Drybrough, Heslinga shine in Game 1 win over UBC

EDMONTON – Six weeks after suffering a pair of losses in conference play on home court to UBC, the top-seeded Alberta Golden Bears bounced back with a 3-0 win in Game 1 of their semifinal series. 

First team CW all-star Isaac Heslinga led the Bears attack with a match-high 16 kills on just 35 attempts, with graduating setter Sam Drybrough tallying 35 assists and five digs. 

With a 1-0 series lead, Alberta is now just one win from hosting the Canada West Final next week, and securing a spot at the U SPORTS Championship in Kingston. 

“We had a great start, and a good serving run to open the match. They pushed back, as we knew they would. It was a good battle,” said the Bears starting setter. “Our goal the last few weeks is to start matches strong. We had some issues last week sustaining that momentum, but tonight we made sure to keep up the intensity in the third, and it paid off.” 

Missing second team all-star Reeve Gingera, UBC struggled with their offensive rhythm in the straight-sets loss. Gavin Moes led the T-Birds with seven kills, as UBC finished with just 25 kills as a team in the loss. 

“Obviously a different lineup tonight, but that was just the hand we were dealt. But we know regardless of who is on the floor, we need to put out a better product,” said Thunderbirds head coach Mike Hawkins. “We need to settle in more in serve receive tomorrow, and when we set our middles, it actually worked quite well.” 

The defending conference champions came out flying in the first set, winning the first eight points, and holding a 13-3 lead before Hawkins was forced to use both timeouts. UBC managed just nine kills and eight attack errors in the first, while Alberta added four blocks to their eight kills in a 25-16 win. 

Their momentum carried into the second set, as the hosts were up 8-2 in a flash. Nine of Heslinga’s 16 kills came in the second set alone, as Alberta took control of the match with a 25-21 set win. 

With their backs against the wall, UBC pushed back to open the third, earning their first lead of any set of the match, jumping ahead 11-8. Poor serving, however, undid UBC’s comback bid, as Alberta scored four aces in the third, with the Thunderbirds adding in seven errors to fall 25-19. 

Game 2 of the semifinal series is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. tomorrow night.