Box Score ABBOTSFORD, B.C. - In a thrilling five-set match, the UBC Okanagan Heat women's volleyball team staved off three match points as they rallied to defeat the UFV Cascades 25-22, 22-25, 20-25, 25-19 and 17-15.
In a slow first set match, points bounced between the two teams until back-to-back kills from Jade Bussard propelled the Heat to take an 11-9 lead. The Heat dominated the scoreboard, denying the UFV Cascades the opportunity to catch up and take a lead, resulting in a 25-22 set win for the Heat.
Once again, the second start began with points bounced back and forth until three attack errors from the Cascades followed by two kills from the Heat allowed UBCO to pull ahead and take an early four point lead, 9-5. The advantage would be short lived for the Heat, however, as the home team found momentum and rallied to capture the second set.
UFV carried that momentum over to the third set as they strung together five early points to grab a lead they wouldn't relinquish in capturing the set and putting them in prime position to capture their first ever win over the Heat in Canada West play.
UBCO responded to the deficit in the best way possible as they put together six straight points from the get go of the fourth set, giving them an early lead.
Kendall Stephan of Springwater, Ont., and Natalie Funk of Strathmore, Alta., would put down two consecutive kills later in the set to ultimately put UBCO in a position to capture the fourth set 25-19 and send the match to a deciding fifth set.
The UFV Cascades fought for every point, finding a 8-3 lead early in the fifth set, which led to a technical time-out to give the Heat time to re-group. The Cascades managed to hold the lead until game point at 14-11 where Sydney Grills found the open court and scored two kills, closing the Cascades point gap. With all the pressure on the home team, the Heat managed to tie the game 14-14 and take the lead 16-15, finally wrapping up the match with a service ace from Grills.
Jade Bussard led the Heat's attack and defence contributing an outstanding 17 kills and 13 digs. For Bussard, a third-year outside hitter from Red Deer, Alta., the 17 kills were the most she's had in a single game thie season.
Alongside Bussard, Grills, a Vancouver native, showed a strong front for UBCO contributing 15 kills, 10 digs and two well-placed aces, including the game-winning point.
Amanda Matsui, from Coquitlam B.C., propelled the UFV Cascades attack with a game-high 25 kills on 45 attempts on Sunday evening, while adding 15 digs.
With the victory, the Heat improve to 8-5 on the season as they jump over the UBC Thunderbirds for second place in the West division. Meanwhile, the Cascades drop to 5-10 on the year.
The Heat will be back in action in Abbotsford B.C., on Monday, February 22 at 3 p.m. to compete once more against the UFV Cascades and wrap up their four games in four days portion of their schedule. All action can be watched live on CandaWest.tv presented by Co-op.
