T-Birds secure seventh straight victory

KELOWNA, B.C – Make it seven wins in a row for the UBC Thunderbirds (9-3) after a second straight 3-1 victory over the UBCO Heat (6-6) at UBCO Gymnasium. The T-Birds have now swept the season series with their sister school and have won the last 10 head to head matchups with the Heat.

UBC outscored UBCO 66-53 overall on the night, now pushing their Canada West-best points per set mark to 16.9. The ‘Birds doubled up the Heat in aces, 6-3, and nearly doubled them in hitting percentage, swinging to the tune of a cool .315 versus .188 for the home side.

Individually, Dawson Pratt led the way for the T-Birds with 16 kills, along with nine digs. Reeve Gingera was dynamite from the service line, earning a match-high three aces. Jesse Umoren led all players with four blocks.
 

Unlike in Friday’s 3-1 victory, UBC started strong and won the first set 25-15. The T-Birds took advantage of a struggling Heat attack, while sprinkling in their own efficient hitting. The set ended on a four-point run including kills from Pratt and Kieran Robinson-Dunning.

The Heat bounced back in the second set. Tied 12-12, UBCO ripped off a five point run and withstood several UBC counterattacks. Though the ‘Birds brought the set to within 1 several time, the Heat never gave up their advantage and pulled out a 25-22 win.

The third set was back and fourth until the teams hit double digits, when the T-Birds began to pull away. A gradual advantage eventually ballooned to a 25-15 win thanks to three kills from Gavin Moes and a pair of aces from Gingera down the stretch.

In the fourth and final frame, UBCO posted the best hitting percentage by either team in any set, but it was the players from Point Grey who came out on top. The T-Birds built a lead and bent but did not break during a late rally from the Heat, holding on for a 25-22 win, punctuated by Gingera’s 15^th kill of the match.

The Thunderbirds now get a week off before playing their first home matches of 2025 when they host the Manitoba Bisons. The ‘Birds and Bisons are set to do battle at 7:30 p.m. (PT) on Friday, January 24^th and then again at 6:00 p.m. (PT) on Saturday, January 25^th. Tickets can be purchased here.