T-Birds seek first conference title in decade against familiar foe

VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds (22-2, 4-0) are in their first Canada West Gold Medal Match since 2018, with a chance to take their first conference crown in 10 years when they host the Manitoba Bisons (20-4, 4-0) for a single, championship match at 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Saturday at War Memorial Gym.

It may come as a surprise to read that the T-Birds have not won Canada West in so long, but the most decorated women’s volleyball program in the country has had no shortage of success in the last decade, earning three U SPORTS banners in that time, including last season. UBC is heading to Hamilton, Ontario next weekend to defend their national title regardless of this weekend’s results, but the match is likely to impact U SPORTS Championship seeding. The last time the blue and gold were crowned Canada West champions was after defeating Manitoba in the championship match on home court in 2014, which was also the last time that the Bisons reached the final.
 

After topping the regular season standings, the ‘Birds have been simply unbeatable so far these playoffs, winning all 12 post-season sets to pick up a pair of sweeps over Thompson Rivers and then Alberta. Last weekend’s defeat of the Pandas was not without drama however, as the T-Birds made a remarkable comeback from down 12-4 in the first set of Saturday’s game to taking the opening frame 29-27, and ultimately gaining control of the match.

“We just hung in there long enough and a few things went our way,” commented UBC head coach Doug Reimer, who was just named Canada West Coach of the Year for a third time with the Thunderbirds, and sixth overall. “The thing with 12-4, you’re still only halfway through the set. It looks insurmountable, but you’re only halfway there. You wouldn’t want to do that on a regular basis by any means, but in our sport you can’t just run out the clock.”‘

All season long different members of the T-Birds have stepped up in key situations, and the Alberta series was no exception. Erika Vermette, in her final playoff run before graduating, had the match of her career on Friday, leading all hitters with 16 kills from the left side while playing tremendous defence. She followed that up with another strong match on Saturday with 11 kills, 13 digs, and a block to help close out the Pandas.

“Tremendous performance,” praised Reimer. “It wasn’t just the stats, it was how steady her play was in absolutely every aspect of the game and over two nights. Alberta was trying to serve at her and she handled that very well, she blocked very well, obviously her hitting was there, especially night one. Her ability to put back-to-back matches like that together, especially when Alberta was more aware of what she could do on night two, is as or more impressive than her night one hitting stats, in my opinion.”

Standing in the way of UBC winning its 14^th Canada West Championship is a very familiar opponent in the Manitoba Bisons. The Bisons are making their fourth trip to War Memorial Gym in the last two seasons, with each side picking up memorable wins in the renewed rivalry.

Manitoba upset UBC in the Canada West quarter-finals last year, winning two straight matches to take the series on the T-Birds home floor. It was not long before the blue and gold got their revenge, as just weeks later at the U SPORTS Championships at War Memorial the ‘Birds beat the Bisons in the national semifinal. Most recently, Manitoba came in for a regular season series in January which, fittingly, the teams split; giving UBC its only home loss all season.

“I think they’re probably pretty comfortable playing in our gym,” joked Reimer, before turning serious. “I have a ton of respect for the team in general, obviously well-coached. Getting this far in the playoffs without (Canada West kills leader) Raya Surinx just shows the depth and the skill that they bring. They defend like crazy, have a good offence, great setting, a great libero, and that shows”.

Now, after playing two-match series throughout the regular season and three-match series throughout the playoffs, the Canada West champion will be decided by a single match. One evening of winner-take-all volleyball for UBC to hold the conference championship and national championship at once for the first time in a decade.

“In a one match situation, you have no time to make adjustments on night two,” concluded Reimer. “Our team is very motivated to take another championship on home court.”
 

The T-Birds and Bisons may well meet up again just a weekend later when both teams are expected to be top-four seeds at the U SPORTS Championships at McMaster University, March 15-17.

This weekend’s Canada West Gold Medal Match will be streamed on CBC Gem and Canada West TV. Tickets for Saturday’s medal doubleheader, with the UBC men’s team’s hosting a bronze medal match to earn their spot at nationals immediately after the women, may still be available here.