myself personally, I still have a hard time talking about last year but I'm just burning that off through training and hopefully beating everyone this time."
For Mason, while the highs and lows of the last couple years have been a roller coaster at times, he feels he's come through it with a more mature, and healthier, head on his shoulders.
"I think early on I was so focused on winning, and if I didn't win I'd be upset, I'd be quiet for the next two, three hours, I'd be pissed off" he says. "It definitely made me stressed out and suffer a little bit. But I came to realize that there's much more than just volleyball here.
"Winning adds to it, but being able to show up in an environment with some of my best friends every day is what brings me joy. I think I learned that in my third year, fourth year…it's mostly draining when you put that much pressure on yourself."
The growth during their time at UBC isn't limited to just the Point Grey campus either. The summers have provided plenty of highlights too. For Mason, that includes making his debut with the Canadian Senior Men's National Team this past June, taking part in the opening week of the FIVB Volleyball Nations League.
Featuring in four matches for Team Canada in pool play in Quebec City, the chance to suit up for the senior team (which also included UBC alumni Fynn McCarthy and Matt Neaves) was truly a milestone experience.
"It was a surreal moment," recalls Mason with a smile. "After the tournament, I just sat there looking into the crowd thinking, wow, this is such an incredible opportunity, and I fully realized what I want to do. I knew I loved volleyball, but you know, being in that moment made me realize how special and how unique of an opportunity I have here."
Logan, meanwhile, has spent his recent summers in a different way – working for the BC Wildfire Service to combat blazes in forests across the province.
The Natural Resources Conservation major first got that opportunity in 2023, choosing it over trying out for that summer's U21 National Team. Having previously represented Canada at the 2022 NORCECA U21 Pan American Cup (alongside Mason as well as Gingera), Logan could have fought for a spot on the 2023 Pan Am team as well as that summer's FIVB U21 World Championship, but didn't want to pass up the chance to work for BC Wildfire.
"I was like, man, my foot's right through the door right now," he explains. "I thought maybe I do this, and commit to the summer volleyball a little bit later when things are more serious with the Next Gen and the B Team and all that…I've never regretted it."
Stationed in Hope (and staying with older brother Maddux while there), the dedicated work ethic that's served Logan well in volleyball was very much needed over the summer.
"We'll work 14 days on, three days off, anywhere in the province…with me being stationed in Hope, we work fires in Coastal Zone, and then once that kind of clears up you're open to go anywhere in the province…you get to use the chainsaw, a lot of hosing, but it's long days. It's grimy, but it's really rewarding.
"Two summers ago when I was working, we went all the way north. I think it was maybe an hour and a half from Alaska. So, we drove like 14, 15 hours. We're at an oil camp and we're working 12 to 14 hour days and doing that for 14 days and then we come back and rest for our three and then see if we're getting sent out again…there are definitely mornings when you're up at 5:20 a.m., and generally I'd say I'm not a morning person but you've got to be, and you've got to love it."
Those summers – with Mason travelling across the country and internationally in the Canadian National Team setup, and Logan fighting fires across British Columbia – meant that the two of them spent some lengthy spells apart for the first time. That feeling of wanting new and different experiences that had driven much of their high school recruitment had begun to come true in a way, while still getting to go through university together.
Of course, that university experience comes with a deadline, at least on the volleyball side of things. And that's been part of the fuel for this season.
Of the seven most regular starters at the halfway point of the 2025-26 campaign, all but middle blocker
Alex Emery (a U SPORTS All-Rookie Team member last season) have played together for at least three years now. All but Emery and Pratt are in either their fourth or fifth year.
That young UBC core from two seasons ago is now the veteran core, with both of the Greves as well as Robinson-Dunning at least guaranteed to depart after this year. With the team ranked No. 1 in U SPORTS to begin 2026, the opportunity is there to win the program's first national title since 2018, and/or first conference title since 1986.
It certainly won't be easy – this semester begins with a trip to Saskatoon this weekend to take on the Huskies, the team that eliminated the Thunderbirds from national contention in last year's Canada West bronze medal match. The regular season ends with a home series against 11-1 UBC Okanagan, who have been the surprise package in Canada West to this point. Alberta and Trinity Western, both 8-2, will likely be major playoff obstacles as well.
"I'm just trying to enjoy my last year, enjoy my last time playing with these guys and playing in this gym," says Mason. "I think we have an awesome opportunity to win the national championship, but we've also got a bunch of good guys on our team that could win it next year as well…so rather than taking it as the national championship or bust, I take it as my last chance to play with these guys."
Logan is unafraid to plainly state his ambitions for this season, determined to do everything in his power to go out on a high.
"I'm going to work as hard as I can to make sure that we win, because you know damn well I want to win a championship. I can't finish my last year without a ring on my hand. And then after that I'll have some time to reflect and realize fully how special this team was, because I know it is but just even thinking about it is a little emotional to think of stepping away from the team.
"I wouldn't say we feel any, like,
pressure with it…but you put your heart and soul into it to try and win, and just hope that it pays off."
In just two months, that fifth and final U SPORTS volleyball season will be complete, and soon after that it will be time to move on from UBC. Both of the twins plan on going pro in the sport, with Logan potentially working another summer with BC Wildfire before heading overseas.
"I feel grateful that they're in this position, I feel grateful that we're in this position as a team, and I feel grateful that we're all doing this together," says Hawkins. "We have a bunch of really special individuals in our program, and I think it for sure starts at the top with our veteran guys.
"We can all be grateful for each and every day, getting to work together, getting to go through the trials and tribulations of Canada West competition, and just what it means to be a student-athlete at an institution like UBC. I think the more we choose gratitude, the more we're going to be able to enjoy these last few months."
For the Greves, these final months will more than likely mark their final matches spent playing on the same team week in and week out – for real this time. While the past few summers have given a trial run, Logan and Mason will be branching off in a bigger way after this season.
"It was definitely hard," reflects Mason on their time spent apart to this point. "I think we realized that, you know, the space is needed for our relationship, but it also helped to see kind of where we're at and how much I missed the guy every day.
"There are ways around it but in the future, like next year, I won't be around him as much. It's definitely saddening, but also exciting to have a new journey."
