BRANDON, Man. — On the strength of a massive performance from fourth-year middle Madison Gardner, the UBCO Heat women's volleyball team (4-8) came back from a two sets to one deficit to defeat the Brandon Bobcats (1-9) for a thrilling 3-2 victory on Saturday night, posting set scores of 21-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21, and 19-17. 

The Heat's standout performance was marked by 13 service aces and a total of 82 digs.

Gardner led UBCO with an impressive display, racking up 13 kills and eight service aces, contributing to 22.5 total points. Her eight aces set a new single-game team record for UBCO and are the eighth-most in a match in Canada West history.

Marija Josipovic supported with 15 kills and three blocks, amassing 18 points. Kylan Finseth orchestrated the offence with 38 assists, also adding nine digs to her tally. Natalie Funk excelled in defence with a team-high of 15 digs, while also contributing nine kills and four blocks.

For the Bobcats, Stephanie Miller shone with 17 points, thanks to her 13 kills and 18 digs. Maddy Hettinga also played a vital role with 15.5 points, securing 12 kills and two service aces, alongside 12 digs. 

The Heat began strong with an early kill from Gardner, assisted by Finseth. Momentum shifted when Josipovic delivered a service ace, leveling the score at 4-4. Despite resilient efforts, including multiple kills by Josipovic and Gardner, the Bobcats managed to edge ahead. Key blocks and a service ace by Carly Thomson helped the Bobcats secure the first set at 25-21.

UBCO took control in the second set with decisive plays, highlighted by Gardner's crucial service aces. Korey Jenkins and Josipovic added key kills, maintaining the lead despite responses from the Bobcats. The set concluded with a service ace from Gardner, her third of the set, sealing it at 25-21 for UBCO.

In the third set, the Heat rallied to tie the score at 6-6 with another service ace by Gardner and a block by Josipovic. However, the Bobcats pulled ahead with a series of kills and capitalized on service errors. Despite two timeouts and a late push from the Heat, the Bobcats clinched the set 25-21.

UBCO started the fourth set with a series of effective plays, including a kill by Gardner and a service ace by Funk. Maintaining their advantage, the Heat responded to a few errors with a key service ace from Gardner. Despite a comeback attempt by the Bobcats, the Heat secured the set with kills from Faith Solecki and Funk, ending it 25-21.

The fifth set saw the Bobcats take an early lead, but the Heat quickly responded. Jenkins executed consecutive kills, assisted by Finseth, to take a 3-2 lead. Gardner extended the advantage with another kill. 

Despite a service error and a timeout from the Bobcats, UBCO capitalized on Brandon's mistakes. The Bobcats rallied back to tie the score, but UBCO regained control with decisive kills from Gardner and Josipovic. Though the Bobcats leveled the score again, the Heat sealed the set with a kill from Rathlef, ending the game 19-17.

The Heat wrap the first term sitting alone in ninth place in the Canada West conference and will resume their push for a playoff berth when they take on the Calgary Dinos at the UBCO Gymnasium on Friday, January 9, 2026. First serve is set for 5:30 p.m. and tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting GoHeat.ca/Tickets.

Game Notes:
- Gardner's eight aces were the most in a match in UBCO team history since joining Canada West.
- Gardner's eight aces were also tied for the eighth most in a match in Canada West history.
- Gardner's 13 kills and 22.5 points were both career-highs for the fourth-year middle.
- Josipovic set a new career-high for kills in a Canada West match with 15.
- Jenkins' 11 kills were a new career-high and marked the first time hitting double-digits since missing last season due to injury.
- Rathlef recorded nine or more kills for the third consecutive match.
- Funk set a new career-high for digs in a match with 15.
- Jenkins' 12 digs were also a new career-high with the Heat.
- Josipovic also set a career-high with 12 digs and recorded 10 or more in a match for the third straight game.