Box Score VANCOUVER – Despite starting off with a first set victory, the UBC Okanagan Heat men's volleyball team ultimately fell to sister school, the UBC Thunderbirds, in four sets on Friday night 25-20, 23-25, 22-25, 15-25.
The Heat would start off strong, dominating the court through most of the first set. The visiting squad would lead by as much as six points as UBCO held the home team at bay for the majority of the set. The Heat squad would close out the set 25-20 off of a kill by Noah Carlson (Sylvan Lake, Alta.), assisted by rookie setter Zach Van Geel (Calgary, Alta.).
It would be a similar start to the second set with the Heat going on a six-point run, putting them up 8-2 early on. Two of those eight points would come from Van Geel thanks to back-to-back service aces. The Heat would maintain their lead throughout the majority of the set until the T-Birds went on a four-point run to put them up 22-21. From there, the two sister schools would trade points until the 'Birds sealed the deal with a kill from Cole Brandsma (Abbotsford, B.C.), taking the set 25-23.
UBC kicked off the third set by going on a three-point run, although UBCO would not trail by more than a few points until the 'Birds began to pull away with another small run, putting them up 6-10. UBC would continue to increase their lead throughout the set, going up by as much as six points over the Heat, 23-17. The visiting squad would put the pressure on late in the set, coming within two points of stopping the 'Birds, but ultimately the T-Birds came out on top, 25-22.
Moving into the fourth set, the hosting squad would once again start off with a three-point run. The T-Birds would dominate for the rest of the set, denying the Heat a chance to tie it up and ultimately taking the set 25-15.
The ever-reliable Max Heppell would lead the Heat in the losing effort, putting up a total of 12 points consisting of 10 kills, two digs, and two blocks. Carlson would be close behind, contributing nine points with eight kills and two digs. Two Heat players, Jordan Simpson (Cranbrook, B.C.) and Kevin Jacklin (Kelowna, B.C.), would also contribute their first ever kills in Canada West action.
For the Thunderbirds, Michael Dowhaniuk (White Rock, B.C.) would lead the team with 19.5 points including 15 kills, three service aces, and seven blocks. Zarley Zalusky (Coquitlam, B.C.) would compliment Dowhaniuk's efforts, contributing 11 kills, two digs, and four blocks in his total 13.5 points.
The two teams will be back in action on Saturday evening, February 19, in Vancouver, giving the Heat a chance at redemption. The game is set to start at 4:30 p.m. and can be watched live on CanadaWest.tv presented by Co-op.
