EDMONTON - The UBC Okanagan Heat men's volleyball team fell in their regular season finale on Saturday evening as they were taken down the U SPORTS No. 1-ranked Alberta Golden Bears, falling in straight sets.
 
The Golden Bears opened up the action with a decisive seven point lead early in the set. However, the Heat countered, assisted by Edmonton native Renn Petryk's five kills as they battled their way to a tie at 22. The efforts would not be enough for a set win as the Bears shut down the set 25-22. 
 
Hoping to split the set score, the Heat once again pushed back against the Golden Bears' lead with a pair of two three-point runs to bring them within one point, 21-20. Petryk and Zach van Geel of Calgary, would each add a service ace in the comeback effort, but the push would fall short as the Bears took the set 25-21.
 
Petryk would add three kills in the final set efforts, but the third set would be controlled by the Golden Bears, starting with a 7-1 run and holding the lead all the way to the 25-19 close.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Renn Petryk - UBCO
The second-year outside hitter led the way for the Heat's offence, finding nine kills, two serving aces and two blocks for a total of 12.0 points.
 
Jordan Canham - ALB
The fourth-year outside hitter was hard to miss on the court for the Golden Bears, putting down 11 kills, two blocks and two digs for a total of 12.0 points.
 
WHERE THEY SIT
With the loss, the Heat finish their season with a 7-17 record. The Golden Bears rise to 22-2 at the end of their regular season action as they begin to look ahead to the coming playoff matchups.
 
SEASON WRAP UP
Fielding the youngest roster in the league for much of the season, the 2022-23 campaign represented a significant learning opportunity for the Heat's 12 rookies. The Heat won four of their seven matches in five sets, allowing the team to get much-needed experience in close matches. UBCO also contributed, and ultimately clinched, the 2022-23 Male Presidents' Cup for the Heat, thanks to a pair of five-set victories over the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack. The future is bright for a rookie class led by Seba Manuel of Kelowna, B.C., Lucas Woelders of Langley, B.C., and Ashton South of Calgary.