KELOWNA, B.C. - The UBC Okanagan Heat secured a 3-1 victory over the U SPORTS No. 10-ranked University of Manitoba Bisons at the UBCO Gymnasium on Saturday. The Heat won the match with set scores of 25-23, 25-18, 21-25, and 25-14.

The Heat's standout players include Thys Weststrate, who recorded a career-high of 14 kills and led the team with 18 points while maintaining an impressive attack percentage of .813, the third highest in team history. Weststrate's remarkable performance earned him the title of Player of the Game as he now leads the Canada West conference in hitting percentage for the season at .460 percent. 

Zach van Geel was effective in setting up plays, recording 34 assists while Ashton South was notable for his performance in blocking, contributing a total of seven blocks. Stephen Searcy, serving as the team's libero, accumulated 17 digs, demonstrating strong defensive capabilities and Lucas Woelders added to the team's attack with 12 kills and a .345 hitting percentage, as well as contributing 13 points.

The first set between the Heat and Manitoba saw a competitive exchange, with the Bisons initially taking a lead at 4-1. Manitoba's Owen Weekes contributed significantly with multiple kills, including one that boosted their lead to 14-10 before a timeout was called by UBCO. The Heat fought back with a series of successful plays, including a service ace by Weststrate and a pivotal kill from  South, leveling the score at 15-15. The set concluded with UBCO capturing the win at 25-23, following a kill by Weststrate.

The Bisons started the second set strong with a 3-0 lead, highlighted by a service ace from Karil Dadash Adeh. However, a service error allowed the Heat to gain momentum, and they tied the match at 6-6 with a service ace from Sam Jablonski. UBCO then took control with a significant run, pushing the score to 16-10, aided by back-to-back kills from Jablonski and service aces by Seba Manuel. Despite a brief comeback attempt by Manitoba, who called timeouts at 10-16 and 13-16, the Heat maintained their lead and secured the set at 25-18, finishing with a kill by Lucas Woelders.

The Bisons began the third set strongly, with Jordon Heppner's service ace and a kill by Jonah Dueck contributing to a quick 3-0 lead. The Heat responded with a series of points, including kills from Woelders and Weststrate, leveling the score at 5-5. Despite UBCO's efforts, Manitoba maintained their lead through strategic plays, including Dueck's service ace at 19-16. The set concluded with a kill by Dadash Adeh, sealing a 25-21 victory for the Bisons in the third set.

The fourth set witnessed a competitive exchange between the Heat and Manitoba, concluding with a 25-14 advantage for the home team. The set started with each team trading points and the Heat gained momentum with a series of successful plays, including a crucial kill by Woelders at 4-4. Weststrate's service ace at 9-6 and continued effective kills, notably from Jablonski and Weststrate, helped UBCO extend their lead. Despite Manitoba's efforts, the Heat maintained their lead and secured the set, aided by a decisive kill from Manuel to reach 25 points.

The Heat and the Bisons both hold overall records of seven wins and seven losses. Both teams are currently tied in their conference standings in sixth place with identical records. With tonight's win, Heat successfully closed the weekend with a split over the Manitoba Bisons.

UBCO will continue their season-long six game homestand next weekend when they open a weekend doubleheader with the Mount Royal Cougars (4-8) on Friday, Janaury 24. Game time is set for 6 p.m. and tickets for the game can be purchased at the door on game day.