VANCOUVER – The UBCO Heat men's volleyball team's first-set win of 2023 would not be enough for a victory as they fell in four sets to sister-school, the UBC Thunderbirds, on Friday night in Vancouver.
 
The match would start out well for the Heat, capitalizing off an early lead in the opening frame to bring it to a 25-20 close, followed by a second set full of neck and neck action that would ultimately result in a 25-23 set win for UBC.
 
Renn Petryk (Edmonton) would lead the charge for the Heat in the first set, contributing five kills out of his eight total for the match, the most out of any Heat athlete on the night. UBC would take notice of his strong first-set performance and would work to stifle his attack in the following three sets.
 
Coming off of a decisive third set win for the Thunderbirds, the Heat would find a second wind, attempting to force the home squad into a fifth set. The Heat were able to push the score to as little as a two-point gap late in the set when Ashton South (Calgary, Alta.) brought the score to 21-23, but ultimately, UBC would close out the set at 25-21.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Teo Ardanaz – UBCO
The 6-8 middle would lead the Heat in the contest, hitting .400 with six kills. Ardanaz, a product of Tsawwassen, B.C., would also tally one service ace and seven blocks in his 11.5-point performance.
 
Michael Dowhaniuk – UBC
The 6-5 outside hitter from White Rock, B.C., led the Thunderbirds in their winning efforts with an 18-point performance, contributing 15 kills, six blocks, and nine digs.
                                                                                                                                       
WHERE THEY SIT
With the loss, the Heat's record now falls to 4-11 on the season while the Thunderbirds improve to 9-6.
 
UP NEXT
The two squads will be back in action on Saturday evening with the match set to start at 6:45 p.m. All action can be watched live on Canada West TV and on TELUS Optik TV Channel 1997.