Box Score KELOWNA, B.C. - On the strength of a massive performance from Sydney Grills, the UBC Okanagan Heat women's volleyball team rallied to a four set victory (22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-23) over the UBC Thunderbirds Saturday night at The Furnace.
A day after dropping their first game of the season, Grills, of Vancouver, ensured the Heat would head into the holiday break on a high note. The 6-3 outside hitter had a game-high 22 kills, the second highest mark of any player in Canada West this season, to go along with five total blocks as well as the match-clinching serve in the fourth set.
Despite the win, it was the Thunderbirds who took the first set as the Heat struggled with 12 combined errors in the frame.
Facing a deficit for the second consecutive night, the Heat put in a strong performance in the second set. However, they struggled to close out the set and needed to use six of their seven set points in the second stanza.
After their second set jitters, the Heat had no issues closing out the remaining two sets, overcoming a talented Thunderbirds squad to pick up their fifth win of the year.
The Heat got strong performances from across their roster including Jade Bussard of Red Deer, Alta., who hit .264 with 12 kills and added nine digs. Coming off the bench, the always enthusiastic Sadie Taylor-Parks from Kelowna, B.C., played a big role with five blocks and a pair of aces, giving UBCO energy when they needed it most.
The win gets the Heat back on track at 5-1 on their campaign, tying Trinity Western for tops in the West Division, while UBC's loss is their third straight weekend split as they now sit at 3-3 on the year.
Both setters, UBCO's Sara McCreary of Edmonton, and UBC's Kayla Oxland of Vancouver, each had 37 assists for their respective teams. McCreary helped out with 10 digs and a pair of aces for the Heat.
Okanagan out hit Vancouver .251 to .211 in the match.
The Heat will now break for the holidays and will return to the court for a matchup on the road against the UFV Cascades on January 14, 2022. All action can be watched live on CanadaWest.tv presented by Co-op.
