EDMONTON - The UBC Okanagan Heat women's volleyball team punched their ticket to the Canada West playoffs on Friday night thanks to a straight sets victory (29-27, 25-21, 26-24) over the Alberta Pandas.
Entering the night needing a victory to secure their spot in the playoffs, and facing an Alberta team that was fighting for their playoff lives, the Heat took care of business in impressive fashion, winning their fourth consecutive game to officially join the eight teams who will compete for this year's Canada West Championship.
With plenty on the line for both teams, it was no surprise that the first set was a close one. The two teams traded the lead throughout, before a three-point run, highlighted by an Amaya Perry (Chin, Alta.) ace clinched the set for the Heat.
Carrying over the momentum from the first set, Perry was dominant early in the second set, putting down four massive kills to take the lead over the Pandas. Natalie Funk (Strathmore, Alta.) would take over from there, scoring six of the last eight points for the Heat to put them up two sets over the Pandas, leaving them on the brink of clinching.
The two well-matched teams exchanged pairs of points to kick off the third set until the Heat pulled ahead midway through the frame. However, Alberta wouldn't go away, scoring four straight points to give them a set point and a chance to extend the match. In that moment, the Heat turned to their star opposite Sydney Grills (Vancouver, B.C.) and she stepped up in a big way, firing home back-to-back kills and then clinching the match and playoff spot in dramatic fashion, combining with Funk on a stuff block.
TOP PERFORMERS
Sydney Grills - UBCO
The third year opposite came up big for her team in their biggest match of the season, firing home 12 kills while hitting .280, to go along with six blocks and seven digs for 17 points.
Lalia Johnston - Alberta
The first-year outside hitter and product of Edmonton was a strong attacker for the Pandas, putting down a total of 13 kills, a block and three digs for a total of 14.5 points.
WHERE THEY SIT
The Heat's record improves to a 12-11 record as they grab the final playoff spot in the Canada West standings. Combined with the Calgary Dinos (12-11) loss to the Manitoba Bisons (14-9), UBCO is now tied for seventh in the conference heading into the final game of the regular season.
Meanwhile, Alberta sees their playoff aspirations dashed as they fall to 10-13.
UP NEXT
The two teams are back on the court on Saturday evening to compete at the final match of the regular season. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. and fans can catch the action live on
Canada West TV.
