KELOWNA, B.C. – In the first match of the new year, the UBC Okanagan Heat Women’s volleyball team, led by the efforts of Amaya Perry, took down the Brandon Bobcats in a decisive three-set victory on Friday afternoon in the Furnace.
The Heat, who were hosting a School Day Game featuring nearly 400 elementary school children from picked up their second straight victory to move back above .500 for the season.
The first set would be evenly matched with no more than a three-point difference between the two squads. Late in the set, and facing set point, the Heat would find a burst of energy as Abigail Dueck added two back-to-back serving aces, followed by a kill by Sydney Grills for a 26-24 finish.
Carrying the momentum from the first, Perry fired back-to-back kills as the Heat went on a four-point run to take the lead early in the second set. The Heat would refuse to relinquish their lead, continuing on to take the set 25-20 after a service ace from Grills.
Using their blocks to their advantage in the third, the Heat found an early seven-point lead which ultimately led them to their three set victory, 25-18. Perry would once again be a key piece in the Heat attack as she found back-to-back aces. Adding to the efforts, Grills and Natalie Funk would find block after block to deny the Bobcats offence.
Keely Anderson led the Bobcats with nine kills, five aces, and 16 digs in her 14-point performance.
The Heat now improve their record to 7-6 on the season as they continue to sit seventh in the Canada West conference after the three-set victory. The Bobcats, meanwhile, remain winless on the season.
The two squads will be back in action Saturday afternoon at The Furnace with the match set to start at 3 p.m.