WINNIPEG - The UBC Okanagan Heat's men's volleyball team fell to the Winnipeg Wesmen on the road in three straight sets (25-19, 25-21, 25-22) on Saturday evening.
Starting the first set off strong, the two teams had no separation, trading points back and forth until a string of five points gave the Wesmen a lead the Heat were unable to come back from. Renn Petryk (Edmonton) led the Heat in the first set, putting down six of six attack attempts for an overall .455 hitting percentage leading the Heat offensively.
Winnipeg took their momentum from the first set and rolled it over to the second, jumping out to a quick 8-3 lead. Kelowna, B.C., product Seba Manual tried his best to pull UBCO back into the set, finding four of his ten kills in the second, but the Wesmen ultimately doubled their lead by taking the set 25-21.Â
Zach van Geel (Calgary), the second-year setter who took on right-side for the evening, gave the Heat a chance in the third set, nailing down two kills and eleven assists until a late game push gave the Wesmen the three-set win.
TOP PERFORMERS
Seba Manuel - UBCOÂ
The first-year outside hitter led the Heat in kills, finding ten on Saturday evening to go along with four digs.
Nigel Neilsen - Winnipeg
The 6-5 senior and outside hitter from St. Andrews, Man., was a dominant player in the Wesmen's win firing a match high of 19 kills. Neilson also put down two serving aces and six digs for a total of 22 points.Â
WHERE THEY SIT
After the loss, the Heat drop to 4-6 in the Canada West standings whereas in the other corner, Winnipeg moves up to a 6-4 standing.Â
UP NEXT
UBCO return to the court next weekend, Friday, December 2nd, to compete on the road as they kick off a doubleheader weekend against the Saskatchewan Huskies. Game time is set to start at 4 p.m. Pacific and can be seen live on Canada West TV.
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