A 10-2 run brought the Heat back in the third set to complete the sweep over the Cougars on Friday night and insure a regular season championship. Rematch tomorrow at 5 p.m.
Women's Volleyball (Canada West conference match)
Friday, February 19th, 2016
UBC Okanagan gymnasium, Kelowna, BC
SET SCORES 1 2 3 TEAM RECORDS Mount Royal......... (0) 17 16 24 11-12 UBC Okanagan........ (3) 25 25 26 21-2
KELOWNA, BC - The UBC Okanagan started the weekend series against the Mount Royal Cougars with a clean win straight sets (25-17, 25-26, 26-24) this Friday night in Kelowna. With the win, the Heat women’s volleyball team continue to own the best record in Canada West, at 21-2, while the Cougars drop to 11-12.
The straight set win has also guaranteed a first place finish for UBC Okanagan, the regular season championship and the right to host the Canada West Final Four in two weeks, on March 4-5, a first for the program in just its fifth year in Canada West.Regardless of sets won and lost tomorrow between the Heat and Trinity Western, there is no way for the Spartans to have a better ratio than UBC Okanagan.
The Cougars will need a win on Saturday to qualify for post season play if Calgary can win on Saturday in Manitoba, the Dinos won in four sets on Friday to move their record to (10-13).
UBC Okanagan’s attacks proved to be the difference in their first match as the Heat totalled 39 kills in the match. The Heat had two players in double digits in kills. With junior, Megan Festival earning 11 kills (.188) and Brianna Beaming earning 10 (.333). The Cougars Kylie Willis led her teams in attacks, scoring eight (.333). of the Cougars 27 kills in the match. UBC Okanagan finished the night with a (.277) attack percentage, and Mount Royal finished hitting (-.160)
Heat setter Emily Oxland led the match in assists with 26 of the Heat’s 36. Oxland was also able to capture (10) digs and (2) service aces.
While the first two sets is where the Heat were able to take advantage of the scoresheet, the third and final set is where the game saw the most action.
The Cougars came out on fire in the set and were able to take the lead after knotted at seven with the Kelowna squad. The Cougs' seemed to be more comfortable in the third set on the UBC Oanagan hardwood finding more rhythm were able to go on a (13-7) lead to give them a (20-14) advantage. However, with a kill by Katy Klomps, the Heat were able to rally and go on a (10-2) scoring streak to knot the game up at 23. For the final four points the both teams would excite the crowd and have extended rallies that ended with kills by Katie Wuttunee and Megan Festival to finish the game off (26-24) for the home squad.
The first set of the night the Heat earn a win by scoring in consecutive streaks. The Heat battling with the Cougars for the first four points of the game were able to go on a 4-0 scoring streak to take a lead (9-4). The Heat also jumped out to a (19-9) lead after going on a (9-2) run and closed out the set with a (25-17) win.
The second set was similar to the first, as the Heat were able to quickly make a (10-3) run against the Cougars. This tenacious offense was carried through the set as the Heat were able to go up (15-7, 19-11, 23-14) before closing out the match with a 25-16 win.
UBC Okanagan hit just .188 in the third set and Mount Royal got to the technical timeout in the third set, but inspired play by the home team finished off the sweep.
The Heat will be looking for a final win in tomorrow's last regular season game scheduled for 5 p.m. in Kelowna and will be sending off six graduating players in a recognition ceremony scheduled after the match.
The six women are: Brianna Beamish (Surrey, BC), Katelyn DeJong (Calgary, AB), Kailin Jones (Kelowna, BC), Chandler Proch (Kelowna, BC), Katy Klomps (Surrey, BC), and Katie Wuttunee (North Vancouver, BC). MRU's Jenna Smith will also be playing her last regular season match.
~ Tia Sadler // Heat athletics