The Heat drop in three quick sets to the visiting Wesmen as Winnipeg wins their first conference match. Both (1-4) teams at it again tomorrow at 4 p.m.
Men's Volleyball (Canada West conference match)
Friday, October 30th, 2015
UBC Okanagan Gymnasium, Kelowna, BC
SET SCORES 1 2 3 TEAM RECORDS Winnipeg (3) 25 29 25 (1-4) UBC Okanagan (0) 23 27 19 (1-4)
KELOWNA, BC - The conference's leading kill getter, David Bommersbach was as advertised as he bombed UBC Okanagan for 16 kills on Friday night to lead his visitng Winnipeg Wesmen to a three set win over the UBC Okanagan men's volleyball team in the UBC Okanagan gymnasium.
This match up drops the Heat's record to 1-4 and gives Winnipeg their first win, upping thier record to 1-4.
No jet lag from Winnipeg, as the Wesmen start strong early and began the first set jumping otu to a 7-3 lead. A lead they hold until the technical timeout, after reaching the breack first UBCO scored three straight to jumop in fornt 18-16. After a Wesmen timeout it was a series of errors and kills on both sides that ultimitely went the way of the win hungry Wesmen, who took the first 25-23.
The second set started off strong for the Heat as Adam Kern started the scoring for the Heat with a kill. The two teams were never separated by more than three points in the second set. The Heat was given a confidence boost late when first year and Kelowna native Jory Dickie came into to serve for the Heat. He ripped of an ace and prompted a Winnipeg timeout. The ploy worked for the Wesmen as they rallied even after UBC Okanagan shook off set points at 23-24, and had a multiple chances at finishing the game. It was Winnipeg's persistent attacking and two late kills from Brendan Thielmann and Brendan Black that finished the set 29-27 for Winnipeg.
Early in the third set, the Wesmen put together two strong four points runs, to go up 4-1 and later 17-10. The Heat rallied and fought back narrowing the gap late in the game however it wasn't enough to overcome the Wesmen's ability to put away kills. Garrett Jones finished the set and the match with a kill closing out the third (25-19).
Coming into the match and leading the nation in with 65 kills, David Bommersbach came prepared to do his job offensively. With a successful night he has upped his conference leading number to 81 (16 kills in tonight's match).
Following Bommersbach, Taylor Howe had 11 kills for Winnipeg and Brendan Black followed with seven kills and nine digs. Josh McKay also assisted his team with 14 digs and Logan Brennan followed behind McKay with 13 digs.
For the Heat, Lars Bornemann led his team in kills with a total of 11, thgsi is the second straigh game and the third time in five outings he has led UBCO. Jim Bell followed his teammate with nine kills and eight digs. Leo Schober assisted in scoring with six points and Kristof Schlagintweit had 39 assists and nine digs. Another Kelowna native Second year middle, Adam Kern got his first start on his home court and his third start of the season.
The matcc was failry even statistically for a three set maccth, with Winnipeg holding a slight edge in kills *46) to (38) and hitting percentage (.259) to (.209). UBC Okanagan made fewer errors 15 attack errors and six service errors compared to 17 and eight for Winnipeg.
The Heat will be looking for redemption as they return tomorrow to the UBC Okanagan gymnasium to resume their series against Winnipeg. Start time 4 p.m. (Oct 31).
~ Tia Sadler // Heat communications
