UBCO, WPG hitters larger than life in seasons’ biggest moments

CALGARY – British Columbia Okanagan’s Jade Bussard and Winnipeg’s Daniel Thiessen were named the Canada West Volleyball Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday.

Bussard led her dark horse UBCO Heat into Round Two of the Canada West Women’s Volleyball Playoffs with an astounding performance in Round One.

She kicked off her weekend as the top point-getter in a five-set match with Mount Royal. The third-year outside hitter laid down 21 kills and three service aces while putting up eight digs as her Heat fell in their opening game of the playoffs.

With their backs against the wall and only two matches left in the pool play, UBCO took down goliath Saskatchewan on their home court. The Huskies had only lost two games all year going into the postseason. But Bussard didn’t care. She buried 23 kills and she did it efficiently. Bussard posted an eye-raising .525 kill percentage while sailing in six service aces. She added eight digs for 29.5 points in the 3-1 win.

Bussard bested that point total in UBCO’s final match of the weekend against Manitoba. The Red Deer, AB product posted 30.5 points, 24 kills, three service aces, five blocks and 12 digs in a 3-2 victory that sealed the Heat’s spot in the second round.

They’re now slated to take on Trinity Western Friday at 6 p.m. in their first match of Round Two pool play at the University of the Fraser Valley.

Game log:
March 3: 21 K, .311 K%, 3 SA, 1 BA, 8 digs, 24.5 pts in 2-3 L vs MRU
March 4: 23 K, .525 K%, 6 SA, 1 BA, 8 digs, 29.5 pts in 3-1 W vs SSK
March 5: 24 K, .309 K%, 3 SA, 5 blks, 12 digs, 30.5 pts in 3-2W vs MAN

Meanwhile, a fifth-year opposite was putting on a show for his hometown fans in Winnipeg during Round One of the CW Volleyball Playoffs. Daniel Thiessen led his team to a hard-fought victory after laying down 25 kills, five block assists, eight digs and 28.5 points in a five-set thriller with the Manitoba Bisons.

In the team’s next match, he filled every role on the court. And he did it in a big way while working with efficiency. Thiessen put away a remarkable 33 kills while hitting the floor for 21 digs. He set a program record for kills in a playoff match and fell two shy of the CW all-time record. His Wesmen would ultimately fall to UBCO in five sets.

With their season on the line, the Wesmen faced Calgary in their third match. Thiessen again led the way with 27 kills and 11 digs for 28 points to complete their marathon weekend with a win in five sets.

His performance helped Winnipeg punch their ticket to Round Two next weekend. The team’s first game is slated for Friday against Brandon at 7 p.m. at the University of Alberta.

Game log:
March 3: 25 K, .304 K%, 1 SA, 5 BA, 8 digs, 28.5 pts in 3-2W vs MAN
March 4: 33 K, .391 K%, 1 SA, 2 BA, 21 digs, 35 pts in 2-3L vs UBCO
March 5: 27 K, .269 K%, 2 BA, 11 digs, 28 pts in 3-2W vs CGY