KELOWNA, B.C. — The UBCO Heat women's volleyball team (3-3) defeated the MacEwan Griffins (1-5) in four sets on Saturday at UBCO Gymnasium, winning 19-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-15. The home team notched 10 service aces, showcasing a strong performance from the service line, to help them sweep MacEwan in their weekend doubleheader.
Kirsten Hill led the team with 13 kills on 28 attempts, contributing 15.5 points overall.
Natalie Funk was effective in defence, recording nine block assists and collecting 13.5 points.
Madison Gardner excelled at the service line, delivering four aces while also adding five total blocks.
Kylan Finseth orchestrated the offense with 28 assists and contributed 10 digs to the defensive effort.
Kara Frith led the way for the Griffins, contributing 13 kills and added six digs.
UBCO started strong in the opening set with a service ace from Gardner and two consecutive blocks, pushing to a 3-0 lead. However, MacEwan responded with an extended 8-1 run, capitalizing on multiple attack errors and strong blocking by Arden Butler and Anika Buys. Despite a late push by the Heat that included kills from
Marija Josipovic and Gardner, MacEwan secured the set 25-19, aided by Alyshia Bryks' decisive attacks.
The Heat secured the second set with a decisive 25-18 victory over MacEwan, capitalizing on a late surge. A series of blocks, led by
Korey Jenkins and Funk, contributed to five pivotal attack errors from Kara Frith, halting MacEwan's momentum. Meanwhile, Finseth's consistent setting facilitated key kills for Hill and Gardner, while a service ace from Gardner extended the lead.
UBCO claimed the third set 25-18, overcoming an early deficit with a decisive mid-set rally. After trailing 12-7, UBCO answered by capitalizing on MacEwan's attack errors and mounting a 12-3 run, highlighted by service aces and blocks from Gardner and Finseth. Josipovic and Hill contributed crucial kills that helped secure the set, while MacEwan struggled with consistency, committing multiple attack errors.
In the fourth set, the Heat capitalized on a series of Griffins errors and strategic kills to secure a decisive 25-15 victory. After an early exchange of points, the home team pulled ahead with contributions from Hill and Funk, who each delivered key kills. A service ace by Finseth expanded their lead, while MacEwan's momentum was hindered by attack errors. UBCO then closed the set with consecutive aces, demonstrating efficient serving to end the match.
Looking ahead for the Heat, they will travel to Abbotsford, B.C., to face the UFV Cascades in their next match which is set for Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:45 p.m. Fans can catch the game live on CanadaWest.tv presented by BioSteel.
Game Notes:
- For the second time in two weeks, Hill established a new career-best for kills in a match with the Heat