KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBC Okanagan Heat men's volleyball team continued their impressive run to start the 2024-25 season as they conquered the UFV Cascades in straight sets (25-21, 25-21, 25-19) to open the weekend doubleheader on Friday evening at the UBCO Gymnasium.
Despite not playing their best volleyball in the opening set, the Heat took advantage of 10 Cascades service errors as well as the strong play of
Jack Taylor of Winnipeg, who had four kills, including the set winner, and an ace in the opening frame, to jump out to the early lead.
The second set was another close affair until late in the frame. With the two teams tied at 18, the Heat used a 6-2 run to set up match point. After missing out on their first opportunity, Taylor came through again with the set-winning kill to stake the Heat to a 2-0 lead.
The final set was the Heat's best of the match as they hit .400 thanks to 14 kills on just 25 attacks. An 8-1 run in the middle of the set gave the Heat plenty of breathing room and despite UFV holding off three straight match points, Taylor came through again with a sneaky tip shot to secure the match.
Taylor would take home Player of the Game honours after posting a game-high 10 kills on 17 swings, hitting a sparking .471, to go along with three blocks and two aces for 13.5 points.
Three other members of the Heat finished with seven kills in a balanced offensive attack, including
Seba Manuel and
Thys Weststrate of Kelowna, B.C., along with
Lucas Woelders of Langley, B.C.
Setter
Zach van Geel of Calgary continued his outstanding season with 26 assists, three aces, two kills, two blocks and five digs.
Jonas Van Huizen of Langley, B.C., paced the Cascades attack with nine kills and 14 assists.
The win is the second in a row for UBCO and moved them into sole possession of third place in the Canada West standings with a 5-2 record and 15 points, one point ahead of idle Trinity Western (5-3). Meanwhile, the Cascades fall to 2-7.
The Heat and Cascades will wrap up their weekend doubleheader on Saturday afternoon when they square off at 3 p.m. Tickets for the game can be purchased at the door on game day.
