KELOWNA, B.C. – On the heels of claiming top spot in the Canada West standings, the UBCO Heat men's volleyball team moved up one spot in the U SPORTS Top 10 on Monday as they now sit sixth in the national rankings.
 
The Heat, who own a 9-1 record through their opening 10 games, currently have the most wins in the country after sweeping away their rivals, the Thompson Rivers WolfPack, this past weekend at the UBCO Gymnasium. Those results moved them into sole possession of first place in the conference standings, two wins ahead of Alberta, UBC and Trinity Western, who are all 7-1.
 
Off to their best start in program history since joining Canada West, the Heat are being powered by a number of standout performances.
 
Reigning Canada West First Team All-Star Thys Weststrate leads the country in blocks by a wide margin, posting 59 so far in 2025-26. Outside hitter Seba Manuel currently ranks second in U SPORTS in kills with 136 while setter Zach van Geel ranks second in assists with 348 and fifth in digs with 81.
 
Entering their final weekend of play in 2025, UBCO has a chance to set a new program record for most wins in a season when they face the Brandon Bobcats in Brandon, Man. A sweep of the reigning U SPORTS Champion Bobcats, who are currently 3-5 on the season, would vault the Heat to 11 wins, breaking the previous record of 10 set during the 2021-22 campaign.
 
The opening game of the weekend doubleheader with Brandon is set for Friday, November 28 at 5:45 p.m. (PT) and fans can catch the action live on CanadaWest.tv presented by BioSteel.