KELOWNA, B.C - In their first action of the New Year, the UBC Okanagan Heat women's volleyball team took their No. 2Â ranked sister-school, the UBC Thunderbirds, to five thrilling sets, dropping a narrow 25-17, 16-25, 22-25, 25-14, 13-15 decision.
In the opening set, Korey Jenkins, a first-year outside hitter from Calgary, set the momentum by throwing up two massive blocks along with two powerful kills to give the Heat an early lead over the Thunderbirds.Â
Alongside Jenkins, fourth-year setter, Abigail Dueck, from Winnipeg, played a crucial role in the Heat's success, delivering an eight-point serving streak, ultimately tipping the opening set in the Heat's favour.
The Thunderbirds would respond with a pair of set wins but the Heat would not make it easy for them, concluding with second and third sets with scores of 16-25 and 22-25.Â
Trailing by one as they entered the fourth, the Heat replicated the opening set's result by staging a comeback with yet another early eight-point serving streak. This time it was Madison Gardner, the second-year middle from Vernon, B.C., who led the charge from the service line, utlimately securing her second serving ace of the evening. UBCO would go on to win the fourth set to send the match the distance.
Olivia Tymkiw, the third-year player from Coldstream, B.C., earned herself the well-deserved title of player of the game, contributing five crucial kills to her 11-point tally in the fifth set. Despite taking an early lead over the Thunderbirds, it wouldn't be enough as the visitors would go on to mount a four-point streak, ultimately clinching the set 15-13.
TOP PERFORMERS
Olivia Tymkiw - UBCO
The third-year outside hitter, hailing from Coldstream, B.C., had a strong match, contributing 11 kills, two serving aces, five blocks and ten digs for a total of 16.5 points in the Heat's efforts on Friday evening.
Lucy Borowsky - UBC
The third-year outside hitter and product of Vancouver, was a dominant player for the Thunderbirds on Friday evening, nailing a match-high of 16 kills as well as finding six serving aces, two blocks and 15 digs for a total of 24 points for the Birds.Â
WHERE THEY SIT
Following the Friday evening loss, the Heat drop to a 5-8 record in the Canada West standings, whereas the U SPORTS No. 2 ranked Thunderbirds will continue to hold the first place position in the conference with a 12-1 record.Â
UP NEXT
UBCO will return to home court tomorrow, Saturday, January 6th, looking to find a weekend split as they compete once more against their sister school, the UBC Thunderbirds, to close off the double header weekend. First serve will go at 4 p.m. and tickets for the match are available at the door.
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