KELOWNA, B.C - The Presidents' Cup takes center stage this weekend as the UBC Okanagan Heat and Thompson Rivers WolfPack square off in both basketball and volleyball.
The Heat, who have won both the women's and men's trophies that past two years, enter the final weekend of competition for the trophies in 2023-24 leading the race for the women's trophy with two wins thanks to the women's soccer team. UBCO will have their work cut out for them to repeat as men's champions as they lost both men's soccer games last Fall.
With basketball at home against the WolfPack and volleyball on the road, the Heat women need just two wins to reclaim the trophy while the men must win three games to force a tie-breaking scenario (total goals/points for and against) or win all four games to reclaim the trophy outright.
AT HOME
Women's BasketballÂ
January 19th vs. Thompson Rivers - 11 AM - UBCO GymnasiumÂ
January 20th vs. Thompson Rivers - 1 PM - UBCO Gymnasium
The Heat women (5-7) will be looking to get back into the win column as they face the 2-8 WolfPack. UBCO have won five of their last seven outings against the 'Pack including three in a row. In two games against TRU last season, veteran guard Sofia Ainsa Lluch averaged 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
Men's Basketball
January 19th vs. Thompson Rivers - 5 PM - UBCO GymnasiumÂ
January 20th vs. Thompson Rivers - 3 PM - UBCO Gymnasium
The men's basketball team (2-10) will look to get the ball rolling for the Heat on Friday and Saturday this weekend in what will be an exciting matchup with the WolfPack (3-7). The Heat have won three straight games against TRU, including sweeping both of their matchups in Kamloops last season. UBCO is 6-5 all-time against Thompson Rivers on home court and will be leaning on Jas Dhudwal to continue his great play as of late after he averaged a double-double last weekend against Saskatchewan.
ON THE ROAD
Women's VolleyballÂ
January 19th at Thompson Rivers - 5:30 PM - Kamloops, B.C
January 20th at Thompson Rivers - 3 PM - Kamloops, B.C
After earning a split last weekend against Calgary, the Heat women (6-10) have both Presidents' Cup glory and chasing down a playoff spot on their minds this weekend against TRU (5-9). UBCO and TRU have split their last two weekend doubleheaders with the action being fast-paced and exciting for both teams. Amaya Perry will be one to watch for UBCO after notching her 700th career kill in last weekend against Calgary.
Men's VolleyballÂ
January 19th at Thompson Rivers - 7:15 PM - Kamloops, B.C
January 20th at Thompson Rivers - 4:45 PM - Kamloops, B.C
The Heat men (1-15) have been front and center of UBCO's success in the Presidents' Cup the past two seasons, as they ride a four-game winning streak into this weekend's matchups with the WolfPack (7-7). The competition between the Heat and TRU has been fierce and tightly contested with the last three meetings going five sets. Keep an eye on Zach van Geel and Cade Hudson to continue their strong play from last weekend against the Dinos into this rivalry showdown.
