KELOWNA, B.C. - The UBC Okanagan Heat women's volleyball team closed off the second annual Pride Night in style on Friday evening as they rallied for a five set victory over the MacEwan Griffins at The Furnace.
On a night in which the Heat celebrated all things Pride, highlighted by a numerous fundraising initiatives to support Etcetera youth group and a guest appearance from Freida Whales, the team saved the best for last with a thrilling come-from-behind win to keep themselves in the hunt for one of the remaining Canada West playoff berths.
After dropping two of the opening three sets, and knowing Saskatchewan had picked up a crucial win in the playoff race, UBCO needed to find a way to rally once again. Leaning on another outstanding performance from Jade Bussard of Red Deer, Alta., who led the team on the night with 17 kills, the Heat pushed back to force a fifth and deciding set for a third consecutive game.
With the large crowd at The Furnace firmly on their side, the Heat were full of momentum entering the fifth set. Exchanging rally points to the first eight,
Olivia Tymkiw (Coldstream, B.C.) brought the crowd to their feet with back-to-back stuff-blocks. Those plays turned out to be the difference as the Heat reeled off seven consecutive points to close out the set and the match.
TOP PERFORMERS
Abigail Dueck -Â UBCO
The third-year setter from Winnipeg ran the front row as she picked up 38 assists as well as putting down a total of four kills, a serving ace, three blocks and ten digs for an overall 7.0 points for the Heat.
Mariah Bereziuk - MacEwan
The second-year outside hitter and product of Boyle, Alta., was a dominant attacker for the Griffins, findings a total of 17 kills, a serving ace, three blocks and 11 digs for a total of 19.5 points.
WHERE THEY SIT
Thanks to their second consecutive win, UBCO improves to 10-11 and keeps pace with Saskatchewan as the two teams remain tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference. Both the Heat and Huskies sit just one game behind the Calgary Dinos, and one game up on the Alberta Pandas, in an ever-tightening playoff race.
As for the Griffins, they fall to 4-17 on the season.
UP NEXT
The two squads will be back in action, Saturday afternoon, as the Heat celebrate their graduating athletes, Sydney Grills, Jade Bussard, Rayn Perry, Stephanie Temme, Kendall Stephan and Hali Drezet. The match is set for 5 p.m. and tickets will be available at the door on game day.
