Top-seed T-Birds welcome Wolfpack to open playoffs

VANCOUVER – The No.1-seed UBC Thunderbirds (22-2) are hosting the No.8-seed Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack (14-10) in a Canada West quarter-final at War Memorial Gym this weekend, marking the T-Birds’ first post-season matches since they won the national championship on home court last year. Game one of the series is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (PT) on Friday, game two at 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Saturday, and if the first two results are split then game three will take place at 3:00 p.m. (PT) on Sunday.

UBC had a spectacular regular season in the lead up to defending its national title. The U SPORTS No.1-ranked team for nearly the entire year, the only two matches the ‘Birds lost all season were both in five sets against fellow nationally ranked opponents. The team posted is best record since 2012-13, which came amid a run of six consecutive national championships, and picked up the most regular season wins in program history. Remarkably, the ‘Birds earned four more victories than last year’s national championship squad, despite losing six graduating seniors.
 

“I think there’s probably a combination of factors,” mused UBC head coach Doug Reimer, when asked about his team’s improved record. “We did talk a lot about our ability, even when we have someone out of the lineup or maybe not 100 percent healthy, to have other people have step up. It speaks to depth in a variety of positions and progress in our training over last year and this year.”

Among those who have stepped into bigger roles is Akash Grewal, who easily led Canada West in service aces per set at 0.89. The third year outside hitter was also second in the conference in hitting percentage at .311.

Lucy Borowski had a remarkable year for the T-Birds in a super-utility role. The 6’1 third-year was third in Canada West in service aces per set, eighth in points per set, and just outside the top 10 in both kills and hitting percentage, all while serving as UBC’s secondary setter for much of the season.

Not to be forgotten is the leadership and incredible play of Kacey Jost. Already a standout libero coming into the year, Jost has firmly established herself as the premier player at her position across all of U SPORTS. Her 12 receiving errors across the entire regular season is half as many as the next best full-time libero in Canada West and she’s being recognized with ever-increasing playing time on Canada’s Senior National Team.

As a group, not only did the T-Birds win two more matches than anyone else in the conference, they also led the way in points per set. A deeper dive into the numbers shows serve/receive to be their greatest strength, easily pacing the field in aces per set while committing the second fewest receiving errors.

Despite every indication that the team is in prime position to compete for the Canada West crown and another U SPORTS banner, Reimer says their approach is to take everything one weekend at a time.

“It’s not about a run now, it’s about Friday night and preparing for Thompson Rivers,” said the five-time Canada West Champion and 10-time U SPORTS Champion coach. “So the number one focus is not looking past that. It’s about reminding ourselves what we did, the basic things we did well, to get to this point and have the chance to host. That’s all we’ve done. It’s just another weekend to try and do that again. We need to make sure that we are at least as well prepared as they are for us.”

The Wolfpack enter the weekend on a hot streak, having won their last four matches in order to secure the final playoff berth. Serve/receive is also their team strength, as the ‘Pack finished second behind the ‘Birds in aces and committed the fourth fewest receiving errors in Canada West.

UBC defeated TRU in both of their matchups this season, picking up a pair of comfortable 3-0 victories at War Memorial Gym. However, Reimer was quick to point out the growth of the Wolfpack over the course of the year, noting that this is a much-improved version of the team that fans may have seen in the fall.

“Across the board they’re playing a lot steadier volleyball,” commented Reimer. “Their outside hitters are all having very efficient, effective games. Offensively they do a good job so we need to make sure that our serve, block and defence are operating well. Then it’ll often come down to making key plays at key times, who has the right balance of getting after it but avoiding unforced errors.”

Should the top-seed T-Birds win the series and advance they would be guaranteed to host two more rounds of playoffs at War Memorial Gym. A best-of-three semifinal would be next on tap March 1-3. Winning that would guarantee UBC a spot at the U SPORTS National Championships and see them host the Canada West Gold Medal Game on March 8. A semifinal loss would still leave the ‘Birds in position to host the Canada West Bronze Medal Game on March 8, with the bronze winner also heading to Hamilton, Ontario for the U SPORTS Championships March 15-17.

Tickets to this weekend’s series against Thompson Rivers may still be available here. Stream all Canada West playoff volleyball action live or on demand on Canada West TV.