LANGLEY, B.C. – The UBC Thunderbirds closed out their season on a winning note Sunday, rallying past the Saint Mary’s Huskies 3-2 to capture fifth place at the 2026 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship, presented by Booster Juice, at the Langley Events Centre.
UBC prevailed in the tightly contested match, 14-25, 25-21, 30-28, 22-25, 15-12, to finish the campaign with a 22-5 record (17-3 Canada West). Saint Mary’s ends its season at 15-12 (10-10 AUS).
After dropping the opening set 25-14, the Thunderbirds responded with a strong second set to level the match at one apiece. UBC’s serving pressure proved decisive, helping swing momentum as the Canada West squad settled into the match.
The third set turned into the pivotal battle of the afternoon. With both teams trading runs late, UBC eventually outlasted the Huskies 30-28 to move ahead in the match.
Saint Mary’s refused to fade, bouncing back in the fourth set with a 25-22 win to force a deciding fifth. The Huskies leaned on their frontcourt attack, led by player of the match
Alena Piatukhova, to push the contest the distance.
In the final set, however, UBC held its composure. The Thunderbirds built a narrow lead before closing out the match 15-12 to secure the fifth-place finish.
Ella Ungemach, UBC’s player of the match, delivered an efficient offensive performance with 15 kills while hitting .500. Lucy Borowski led all players with 21 kills and added six service aces and 13 digs in a standout effort for the Thunderbirds.
For Saint Mary’s, Piatukhova was dominant at the net, finishing with 12 kills, four solo blocks and six block assists while hitting .462.
Emilia Mikanovich added 18 kills and 12 digs, while
Jordin Parsons chipped in with 10 kills.
The result secures fifth place nationally for UBC, while the Huskies conclude their championship appearance with a sixth-place finish.
MIKASA PLAYERS OF THE MATCH:
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