First year Sophia Furlan is becoming a serve specialist in her first year with the veteran Heat team. (Photo by Greystoke Photography)
UBC Okanagan win two straight in Winnipeg as they handily dispatch the Wesmen in straight sets Saturday night. Back at home next weekend to host Saskatchewan.
Women’s Volleyball (Canada West conference play)
Saturday, November 8th, 2014 BOX SCORE | SCHEDULE & RESULTS
Dr. David F. Anderson Gymnasium, Duckworth Centre, Winnipeg, MB
| FINAL | 1 | 2 | 3 | SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UBC Okanagan (6-4) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Winnipeg (4-4) | 19 | 14 | 21 | 0 |
WINNIPEG, BC – The UBC Okanagan Heat completed a weekend sweep on the road at the Winnipeg Wesmen, going to a straight 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-21) result Saturday afternoon at the Dr. David F. Anderson Gymnasium in Winnipeg.
The weekend sweep is a breath of relief following back-to-back losses to the UBC Thunderbirds a weekend prior.
“I know it’s a cliché but this weekend was a total team effort,” said Heat coach Steve Manuel following the match. “Our team has matured over the past few weekends. We are seeing new people step into leadership roles and everyone making contributions at different times.”
Fourth-year outside Brianna Beamish (Surrey, BC) led the Heat with a match-high nine kills and a team-high three service aces. Teammates Katie Wuttunee (4th year, North Vancouver, BC) and Michelle Jakszuk (2nd year, Gibsons, BC) followed behind with seven kills apiece.
Regular starting middle Katy Klomps (Surrey, BC) was not with the team this weekend, but Manuel was very pleased with how others stepped up to the plate. “Our middles were very effective both days. [It] was great to see Katie Wuttunee (North Vancouver, BC) and Erin Drew (Kelowna, BC) making their presence felt.”
The Wesmen’s Tia Boroski led Winnipeg with seven kills. Mackenzie Jeffrey added six along with four service aces.
A close first set saw both squads trading blows to a 9-9 tie to start. However, just like Friday’s showing the Heat would open up a series of runs to gain control of the set and eventually take the first frame 25-19.
The Heat commanded the second set from start to finish, going out to a 9-2 start, a 16-7 cushion into the technical break, and eventually the breezy 25-14 win.
The Wesmen would lead 10-6 to open up the third set to try and force a fourth, but the visiting Okanagan group would recover and lead from the technical break throughout.
The Heat improve to 6-4 for the season to stay afloat of .500, while the Wesmen are out to a 4-4 record through the first eight matches of the season.
UBC Okanagan returns home next weekend to host the Saskatchewan Huskies for a weekend series while the Wesmen also come westward to visit the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack in Kamloops. The Friday night matchups will both get underway at 6 p.m.
Watch the action online and stream live stats at canadawest.tv.
~ With notes from Sheldon Appelle (Winnipeg Sports Information)