KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBC Okanagan Heat men's volleyball team suffered a setback in their push for a playoff spot on Friday night as they were halted in three sets by the visiting MacEwan Griffins at The Furnace.

The Heat, who were competing as part of the second annual Pride Night, got a strong performance from Renn Petryk of Edmonton, who fired home 16 kills, but were unable to make up any ground in their push for the eighth and final playoff spot in Canada West.
 
The Griffins would lead throughout the first set, halting any attempts by the Heat to push for a comeback, the best of which was a three-point run near the end of the set which included a block by Zach van Geel of Calgary, and Petryk's seventh kill of the set. The second set would be essentially the same story with the Griffins controlling the scoring through most of the set, and the Heat unable to capitalize off of either of their three-point runs.
 
The third set would see a shift in momentum as the Heat kicked off the set with a four-point run, giving them a 9-5 lead and forcing the Griffins into a timeout. The Heat would go on another four-point run later in the set, including two kills from Petryk, which would once again give the Heat the lead.

The Griffins would respond later with their own run to give them a one-point lead at 20-19. From there the momentum would shift and the two teams would be locked in a battle to break the tie until MacEwan eventually would shut down the set at 27-25.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Zach van Geel – UBCO
The 6-5 setter from Calgary, Alta., would tally 27 total assists in the three-set match, as well as two blocks, four digs, and one kill.
 
Jefferson Morrow – GMU
The 6-3 outside hitter from Wynnum, Australia, would lead his team in points, adding 14 kills, 11 digs, and one ace for a total of 14 points.
                                                                                                                                       
WHERE THEY SIT
With the loss, the Heat's record drops to 6-15 on the season as they maintain their 11th place standing in the conference, two games back of the final playoff spot with three games remaining. The Griffins now improve their record to 4-17 but remain in the 13th place.
 
UP NEXT
The two teams will return to the Furnace on Saturday afternoon for the Heat's last home game of the season. Keaton Mann will be the lone graduate on the Heat men's volleyball team and will be celebrated at tomorrow's graduating seniors' night, with the match set to start at 3 p.m. Tickets for the game can be purchased at the door prior to first serve.