KELOWNA, B.C. - Thanks to a record-setting night from Seba Manuel, the UBC Okanagan Heat men's volleyball team earned an exciting four-set victory (21-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-19)Â over the UFV Cascades as the Heat celebrated their third annual Pride Night on Friday night at the UBCO Gymnasium.
During the first set of the match, the Heat and Cascades went point-for-point until the visitors went on a 9-4 run to close out the set and take the early lead.
Set two saw the Heat start to find their form and it was second-year outside hitter Seba Manuel who led the way. The Kelowna, B.C., native began to take over the match, as he fired five kills and added an ace to help UBCO even the match at a set apiece.
Manuel's serving game stepped up a notch in the third set, as he fired home another three aces, including a set-clinching bullet, which gave him six on the night.
With momenum on their side, the Heat jumped out to a big lead in the fourth set, thanks to a five-point run in the middle of the frame, highlighted by kills from from Seba Manuel (Kelowna, B.C.), Renn Petryk (Edmonton, Alta.), and veteran middle Teo Ardanaz (Tsawwassen, B.C.).
Eventually the Heat would earn themselve six match points and on their second attempt, a pass from Stephen Searcy (Penticton, B.C.)Â found Cade Hudson (Coquitlam, B.C.) to put up a beautiful ball for Renn Petryk (Edmonton, Alta.) who sent it soaring into the back corner of the Cascades court to take the match three sets to one.
TOP PERFORMERS
Seba Manuel - UBCO Heat
In a record-setting performance tonight Seba Manuel not only set a program record with seven service aces, but he also led his team in kills putting down a total of 15, accompanied by 8 digs. Manuel's seven aces are also the second most in a match in Canada West this season and are the third-most ever in a four-set match in conference history.
Ryan Adams - UFV Cascades
The fourth-year right side led his team's efforts tonight putting down a total of 15 kills, one service ace and five digs.
UP NEXT
The Cascades and the Heat are back at it on Saturday, February 10 as the Heat push for the weekend sweep. The match will also see the Heat celebrate their lone graduating senior, Teo Ardanaz, who will be recognized for his six years with the program prior to warmup. The match will then get underwasy at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door or you can catch the action live on CanadaWest.tv.
