VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds withstood a late push by the host Calgary Dinos but came away with a five set victory (22-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-27, 15-5) to complete the weekend sweep.
Second year outside hitter Akash Grewal had career highs with 15 kills and 13 digs while Kacey Jost had a season best 21 digs as the ‘Birds (16-4) retain their hold on second place in the Canada West standings with just two weeks left in the regular season.
“We got two hard earned wins where we worked hard and battled together well, even when we dipped a bit in terms of execution,” said UBC head coach Doug Reimer. “We had a lot of players step up their play. Tonight, I thought Kacey, Brynn (Pasin), and Akash really anchored our play.”
Neither team got into an offensive groove during the opening set, but it was the Dinos (11-9) who picked up the win with some key service aces.
The Thunderbirds came back hungry in the next two frames and UBC pulled away mid way through the second set and carried that momentum into the third where they took an early lead and held it the entire way. The ‘Birds took advantage of their opportunities with 28 kills over sets two and three.
Calgary found themselves down early again in the fourth set but a series of small runs brought the score level late at 21-21. The teams went back and forth before Sophie Reed closed out the set.
The Dinos middles stood tall to send the game to a fifth and deciding frame with five blocks in the fourth. Mya Sheridan and Sheridan Coninx made 14 collectively throughout the evening.
UBC seized control of the final set with a commanding 10-1 run. Cara Kovacs showed her strength and took the final swing of the night to secure the win.
After two straight weekend road trips and a bye week sprinkled in between, the T-Birds are finally back home at War Memorial Gym next Friday and Saturday, February 10 and 11 when they host the Winnipeg Wesmen who are currently just four points back in the tight Canada West standings.