WINNIPEG – The No. 4 UBC Thunderbirds' dangerous outside attack was on full display on Friday night at Investors Group Athletic Centre, as they topped the Manitoba Bisons 3-0 (26-24, 27-25, 25-17).
The win is UBC's 11th straight and improves their record to 12-3, while Manitoba falls to 7-8.
The T-Birds came into the contest with three of the top 20 hitters in the conference in Matt Neaves, Coltyn Liu, and Michael Dowhaniuk, with all three averaging over 2.53 kills per set. Their efforts led the way again, as the trio combined for 33 kills, paced by Dowhaniuk's 14.
Manitoba countered with right side Kevin Negus and left side Ben Carleton, who each had eight kills.
"Those guys are just diligent workers," UBC head coach Mike Hawkins said about his trio of outside hitters.
"They have a good relationship with both of our setters, so even when Zec Johnson comes in, there isn't much of a difference in the quality of our offence."
Manitoba has been dealing with the loss of back-to-back conference blocks leader Brendan Warren in the middle. Rookie Darian Koskie has played admirably, however a powerful UBC team made their presence felt.
"We've had quite a few guys in there," noted Bisons head coach Garth Pischke of the situation in the middle.
"I think in lieu of it, they've done alright. It would nice to be a little bit better there for sure, we didn't block a lot of balls again tonight. It's a powerful game and when guys are swinging away and you're not blocking any balls they just keep swinging away. When a few come back at them then they get a little more tentative."
The Bisons had a well-balanced attack in the first set, as Carleton (three kills), Koskie, Negus, and Zach Janzen (two kills each) helped the hosts to a 24-22 set lead.
The T-Birds overcame the deficit however, getting a huge contribution from substitute Nick Mickelberry off the bench in the latter stages. The 6'7" outside hitter had a massive kill with the game tied at 24 and also had the set-ender with a key assisted block alongside middle Harrison Byrne.
"It's funny. Nick's a big basketball fan and we kind of call him the sixth man a little bit," added Hawkins. "He comes in and is an x-factor. He always seems to have a positive impact, whether it's immediately on the stats sheet with kills and blocks or the energy that he brings."
After combing for 11 kills in the first set, UBC's dangerous outside attack of Coltyn Liu, Michael Dowhaniuk and Matt Neaves continued to roll in the second. Dowhaniuk led the way with seven kills as the T-Birds won another close set 27-25.
Manitoba continued to get an inspired effort from Carleton and Negus, who each had three kills for a Bisons team that hit 39 percent. Carleton put one away to narrow UBC's lead to 24-23, however super sub Mickelberry once again played a big role late with a kill, while Dowhaniuk ended things with a service ace.
The visitors got out to a six-point lead at the technical timeout and didn't look back, wining the third set by eight. A versatile attack continued to be the name of the game, as Jordan Deshane ran the middle efficiently, finishing with three kills and seven overall.
The two teams will be back at it tomorrow night.
