WVB: Heat hold off Bisons 3-1 to complete weekend sweep

Box Score

KELOWNA, B.C. – Thanks to a 21-kill performance from Sydney Grills, the UBC Okanagan Heat women’s volleyball team held off the Manitoba Bisons to sweep their weekend series in four sets on Saturday afternoon at The Furnace.

For the second day in a row, the opening set between these two teams was tightly contested throughout. However, following a well-used time out in the middle of the set by head coach Steve Manuel, the Heat won seven of 11 points to grab the lead and never relinquished it, cruising to a 25-21 set victory. 

Unlike the night before, the visiting Bisons responded on the strength of some crucial kills from rookie Raya Surinx of Winnipeg, eventually taking the second set 25-18.

Using the second set to their advantage, the Bisons found the first five points in the third which was soon shut down by another game changing time-out giving the Heat momentum to take over the lead. Running the show from the front row, Abigail Dueck from Winnipeg, playing against her hometown team, found her passing game to set up the Heat’s offensive weapons as they captured the crucial third set 25-19.

Fighting until the end of every rally, the Heat grabbed the audience’s attention after back-to-back rallies that favoured the home team. Using her height to her advantage, Sydney Grills, the product of Vancouver, found herself involved in almost every point early in the fourth set, eventually firing home the match winner to give the Heat their fourth win of the season.

TOP PERFORMERS
Sydney Grills – UBCO
The third-year outside hitter led the Heat to their victory on Saturday afternoon, nailing down a match high of 21 kills along with an ace, two assists and 18 digs. Finding pockets and the open court, Grills was constantly involved at the net, locking down critical back-to-back kills in each set.

Andi Almonte – Manitoba
The second-year product of Winnipeg, was once again a strong competitor for the Bisons. Leading the Bisons offensively and defensively, Almonte put down 11 kills, two aces, three assists and 20 digs for a total of 13.5 points.

WHERE THEY SIT
After finding their first home court sweep of the season, the Heat moved to 4-2 record in the Canada West standings and sit two games behind unbeatean UBC and Trinity Western. In the other corner, the Manitoba Bisons record falls to 2-4 as they sit 10th in the conference.