WINNIPEG – UBC Okanagan Heat women's volleyball setter Abigail Dueck set a new team record for assists in a four-set match on Saturday but it wasn't enough to lift her team past the Winnipeg Wesman as the Heat lost their third game in a row.
The action would open up with a 25-16 first set win for the Heat, who would control the lead throughout the set. The Heat would lead by as much as nine points (23-14) after a four-point run kicked off by a kill, assisted by Dueck, a native of Winnipeg who was back playing in her hometown, and a pair of service aces by Sydney Grills (Vancouver).
The momentum would shift in favour of the hosting Wesmen after the first set, however, as the home squad took the next three sets, (25-16), (25-21), and (25-20). UBCO would attempt to battle back against the Wesmen, pushing back late in the third and fourth sets, coming as close as a tie in the fourth.
After being down by seven points, 7-14, in the fourth set, the Heat went on a four-point run, including three assists and one service ace for Dueck and two kills for Grills, bringing the score to 11-14. From there, the Heat were able to hold the hosting squad to no larger than a three-point lead until the Wesmen broke away on a four-point run to close out the match.
TOP PERFORMERS
Abigail Dueck – UBCO
The third-year setter would set a new Heat record with her 53-assist performance, breaking the previous record of 51 assists that was set in the 2012-13 season. Dueck would also add a service ace, four blocks, and five digs on top of her record-breaking showing.
Emma Parker – Winnipeg
The St. Adolphe, Man., product would lead the Wesmen in their winning efforts, contributing 18.5 points including 17 kills and 11 digs.
WHERE THEY SIT
After the four-set loss, the Heat's record evens out at 5-5 as they sit in a tie for seventh in the Canada West conference. Meanwhile, Winnipeg moves ahead of the Heat to 6-4 which is tied for fourth in the conference.
UP NEXT
The Heat will remain on the road next weekend, heading to Saskatchewan for a weekend matchup against the Saskatchewan Huskies on Friday and Saturday night. The Friday match is set to begin at 6 p.m., followed by the Saturday action at 3 p.m, all times Pacific. The action can be watched live on
Canada West TV.
