CALGARY – The UBC Okanagan Heat women's volleyball team used a strong match from the service line, as well as some timely play late in the second and third sets, to knock off the Calgary Dinos in three sets (25-14, 25-23, 29-27) on Friday night at the Jack Simpson Gym.
The Heat were absolutely deadly on their serve, firing 14 aces, their second-most in a match this season.
Olivia Boulding of Victoria and
Kylan Finseth of St. Albert, Alta., led the way with four each while
Natalie Funk of Strathmore, Alta., had two of her own, including one on match point to secure the victory.
UBCO set the tone early with an impressive first set, as they outhit the Dinos .429 to .103, firing 11 kills on just 21 attacks. Leading 16-11 midway through the set, the Heat used a 7-0 run, highlighted by a pair of kills from
Faith Solecki of Cochrane, Alta., to easily claim the opening frame.
The second set was a much closer affair as the two teams traded points and runs until the Heat and Dinos found themselves tied at 23. A timeout from head coach
Steve Manuel settled his group and UBCO won the final two points thanks to a Funk kill and block on set point from Solecki and
Marija Josipovic of West Kelowna, B.C., to take a commanding lead in the match.
The third set went the distance and then some as both teams earned multiple set point opportunities before the Heat's 14
th ace of the match from Funk gave the visitors the victory.
Josipovic and Boulding led the offensive attack with nine kills each while Funk chipped in with eight.
Setter
Calista Cencig of Kelowna, B.C., posted a career-best 26 assists as she handled setting duties for much of the second and third sets, distributing the ball well to her hitters.
"That was a gutsy performance by the team tonight," commented Heat head coach
Steve Manuel after the match. "Several players new to the lineup really stepped up and played well. We will regroup and try to do it all again tomorrow."
Daisy Olsen of Airdrie, Alta., led all hitters in the match with 14 kills.
The win moves the Heat to 4-5 on the season and into eighth place in the Canada West standings. As for the Dinos, they drop to 2-7, sitting 12
th overall.
UBCO will wrap up the Fall term on Saturday afternoon when they take on the Dinos once again in Calgary. Game time is set for 4:30 p.m. PT and the action can be seen live on CanadaWest.tv presented by BioSteel.
