Randy SavoieBears Volleyball
The Golden Bears volleyball team, who have won 16 straight matches, were on the road in Kelowna last weekend to face the University of British Columbia-Okanagan Heat.
Friday night’s match started slowly for the Bears as they found themselves down 7-1 in the first set. From that point onwards, the Volley Bears tightened up their attacking game, outhitting UBCO significantly in the following three sets. Combined with 17.0 team blocks, the Heat were outgunned, leaving the door open for the Bears to win the match 3-1.
The rematch on Saturday saw the Bears continue to ride the wave of momentum from the previous games. Starting off with a hard-fought, 27-25 victory in the first, the Bears used a consistent, grinding attack, as well as solid blocking and serving to cruise to a straight sets win.
The Bears will be at home next week, when the UBC Thunderbirds come to town. — Mitch Sorensen
Pandas Volleyball
In the second of two consecutive series against Top-3 CIS competition, the Pandas volleyball team left Kelowna with more blemishes on their record.
In their first match against UBCO, the Pandas stormed out to an early 1-0 lead. In the second set, however, the Heat dominated on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. With blocking as the lone statistical category leaning in favor of the Pandas, they were outgunned and lost 3-1.
Saturday night’s match saw the Pandas’ high-powered offense meet its match as UBCO outkilled the Alberta team 64-46. With similar results in the blocking, serving, and digging arenas, the Pandas lost a back-and-forth affair 3-2.
Things don’t get much easier for the Pandas, as the UBC Thunderbirds visit Edmonton next week. UBC is the third straight top-5 CIS opponent for the U of A squad, who are 1-3 in January and looking to cap out the month at .500. — Mitch Sorensen
Bears Hockey
The Puck Bears continued their inconsistent start to 2016 with a split against the UBC Thunderbirds this past weekend.
The weekend started off well enough for the green and gold, as they rode a three goal third period to a 6-3 victory on Friday night. Captain Kruise Reddick provided all of the offence in the decisive third, scoring all three goals for his team.
UBC levelled the score on Saturday with a 3-2 win, holding off the Bears in a shootout despite coughing up a 2-0 lead in the third period. Jordan Hickmott and Dylan Bredo each scored for the Bears in the third period to send the game to overtime. Despite outshooting the T-Birds 6-1 over the course of two overtime periods, the Bears couldn’t find the net, and lost the game in a shootout.
They will look to get back on track next weekend when they host the 5-15 Regina Cougars, who currently sit last in Canada West — Zach Borutski
Pandas Hockey
The Pandas came back down to earth this past weekend after starting 2016 with a sweep of the Manitoba Bisons, losing both of their games this past weekend to the UBC Thunderbirds.
The T-Birds served the visitors with a rude welcome to Vancouver on Friday night, shutting out the Pandas 4-0 behind Danielle Dube’s 25 saves.
The green and gold looked to salvage a sweep on Saturday, but fell victim to a tough 2-1 loss in double overtime. Janelle Froehler scored the lone goal of the game for the Pandas, and they were ultimately done in by Logan Boyd’s overtime winner. Dube was excellent once again in the win, stopping 24 of 25 shots directed her way.
The Pandas will look to get back on track next weekend when they travel to Regina to take on the Cougars, who now only sit a single point behind the green and gold for second in the Canada West standings. — Zach Borutski
