WINNIPEG – The UBC Thunderbirds (7-8) overcame significant flight troubles getting into Manitoba, utilizing a well-balanced attack to beat the Manitoba Bisons (2-15) 3-0 (25-15, 26-24, 25-20) on Friday night at Investors Group Athletic Centre.
Middle Gabrielle Attieh led the way with 14 kills and nine digs, while outside hitter Cara Kovacs had six kills and six assisted blocks. The Bisons were led by right side Laura Hill's nine kills and five digs.
The visitors never trailed in the first set, utilizing strong service pressure to win by ten. Overall, the T-Birds had ten service aces, led by setter/outside hitter Kayla Oxland's two. Kovacs led the attack with three kills on four total attempts.
Manitoba had just four kills in the set, three of which came from right side Light Uchechukwu who had an efficient 75 percent hitting percentage. The two sides also combined for seven team blocks. Allison Alcock — third in the conference with 1.20 blocks per set — was responsible for two of Manitoba's assisted blocks.
Both teams upped their defence in the second set, trading momentum on some big rallies as the set went to extras.
Offensively, the T-Birds were paced by Attieh. The team leader with 3.41 kills per set was dangerous from multiple locations on the court, finishing with eight kills, including three of her team's final seven points.
Manitoba got an inspired effort from Hill and left side Kearley Abbott, who combined for seven kills. Libero Jordan Hamm also had a monster dig that led to a Uchechukwu kill to tie the game at 24, however the T-Birds finished things off with two straight points from setter/outside hitter Olivia Furlan.
Middle Tessa Davis made a huge impact in the third set for UBC, recording five kills on six attacks after not recording a point prior. Her efforts, along with costly errors at times from Manitoba helped the T-Birds to a four-point lead for most of the set that they wouldn't relinquish.
"Tessa came in, and it wasn't anything overly dominating, but she found ways to score," UBC head coach Doug Reimer said postgame.
"I thought we had lots of really contributions from people, especially in the second set at key times."
Uchechukwu added three kills for the hosts as Manitoba cut UBC's lead to 19-18 at one point, however back to back errors and a Furlan service ace put momentum firmly back in the visitor's favour in the 25-20 win.
Both teams will be back at it tomorrow night.
