VANCOUVER – The second-ranked UBC Thunderbirds (4-0) will look to keep their perfect record intact as they welcome the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack (0-4) to the War Memorial Gymnasium for a pair of games this weekend.
This will be the second meeting between these two sides this semester, as the T-Birds played host to the Kamloops-based squad in exhibition action, where UBC sealed a 3-0 win. Since then, TRU began its Canada West campaign with bouts against the now sixth-ranked Mount Royal Cougars before facing the third-ranked Alberta Golden Bears.
"TRU is 0-4, but they've played two of the top teams in the country, so we know their record is not indicative of their strength," said UBC head coach
Mike Hawkins on the upcoming two-game set. "We saw them in pre-season and know they have the ability to really pour on the pressure."
For the second straight season, the 'Birds have started the year with four straight wins. Not only have they emerged victorious in those games, but they've done so in convincing fashion. At this point last year, the 'Birds had only dropped two sets; this year, they've surrendered just one. But what's most impressive about this hot start to the new campaign is the quality of competition on the other side of the net.
In fact, the 'Birds made program history with last weekend's sweep. The back-to-back straight-set wins marked the first time UBC swept a two-game series in Saskatoon against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
Despite losing multiple key players to graduation last year, it seems as though UBC has gotten even stronger since posting a 19-1 conference record in 2025-2026. The catalyst for this seamless transition has been the mix of returning and new-look players stepping up into larger roles and successfully filling those gaps left by departing T-Birds.
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Daniel Lewis,
Parker Ocampo, and
Danny Cravioto-Ross have done an incredible job of stepping in and showing the quality we've seen from them in training, even if they previously weren't getting huge opportunities. As well, the inclusion of
Wil Basilio has brought a steadying presence in all phases of the game, especially from the service line."
Another familiar face making an impact in the blue and gold lineup has been
Gavin Moes, and the fifth-year outside hitter has been on point in the small sample size so far this season. The Alberta native has posted double-digit kills in three of the team's first four games, combining for 42 total, and most recently boasted a .421 hitting percentage in the final match of the weekend to help lead the T-Birds to the historic sweep against the Huskies.
"The funny thing with Gav' is that I still feel like he's yet to hit his stride," mused coach Hawkins. "He's still producing at a really high level, and those expectations only come when you've proven year-in, year-out that you can be an absolute force in our league. He's become much more patient in all skills, especially attacking, which has allowed him to really shine through in the big moments when we've needed him. He's such a steadying presence for us, and that's been clear in all four matches thus far."
Danny Cravioto-Ross is another T-Bird, highlighted earlier by Hawkins, who has been a force at the net so far this season, as the third-year middle has averaged just shy of a block per set across the four games. But his impact isn't limited to the defensive end, as the Vancouver product has added a .394 hitting percentage to his stat line over that stretch.
With Moes, Cravioto-Ross and the rest of the roster looking to keep their solid production going to start the year, the T-Birds will turn their attention to TRU. With the visitors still seeking their first win to start the new campaign, coach Hawkins knows the WolfPack will be hungry when they take to the court this weekend.
"[TRU is] gritty, with some experienced guys on the floor who know how to produce in our league. It's going to require us playing clean, simple, and smart volleyball to ensure we can get the results this weekend."
The T-Birds hit the hardwood for their first matchup against the WolfPack on Friday, November 6 at 5:30 p.m. PCT at the War Memorial Gymnasium. The two sides will then suit up for more action the following day at 4:00 p.m. PCT on the Point Grey campus.
