KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBCO Heat men's volleyball team has been ranked among the nation's best this week, entering the U SPORTS Top 10 at number seven following a weekend split with the then-ranked number two Alberta Golden Bears on home court.
 
The Heat, who were last ranked back in March of 2022 at number 10, also earned their highest-ever national ranking following their 3-1 start to the regular season.
 
Following a dramatic improvement in the regular season a year ago, which coincided with their third-ever Canada West playoff appearance, the Heat have continued their upwards trajectory in 2025-26. UBCO opened the season with a pair of road wins over the Manitoba Bisons, the team who eliminated them from the postseason a year ago, before knocking off Alberta for their first-ever win against the Golden Bears on Friday night.
 
Despite a four-set loss on Saturday, the team won four sets off traditional powerhouse Alberta, a team which UBCO had only ever won five sets off of in 22 previous meetings prior to this weekend.
 
Their entrance into the U SPORTS Top 10 now gives the Heat two programs in the national rankings as men's volleyball joins women's cross country, who were ranked eighth in the final cross country rankings of the season last week.
 
The Heat will be back in action on home court this weekend when they face the MacEwan Griffins (0-4) at the UBCO Gymnasium. The first game of the weekend doubleheader is set for 5:30 p.m. on Friday, November 7 and tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting GoHeat.ca/Tickets.