Rookie Yao leads in digs in weekend wins over Heat for volley Bears
Rebecca Medel
Sports Editor
Jan 25, 2012
For a rookie who hasn’t seen much game time this season, Brendan Yao’s starting position on the volleyball court last weekend was a key component in the Golden Bears’ two wins over the UBC-Okanagan Heat.
Yao came on to replace Erik Mattson and the young libero pitched in 13 digs in Friday’s 3-0 win over the Heat and the same amount in Saturday’s 3-1 win. Before this weekend, Yao had made a few serves this season, but didn’t see much game action other than in exhibition. But his digs both nights were the most for either team.
“For him to have his first opportunity on the floor starting he did very well. I think that helped us out this weekend,” head coach Terry Danyluk said of the away wins.
Friday’s match was a close one as the Bears won each set by only two points. The Heat have three wins this season, all at home, and Danyluk said he expected them to put up a good fight as the majority of the team is made up of older players.
“I expected them to be harder to play in their gym. And both teams played kind of the same. We were efficient at times in the match and at other times in the match we allowed points and they did the same. We just managed to be tougher at the end.”
Saturday’s game was still quite a contest as the Heat won the first set and were only three points behind in the second. The Bears have struggled this season with keeping their level of game play consistent but Danyluk said they’re ironing it out.
“We play a set and hit 60 per cent and then the next set hit five per cent. To be successful, you’ve got to be able to maintain a more consistent level. That’s something that’s been plaguing us a little bit off and on throughout the season,” he said.
“We were really good at the end of each of the sets, but we had lapsed in the middle with the ball and I think that’s something that we’ve been addressing and it’s getting a little bit better, but it’s still sticking its nose in every once in awhile.”
Part of the inconsistency problem is that the Bears are a young team with nine rookies and four new starters, and there have been players in and out with injuries. But the Bears have a respectable record at 10-4, and this weekend’s match-up against the 9-5 Calgary Dinos will secure them a spot in playoffs if they win.
The Bears and Dinos met twice in the pre-season, each taking home a win, and this weekend will feature strong competition for the third place Bears and fourth place Dinos Canada West teams. The Dinos are leading the pack in kills and assists with 741 and 681, respectively.
After facing Calgary, the Bears will only have two more weekends of regular season play. The top seven teams head to playoffs and the Bears only need to win two more matches to secure a spot.
Friday’s game at 7:30 p.m. is a free entry for students, sponsored by Hudsons. Saturday’s game is at 6 p.m. Both are at the Saville Community Sports Centre.
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