VANCOUVER – On Saturday night in Vancouver, the UBC Okanagan Heat men's volleyball team was taken down in three sets by sister-school, the UBC Thunderbirds, despite a season-high performance from Heat rookie
Lucas Woelders.
The action would open up with an evenly matched first set. Both teams would be battling for dominance over the scoring with neither team able to secure a lead greater than three points. UBC would ultimately come out on top of the neck-and-neck battle, taking the set 25-23.
The second set would be an entirely different story, starting with a seven-point run for UBC and resulting in a 25-13 set win for the Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds' momentum would continue into the third set as they once again maintained their early lead through to the 25-15 set finish.
Despite this, Heat rookie
Lucas Woelders (Langley, B.C.) would lead his squad in a late-game push back against the Thunderbirds' attack, contributing two kills and a service ace in the Heat's last scoring plays of the match. Woelders, a 6-5 outside hitter, would have his best performance in a Heat jersey and lead the Heat in points, contributing seven total kills, one service ace, one block, and two digs for an 8.5-point match.
TOP PERFORMERS
Thys Weststrate – UBCO
The 6-5 opposite from Kelowna, B.C. would contribute five kills, three blocks, and two digs for a 6.5-point performance. Two of the three blocks would come at crucial points in the first set as the Heat fought the Thunderbirds for control of the score.
Reeve Gingera – UBC
The Calgary product would lead his team in the winning effort, adding 11 kills and two blocks in a 13.5-point performance.
WHERE THEY SIT
With the loss, the Heat's record now falls to 4-12 on the season while the Thunderbirds improve to 10-6.
UP NEXT
The Heat will return home next weekend as they are set to take on the defending Canada West Champions, the Trinity Western Spartans. The match is set to start at 5 p.m. and tickets for the game will be available at the door.
