T-Birds aim to finish first half of the season unbeaten in battle with Griffins

With just two more matches on deck before January, the No. 1 ranked UBC Thunderbirds (8-0) will try and go into the winter break on a high as they face the MacEwan Griffins (0-8) at home on Friday, November 29th, and Saturday, November 30th.

It’s not been an ideal start to the season from an availability standpoint for the T-Birds, who have dealt with a series of absences all semester. Missing multiple starters and unable to dress a full complement of 14 players for the last couple weeks, they have continued to find ways to win and have only dropped two sets all season to this point.

“Give our players credit,” said Thunderbirds head coach Doug Reimer. “We’ve had several people have to make adjustments on the fly, and that’s not easy. I think one individual positive is the versatility of Olivia Furlan, being able to pop in and play different positions, and her experience.”

Furlan is third in Canada West in digs per set (3.35), playing mostly at libero but also as an outside hitter in UBC’s win over Trinity Western three weeks ago. Her experience playing setter also helps the T-Birds get clean sets even when out of system.

The Thunderbirds are a well-rounded team, tops in Canada West in points per set (17.7) despite only ranking seventh in kills per set (11.6). They’ve accomplished that by leading the conference in both blocks per set (2.52, tied with UBC Okanagan) and aces per set (3.46).

Three Thunderbirds are in the top five in the conference in aces, with Akash Grewal leading the way at 1.12 per set, almost double the next closest player. Issy Robertshaw (0.57) and Lucy Borowski (0.53) are third and fifth in Canada West.

UBC racked up a combined 22 aces in the two matches against Mount Royal last weekend, while giving up just three. That ability to consistently put strong serves across, whether for an ace or a tough reception, has given the T-Birds a leg up on their opposition this season.

“I think if you look at last weekend, that was critical,” added Reimer. “We made some errors, but…teams if you can get them out of system, you’re simplifying everything you’re doing on the blocking and defensive side of things, and putting a whole lot more pressure on teams’ outside hitters.”

The Griffins enter this weekend on a losing skid, as they head out on the road for just the second time this season. The duo of Alyshia Bryks and Arden Butler lead the way offensively for MacEwan, combining for just over half of the team’s kills.

UBC and MacEwan have played just two conference matches against each other since 2020, which were both T-Birds home wins back at the beginning of the 2022-23 season. The Griffins have only won in War Memorial Gym once, in January of 2019.

Friday’s clash is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (PT) at War Memorial Gym. The rematch is at 6:00 p.m. (PT) on Saturday.