KELOWNA, B.C. – Sydney Grills' record-breaking 26 kills propelled the UBC Okanagan Heat women's volleyball team to a five-set victory over the Thompson Rivers WolfPack on Friday night at The Furnace in the final weekend of Presidents' Cup action.
It would prove to be relatively evenly matched competition, with the two rival teams going back and forth on set wins with the first and third going to the Wolfpack 25-15 and 25-20 while the second was 25-22 for the Heat. The fourth set would be a pivotal moment in the match for the Heat, taking the set 25-23 and carrying the momentum into the fifth set.
The Heat women would kick off the fifth set with six unanswered points, including three service aces for Abigail Dueck (Winnipeg, Man.) and two kills for Grills (Vancouver, B.C.). Later in the set, Dueck would earn her 42
nd assist, finding Grills who hammered the ball into the TRU court to earn her 26
th kill of the match and setting up match point. Kendall Stephan (Springwater, Ont.) would finish off the match with a final kill for the Heat, who took the set 15-11.
TOP PERFORMERS
Sydney Grills – UBCO
Grills dominated the court in tonight's match, breaking the UBC Okanagan record for most kills in a single match with 26, besting the previous best record by two kills which was co-owned by herself and teammate Jade Bussard (Red Deer, Alta.). The 6-3 opposite also added seven blocks and six digs in her 30.5 point performance.
Ema Palkovicova – TRU
The outside hitter from Bratislava, SVK would be a leader on the TRU side, adding 18 kills in her 23 point performance.
WHERE THEY SIT
After the five-set win in the Presidents' Cup match, the Heat's record rises to 5-2 on the season while the WolfPack now drop down to 3-4.
PRESIDENTS' CUP
The win, combined with women's basketball's victory, gives the Heat a commanding 3-1 lead in the series with the WolfPack. The Heat need one victory on Saturday to win the Presidents' Cup for the second straight year.
UP NEXT
The Heat will be back at The Furnace on Saturday for the final Presidents' Cup match of the season, set to begin at 5 p.m. Tickets for the game can be purchased at the door on game day.