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University of British Columbia Okanagan

UBCO setter Abigail Dueck sets a ball during action against the Manitoba Bisons in Winnipeg
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Women's Volleyball Brandon Smith

PLAYOFF PREVIEW: Women's volleyball set for quarter-final matchup against Manitoba

The #7 Heat face the #2 Bisons for the second time in the schools' post-season history as they head to Winnipeg looking to pull off the first round upset

KELOWNA, B.C. -  The UBC Okanagan Heat women's volleyball open up the 2024 Canada West playoffs this week with a quarter-final showdown against the No. 3-ranked team in Canada, the Manitoba Bisons.

The best-of-three series gets underway from Winnipeg on Friday, February 23 at the Investors Group Athletic Centre with first serve set for 5 p.m. Pacfic live on Canada West TV.

Game two is set for Saturday, February 24 at 12 p.m. Pacific and game three, if necessary, will be played on Sunday, February 25 at 12 p.m. Pacific.

The seventh-seeded Heat faced a difficult path to the playoffs this season facing five of the seven highest-ranked teams in the country. Stepping up to the challenge, UBCO posted one win against a nationally-ranked opponent and while also pulling multiple games to five sets.

Second-seeded Manitoba, winners of 18 of their last 20 matches, come flying into the post-season. The Bisons took two wins over the Heat in regular-season play in December, avenging a UBCO win at the Bison-Wesmen Classic from this preseason.

All-time, the Heat have seen success against their Manitoban opponent, with wins in 20 of their 27 matchups all-time. Notably, the schools met during the 2021-22 playoffs where UBCO battled to a five-set victory. 

Abigail Dueck (Winnipeg, Man.) recorded a program-record 64 assists in the match as she helped her program advance to the second round of playoffs. The fifth-year setter will look to ignite magic with outside hitter Amaya Perry (Chin, Alta.) who leads the Heat in kills per set this season with 2.61.

Perry has become a jack of all trades from her team, ranking inside the conference's top 20 in kills, aces, digs, and points this season.

UBCO will also be leaning on junior middle Natalie Funk who has averaged over a block per set for the second consecutive season. Funk has become one of the most prodigious net defenders in the conference, ranking top-5 in Canada in blocks since taking over the starting role.

The winner of the quarter-final series will advance to the Canada West semifinals next week where the opponent will be determined based on the rankings of the remaining teams.
 
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Players Mentioned

Abigail Dueck

#9 Abigail Dueck

S
6' 0"
Fifth Year
4th Year
Amaya Perry

#19 Amaya Perry

OH
5' 11"
Fifth Year
4th Year
Natalie Funk

#20 Natalie Funk

M
6' 3"
Senior
3rd Year

Players Mentioned

Abigail Dueck

#9 Abigail Dueck

6' 0"
Fifth Year
4th Year
S
Amaya Perry

#19 Amaya Perry

5' 11"
Fifth Year
4th Year
OH
Natalie Funk

#20 Natalie Funk

6' 3"
Senior
3rd Year
M