Game Times
Canada West conference matches
FRIDAY, NOV 11th:
6 PM | (#2) Volleyball (W) (2-0) vs the Manitoba Bisons (2-2)
Webcast | Live Stats
SATURDAY, NOV 12th:
5 PM | (#2) Volleyball (W) vs the Manitoba Bisons
Webcast | Live Stats
Both games @ UBC Okanagan Gymnasium
#2 UBC OKANAGAN HEAT (9-2, 2-0 Canada West)
CIS National Ranking: No. 2
CanWest Standings: T-3rd
Last week: bye
Streak: 2W
2014-15 Record: (34-4, 22-2) (1st)
2015 CanWest Playoffs: 1-1 - Silver
2015 CIS Tournament: 2-1 - Bronze
Last CanWest Title: N/A
Last CIS Title: N/A
This week for the Heat: Coming off of a bye weekend, the Heat women's volleyball team will be looking to pick up where they left off as they will defend their home court against the University of Manitoba this weekend. The two squads will open the weekend on Friday (Nov. 11) with a game that will begin at 6 p.m. First serve of the second match between the two teams will be played Saturday (Nov. 12) with a start time of 6 p.m. Both the games will take place at the UBC Okanagan gymnasium.
Current Form: With their home opener two weeks ago, UBC Okanagan began their season off with two quick wins to Brandon. With the first game going to four sets and the second game UBCO was able to win in just three sets and the Heat are (2-0) on the season and in the second place standing in the Canada West and ranked second in the country. With a weekend off the Kelowna squad is rested and ready to return to their home court for the second time this season.
Key Players: With only two games played so far this season it has been senior outside hitter Megan Festival leading the way for the Heat so far. The management student has a team high 22 kills on the season, also adding 18 digs, and eight service aces. In her final year of play the Calgary product is off to a great start. Following Festival is Siobhan Fitzpatrick with 20 kills and 12 digs who has moved into m0ore of a role this season with six players graduating from last season.
Team Stat: With two games under their belt, the Heat are averaging 2.86 service aces per set putting them third in the country.
Overall Head to Head vs MAN: The Heat currently lead (10-2) against University of Manitoba, and swept the Bisons in last years match up in Winnipeg.
2015 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 17.1, 3rd
Kills per set: 12.61, 2nd
Hitting percentage: .240, 2nd
2015 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 277, Brianna Beamish, OH
Digs: 310, Kailin Jones, L
Blocks: 83, Katy Klomps, M
Aces: 38, Brianna Beamish, OH
Assists: 699, Emily Oxland, S
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Quinci Birker / OH / 1/ Kelowna / Team BC Beach
Aidan Lea / M / 2 / Kelowna / University of Colorado
Natalie Livingston / S/RS / 1 / Kelowna / Junior Heat
Sara McCreary / S / 1 / Edmonton / Pandas Volleyball Club
Sydney McKinlay / OH / 1 / Penticton / Junior Heat
Jennifer Oakes / L / 1 / Calgary / Canada Sitting Team
Brooklyn Reynolds / M / Regina / Miller Comprehensive
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Brianna Beamish / OH / Surrey, BC / 5
Kailin Jones / L / Kelowna, BC / 5
Katy Klomps / M / Surrey, BC / 5
Katie Wuttunee / M / N. Vancouver, BC / 4
Chamdler Proch / S / Kelowna, BC / 5
MANITOBA BISONS (2-2 Canada West)
CIS National Ranking: N/A
CanWest Standings: T-4th
Last week: 2-0 vs. Regina
Streak: 2W
2015-16 record, conference: (3-21, 3-21), 12th
2016 CW playoffs: DNQ
2016 CIS tournament: DNQ
Last CW title: 1971
Last CIS title: 2014
Bisons: On Friday the Heat will play the University of Manitoba, fifth in Canada West, the Bisons just took two from the visiting Regina Cougars.
Current Form: The Bisons are .500 after two weekends of play. After dropping two in Calgary top Mount Royal they returned home to handle the Cougars, (3-0) and a (3-1) wins. Manitoba will be looking for their first win against the Okanagan squad since October of 2011.
Key Players: Junior, Tori Studler is leading the way for the Bisons with 51 kills on the season, she is 23rd across U Sports for that category. Studler also has 35 digs and two services aces, making her a vital asset on the court for the Bisons. Following Studler is Kearley Abbott with 47 kills and 28 digs.
Team Stat: The Bisons are a relentless team on offence and have made 197 kills so far this season, making them eighth across U Sports for that category. With an impressive ability to attack the net, the Bisons are also a selfless team and have 174 assists so far this season.
Preseason key performers: (Caleigh Dobie and Cassie Bujan / Liberos / 5th-year and 3rd-year / Winnipeg, MB and Anola, MB) Both libero players have been an integral part of the Bison program and give flexibility at the position. The pair give new head coach Jon Hykawy important flexibility at the position.
Dobie is a returning fifth-year veteran who will be a team captain for a second consecutive season and was part of the Bisons' winning the CIS national championship in 2013-14. She was injured for some of last season, but looks to be a major force again in her final season at Manitoba.
Bujan played in all the Bison matches in 2015-16 and added experience at the position when Dobie was not available. She registered a team-high 192 digs and six service aces in her sophomore season and added depth to a young squad.
Both players will be leaned upon to provide strength on and off the court, as Manitoba pushes hard to secure a playoff spot in the ultra-competitive Canada West conference in 2016-17.
2015-16 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 12.7, 12th
Kills per set: 9.65, 12th
Hitting percentage: .120, 12th
2015-16 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 179 – Tori Studler, LS
Digs: 192 – Cassie Bujan, L
Blocks: 80 – Sarah Klassen, M
Aces: 20 – Kalena Schultz, LS
Assists: 393 – Sydney Booker, S
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Kearley Abbott / RS / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Cobras Club
Josie Abbott / LS / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Cobras Club
Jocelyn Koswin / M / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Cobras Club
Courtney Kowk / L & S / 2 / East St. Paul, MB / Shock Club
Darby Coughlin / RS / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Bison Club
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
None
