KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBC Okanagan Heat men's volleyball team got their season off to a flying start on Friday night as they swept the visiting MacEwan Griffins in their season opener, winning in three sets 25-16-, 25-13, 25-22.
It was a thoroughly dominant showing from the Heat who made just eight errors in the match, including none in the opening set, while hitting .476 percent as a team, the second-best single-game hitting percentage in program history.
"I'm so proud of the way the team played in our opening match," commented head coach
Scott Koskie after the match. "The guys have been working very hard in training for the last two months without many matches so to see them perform like this and see the benefits of their hard work is awesome."
Fourth-year setter
Zach van Geel of Calgary was at the centre of the Heat's potent offence as he showed his athleticism and skill throughout the match. He would finish with 35 assists, tying him for the fourth-most in a three-set match in team history, while adding five digs, three kills and two service aces.
UBCO's middles were nearly unstoppable on the night as
Thys Weststrate of Kelowna, B.C., finished with 10 kills on 11 attacks, hitting .909 percent, the best single-game hitting percentage in program history.
Ashton South of Calgary was nearly as good as Weststrate, finishing with eight kills on nine attacks to hit a sparking .889 percent.
In a balanced offensive barrage, third-year outside hitter
Seba Manuel of Kelowna, B.C., and second-year outside hitter
Jack Taylor of Winnipeg, also reached double-digits for kills with Manuel leading all players in the match with 11 while Taylor added 10 of his own.
The win was also a milestone for Koskie, who was making both his Heat and Canada West head coaching debut. The former Team Canada setter took over the coaching reins this summer and had his team playing with energy and enthusiasm from the opening serve.
"The first win in Canada West is really special and something that means a lot to me," said Koskie post-match. "So many people have invested in me throughout my career to get me to this point and I am thinking about them all tonight. I have to thank my wife, family and my parents for supporting me on this volleyball journey. I am also grateful for all the people I have played with, coached with and learned from. Tonight was a fun night and it's back to work tomorrow."
The Heat (1-0) and the Griffins (0-3) will be back in action at the UBCO Gymnasium on Saturday, October 26 at 6 p.m. as the two teams wrap up their weekend doubleheader. Tickets for the game can be purchased at the door on game day.
