KELOWNA, B.C. - As the Canada West regular season approaches it's conclusion, the UBCO Heat volleyball teams host the UFV Cascades for their final home games of the 2023-24 season while Heat basketball hits the road to close out their regular season schedule against the Manitoba Bisons. In addition, the Heat track team heads to Edmonton to compete in their first meet of the season at the Pandas Open.

AT HOME 
Pride Night
On Friday, February 9, the UBC Okanagan Department of Athletics and Recreation will host their third annual Pride Night when the Heat volleyball teams take on the UFV Cascades at the UBCO Gymnasium.The event will be an opportunity for the Heat and their fans to celebrate inclusivity both in sport and on the UBCO campus. The evening will feature a number of free giveaways for fans, a 360-degree photo booth courtesy of lululemon as well as the opportunity to purchase limited edition Heat pride t-shirts for $20.There will also be a contest between the second and third set of both the women's and men's game to win Heat pride t-shirts. UBCO Athletics will be hosting a Beer Garden during the evening which will feature $5 drinks for those 19+. Valid photo ID is required to enter the Beer Garden.

Women's Volleyball
February 9th vs U SPORTS No. 5-ranked UFV Cascades - 5 PM - UBCO Gymnasium 
February 10th vs U SPORTS No. 5-ranked UFV Cascades - 4 PM - UBCO Gymnasium 

The Heat women (9-11) look to maintain their playoff position as they face they nationally-ranked Cascades (17-3) this weekend. UBCO holds the seventh of eight playoffs spots, one game ahead of both Saskatchewan and Calgary with four games remaining in the Canada West regular season. Last season the Heat were able to knock-off the then No. 4-ranked Cascades, putting an end to UFV's 10-game winning streak. This time around, the Heat will look to tackle the country's No. 5-ranked school, on a 10-game undefeated streak once again. Coming flying into their matchup is UBCO's Olivia Tymkiw, who tied a program record last Saturday with 19 kills in a three set match, helping her team secure the sweep in Regina. The Heat hold a 4-2 all-time record against the Cascades and are undefeated against UFV at home. Abigail Dueck, Hellen Lacava, Sarah Hall and Thea Gremmen will be honoured on Saturday as the team's Graduating Seniors.

Men's Volleyball
February 9th vs UFV Cascades - 7 PM - UBCO Gymnasium 
February 10th vs UFV Cascades - 6 PM - UBCO Gymnasium 

The Heat men (1-19) play host to the UFV Cascades (6-14) in their final home weekend of the year. The Heat hold a three-game win streak against the Cascades as part of their 5-1 all-time record against their Lower Mainland opponent and are undefeated at home. Last season, UBCO came out with a pair of three set wins in a weekend sweep of the Cascades, with Renn Petryk averaging 12.5 kills over those two meetings. On Saturday, Graduating Senior Teo Ardanaz will be recognized for his five seasons with the program.

ON THE ROAD

Track
February 9th and 10th at Pandas Open

The Heat men and women compete in their first track meet of the season, which will serve as a warmup to the Canada West Championships. Eight Heat runners will compete in the meet including Lys Milne, Abigail Yakemchuk, Tori Bouck and Brooke Lawlor on the women's side and Lucas Robertson, Basil Parkins, Kyle Porter and Caleb Graham. UBCO runners will compete in the women's 1500m and 3000m races while on the men's side, they'll run in the 1000m, 1500m and 3000m events.

Women's Basketball
February 9th vs Manitoba Bisons - 4 PM (PT) - Winnipeg, Manitoba
February 10th vs Manitoba Bisons - 3 PM (PT) - Winnipeg, Manitoba

With their spot in the playoffs secured, the Heat (9-9) visit the Manitoba Bisons (6-12) to close out their regular season. UBCO will be looking to break their program record for wins in a season this weekend as a sweep would give the squad 11, one more than last season's 10 wins. The schools last faced each other in November of 2019 when Manitoba eked out a 60-59 win. In that match, UBCO's Jaeli Ibbetson scored 21 points to go along with her 17 rebounds. Ibbetson leads the conference in rebounding this season (12.4) and ranks fourth in scoring (15.2), firmly planting herself in the conversation for a nod as a first team all-star.

Men's Basketball
February 9th vs Manitoba Bisons - 6 PM (PT) - Winnipeg, Manitoba
February 10th vs Manitoba Bisons - 5 PM (PT) - Winnipeg, Manitoba

The Heat men (6-12) needs win as they face the Bisons (11-7) this week. Sitting one game outside the playoff picture going into the final week of play, UBCO remains within striking distance of UNBC, UFV and Mount Royal - the holders of the last three playoff spots but will need wins to jump into the playoffs. The last time the schools tipped-off UBCO shocked the conference with a upset victory during the opening round of the 2022 Canada West playoffs. The Heat will be looking to rekindle that magic this weekend, led by graduating guard Hafith Moallin who averaged 15.5 points, 6.5 boards, 5.5 assists and 4.0 steals last weekend.