KELOWNA, B.C. – On Friday evening at The Furnace, the UBC Okanagan women's volleyball team were taken down by the No. 1 team in Canada, the Trinity Western Spartans, for the second straight day as they fell in straight sets after a five-set marathon on Friday.
 
The action opened up in favour of the Spartans as they took a 17-10 lead in the first set. However, the Heat would go on a six-point run, capped off with a kill by Jade Bussard (Red Deer, Alta.), to force TWU into a timeout. The push would fall short, however, as the Spartans were able to regroup after the timeout and close out the set 25-19.
 
The second set was much the same story as the Spartans once again controlled the scoring from the opening to secure a 25-18 set win.
 
Early in the third set, two back-to-back service aces by Bussard would boost the energy of the home squat as they found their footing. Capitalizing off the early lead, the Heat would maintain a distance of up to five points ahead of the Spartans. However, late in the set, the Spartans made a move to halt the Heat's rhythm, going on a seven-point run to take the lead by two points and then continuing on to end the set with a 25-22 win.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Jade Bussard – UBCO
The 6-0 outside hitter led the Heat in points during the evening match, tallying 10 which included seven kills, three aces, and seven digs.
 
Ansah Odoom – TWU
The 5-10 outside hitter from Surrey, B.C., would lead the Spartans' charge in the three-set match, contributing 13 kills, three blocks, and two service aces for a 16.5-point performance.
                                                                                                                                       
WHERE THEY SIT
With the loss, the Heat's record now falls to 8-10 on the season. They maintain their hold on eighth-place in Canada West with six games remaining in the regular season. The Spartans now improve their record to 16-2, remaining in the top slot in the conference.
 
UP NEXT
Next up for the Heat is a bye week after which the women will hit the road, taking on UFV in Abbotsford, B.C. on February 3rd and 4th. The matches are set for 6 p.m. and 5 p.m. respectively and all action can be watched live on Canada West TV.