KELOWNA, B.C. – Propelled by solid performances from Seba Manuel and Renn Petryk, the UBC Okanagan Heat men's volleyball team forced the Mount Royal Cougars to a four-set match but ultimately could not secure the win on Saturday evening at The Furnace.
Mount Royal controlled most of the action through the first set, taking it 25-18, however the Heat began to push back in the second set.
The Heat broke an early second set tie to go on a four-point run, pushing into a three-point lead, 10-7, until the Cougars responded to tie the set up. Mount Royal would ultimately come out on top of the battle, thanks to an eight-point push, as they took the second set 25-17.
The Heat would come back to shine in the third set, including another four-point run to break a tie, putting the Heat ahead at 20-17. Thys Weststrate of Kelowna, B.C., and Renn Petryk of Edmonton, both contributed two kills each near the end of the set, setting up Seba Manuel of Kelowna, B.C., for the set-ending kill off the body of Mount Royal's Jacob van Geel of Calgary, as they took the set 25-20.
The Cougars responded in the fourth and final set, controlling the play despite the push back from the Heat, and taking the set 25-15 to sweep the weekend series.
TOP PERFORMERS
Seba Manuel – UBCO
The rookie outside hitter and hometown product contributed a consistently strong performance throughout the match. Manuel finished the night with 13.5 points, including four digs, one service ace, and 12 kills, one of which would be the winning point for the third set.
Chris Byam – MRU
The third year outside hitter of Bow Island, Alta., lead the Cougars with 26.5 points, including 23 kills as he hit .677 percent.
WHERE THEY SIT
With tonight's loss, the Heat's record falls to 0-2 while the Cougars remain undefeated at the top of the conference with a 4-0 record on the season.
UP NEXT
The Heat will return to the Furnace next weekend, November 4th and 5th, to face off with the Manitoba Bisons (1-3). The Friday night match is set to begin at 7 p.m., and the Saturday action will begin at 5 p.m. Tickets for both games will be available at the door.
