KELOWNA, B.C. - The UBC Okanagan Heat women's volleyball team gave a boisterous Pride Night crowd plenty to cheer about on Friday night as they took the U SPORTS No. 6-ranked UFV Cascades to five sets, falling just short of the upset (14-25, 25-17, 25-21, 23-25, 11-15)Â at the UBCO Gymnasium.Â
After dropping the opening set, the Heat found their game in the second frame, and an early advantage through an
Olivia Tymkiw (Coldstream, B.C.) ace.
 Despite the Cascades attempt to halt the Heat's surge by utilizing both of their timeouts early in the set,
Natalie Funk, the Heat's third-year middle and product of Strathmore, Alta., would squash any hopes of a comeback as she fired home a kill, followed shortly by an ace, securing UBCO a commanding seven-point advantage. With this lead in hand, the Heat confidently secured the second set to even the match.Â
Cascades kicked off the third set with a quick run of points but it would be short-lived as the Heat's head coach, Steve Manual, would call a crucial timeout, effectively breaking the early momentum of the Cascades and halting their service run. The Heat would then get a pair of impressive serving runs from
Amaya Perry of Chin, Alta., followed shortly thereafter by Funk. The two would combine to give the Heat a 12-5 advantage and they wouldn't look back as they moved one set from victory.
Coming off two straight set wins, Perry would put together another string of serving points to grant the Heat with another early lead over the Cascades. However, UFV, determined to maintain their winning streak, gradually narrowed the gap from a seven-point deficit, locking down crucial rally points to ultimately take the set and force the match to a fifth and deciding set.
The fifth set saw a back-and-forth exchange of points until Gabrielle Attiah of Surrey, B.C., embarked on an impressive five-point serving streak for the Cascades, notching two serving aces to help her team storm back to take the match.
TOP PERFORMERS
Natalie Funk - UBCO
The third-year middle and product of Strathmore, B.C., Natalie Funk had a big night for the Heat, finishing with 10 kills while hitting .391 percent, while adding two serving aces, five blocks and five digs for a total of 14.5 points for the Heat.
Gabrielle Attiah - UFV
The fifth year outside hitter and product of Surrey, B.C., would lead the Cascades to victory, tallying 19 kills, three serving aces, 15 digs and two blocks.
WHERE THEY SIT
Following the Friday evening loss, the Heat continue to hold seventh in the conference with a 9-12 record in the Canada West standings, whereas the Cascades add one more to their 12-game win streak as they are tied for second with an 18-3 record.
UP NEXT
The Heat will close out their 2023-24 home schedule on Saturday, February 10 as they close out their weekend doubleheader with the Cascades. The match will get underway at 4 p.m. and following the conclusion of the match, the team will recognize their four graduating seniors, including Abigail Dueck, Hellen Lacava, Sarah Hall and Thea Gremmen.
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