KELOWNA, B.C. – Despite a close first set, the UBC Okanagan Heat men's volleyball team were taken down in three sets by the No. 5 Trinity Western Spartans on Friday night at The Furnace.
In the opening frame,
Seba Manuel (Kelowna, B.C.) and
Thys Weststrate (Kelowna, B.C.) would team up to deny an easy win to the Spartans. Manuel would block a Spartans attack, forcing the visiting squad into a timeout that would change the flow of the set in favour of the Heat. Moments later, Manuel would hammer down a kill to keep the Heat within one point of the TWU lead. Weststrate would follow Manuel's lead, earning two back-to-back kills to keep the set tied, first at 19-19, then 20-20.
Renn Petryk (Edmonton, Alta.) would carry on this momentum to once again tie the set at 21 a piece, but ultimately, the Spartans would deny the Heat a set win, taking the first 25-21.
The second set would be a change of pace from the first, with the Spartans breaking the 7-7 tie with a four-point run and refusing to concede the lead for the remainder of the set, landing a 25-17 win over the home squad and stifling the Heat's first set momentum.
The Spartans carried the same energy into the third set, taking control of the scoring early on and maintaining the lead through to a 25-15 finish.
TOP PERFORMERS
Thys Weststrate – UBCO
The 6-5 opposite would be a leader for the Heat, furthering his team's momentum in crucial points through the match. Weststrate would also contribute six kills while hitting .556, and one block, in his 6.5-point performance.
Mathias Elser – Trinity Western
The 6-6 setter out of Calgary, would lead his team in the winning effort, adding 10 kills, five service aces, and five digs for a 15.5-point performance.
WHERE THEY SIT
With the loss, the Heat's record now falls to 4-13 on the season while the Spartans improve to 12-5.
UP NEXT
The two teams will return to the Furnace on Saturday night with the match set to start at 3 p.m. Tickets for the match can be purchased at the door on game day.
