KELOWNA, B.C. - The UBC Okanagan Heat men's volleyball team fell to the U SPORTS No. 10-ranked University of Manitoba Bisons in straight sets, 16-25, 21-25, 20-25, on Friday at the UBCO Gymnasium as the team hosted their fourth annual Pride Night

Seba Manuel, who earned tonight's player of the game for the Heat, led the way with a team-high 10 kills and a hitting percentage of .217. Thys Weststrate was efficient in attack, hitting .556 and finishing with eight points thanks to six kills, two blocks and an ace. Ashton South stood defensively with a team-high 4 blocks and finishing with seven points to his name.

On the opposite side of the court, Karil Dadash Adeh was a factor all game for Manitoba, recording nine kills with a .600 hitting percentage and adding 10.5 points. He was joined by Owen Weekes as a significant point scorer, who amassed 15 points and achieving a .591 hitting percentage with 15 kills.

The first set began with both teams exchanging early points, resulting in a 3-1 lead for Manitoba following a kill by Weekes. UBCO's Lucas Woelders contributed with multiple kills, helping his team close the gap to 8-7. Manitoba then responded with a strong service run by Jonah Dueck, including two aces, to extend their lead to 13-10. The Bisons further gained momentum with consecutive service aces from Spencer Grahame, pushing their advantage to 17-14. The set concluded with Manitoba securing a 25-16 victory, highlighted by a kill from Owen Weekes.

The second set saw a competitive start, with the score tied at 3-3 after a kill by South from Zach Van Geel. The Bisons then gained momentum, extending their lead to 9-7 after a pair of Heat errors. Manitoba maintained their advantage, with Owen Weekes contributing multiple kills and a service ace by Jordon Heppner taking the score to 20-16. Despite a late push by the Heat, including a service ace by South, the Bisons secured the set 25-21, concluding with a service ace by Dueck.

In the third set, UBCO and the Bisons exchanged early points, with Manuel and Jordon Heppner making notable kills for their respective teams. Manitoba pulled ahead after a service ace by Dadash Adeh at 9-7, prompting a timeout from the Heat. UBCO managed to tie the score at 17-17 after a kill by Mika Feilberg, but a series of errors allowed Manitoba to extend their lead. The Bisons' Owen Weekes contributed several key points, including a kill at 19-17, as Manitoba closed the set with a 25-20 victory.

With the loss, the Heat fall behind the Bisons and into seventh in the Canada West conference with a record of 6-7. Manitoba improves to 7-6 after recording their third-straight win.

The Heat will look to avenge this loss when the two teams wrap up their weekend doubleheader on Saturday, January 18. First serve is set for 4 p.m. and tickets for the game can be purchased at the door.