KELOWNA, B.C. — For the seventh consecutive game, the UBCO Heat women's volleyball team (5-11) went to five sets but unfortunately came out on the losing end to the U SPORTS No. 9-ranked Trinity Western Spartans (11-5) for the second straight night, falling 25-23, 21-25, 25-23, 18-25, 9-15, on Saturday evening at the UBCO Gymnasium. 

UBCO's defence was pivotal to picking up another point in the Canada West standings, racking up 61 digs and 14 total blocks, their third-highest total in a game this season.

Graduating senior Natalie Funk led the Heat in points, recording 16 kills and 12 digs, along with a solo block. Kylan Finseth orchestrated the offence with 39 assists and added 14 digs, showcasing her versatility. Marija Josipovic was a force at the net with eight total blocks and nine kills. Ali Rathlef also contributed significantly with 11 kills and six total blocks, providing essential support on both offence and defence.

Kaylee Plouffe spearheaded Trinity Western with a strong all-around performance, notching 17 kills, a team-high six total blocks, and four service aces. Maryn Boldon was a standout with 20 kills and four service aces, amassing 25 points. 

The Heat clinched the first set with a tight 25-23 win against Trinity Western, driven by a strong finish. The home team capitalized on the Spartans' errors, including four service errors and two ball handling errors, keeping the scoreline close. Key contributions from Funk, with crucial kills at the 23-23 mark, tipped the balance in UBCO's favour. 

In the second set, UBCO surged to a 9-4 lead, driven by Madison Gardner's impactful service ace and block. However, Trinity Western responded with Plouffe's series of service aces, erasing the deficit. Despite a late push by UBCO, TWU took the set 25-21.

UBCO claimed the third set with another narrow 25-23 win, demonstrating resilience in tight situations. Notable contributions came from Rathlef's pivotal kills and Josipovic's offensive efforts, each capitalizing on Finseth's sets. Despite Trinity Western's late push, highlighted by Boldon and Dmitruk's service ace and kills, UBCO maintained the edge with a decisive kill by Josipovic to close the set.

The Spartans used strong blocking in the fourth set to secure a 25-18 win. The Spartans' defensive efforts were highlighted by blocks from Isabella Stothart and Sienna Driedger. Despite Josipovic's notable kills, UBCO's attack struggled with errors, allowing TWU to gain momentum and close the set with service aces and decisive kills.

Trinity Western clinched the decisive fifth set 15-9, leveraging strong blocking and effective attacks. Plouffe was instrumental with a solo block and multiple kills, while Dmitruk facilitated the offence with key assists. Despite UBCO leveling the score at 8-8, the Spartans surged ahead with a 7-1 run to close out the set.

With the point earned on Saturday, UBCO sits in ninth-place in the conference standings with a 5-11 record and 18 points, one win behind eighth-place Calgary (6-10). Three other teams are also tied on record with the Heat, including Winnipeg, MacEwan and Regina as the fight for the final playoff spots will be intense over the final three weekends of the season.

Following the conclusion of the match, the Heat recognized their three graduating seniors who were playing their final regular season home game, including Funk, Gardner and Chloe Ladd.

Looking ahead, the Heat will hit the road and head to Calgary to take on the Mount Royal Cougars (2-12) on Friday, Jan. 30, at 5 p.m. PT. 

Fans can catch the action live on CanadaWest.tv presented by BioSteel.