Box Score LANGLEY, B.C. - The UBC Okanagan Heat women's volleyball lost to the top standing team Trinity Western Spartans in three sets (25-17, 25-20, and 25-18) on Saturday afternoon.
Looking to pick up a weekend split with Spartans as the two teams battle for top spot in the division, the Heat fell behind early to the hosts. However, UBCO stood their ground and never trailed by more than three points. Madelyn Hettinga of Kelowna, B.C., set the stage for UBCO Heat in the first set, scoring an early four kills against the Spartans.
But it was Dora Komlodi of Sherwood Park, Alta., scoring two aces later in the set, allowing the Spartans to take momentum back and further their lead to eventually take the opening set 25-17.
In the second set, Hettinga was once again at the top of her game for the Heat but her efforts were not enough to pull UBCO back into the match.
The final set saw the two teams locked in a close battled until a well-used timeout by the Spartans. The pause allowed the home team to regroup as they built a seven-point cushion to propel them to their second win of the weekend.
Hettinga was the story for the Heat in the game as she finished with team-high nine kills with a .667 hitting percentage, contributing 10 points for the Heat. Comparatively for Trinity Western, Meaghan Mealey of Calgary, contributed 11 kills, a .308 hitting percentage, and five digs for a total of 12 points.
Despite suffering their third straight loss, UBCO still hold down second place in the Canada West West division standings with a 6-4 record. However, the gap between the Heat and Spartans is now three games as Trinity Western remains in first place at 9-1.
The Heat return to the court on Friday, February 18th at 6 p.m., in Vancouver, B.C., against their sister school the UBC Thunderbirds. The game can be seen live on CanadaWest.tv.
