VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds opened the home portion of their season with a win as they defeated the visiting Mount Royal Cougars 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-17) on Friday night inside War Memorial Gym.

“I thought we did a great job dictating the match from the service line. Once we settled down in the second set, we knew we could control the game,” said UBC head coach Mike Hawkins, following his team’s second win of the season.

Early on both teams exchange thunderous kills and raucous blocks, but the Cougars got the better of the ‘Birds as the home team was forced to take an early timeout trailing 13-9. Coming out of the timeout it was much of the same as the Cougars were able to extend their lead thanks to strong defensive play by their front line.

Mt. Royal took a 16-11 lead into the technical timeout and were up 20-11 when UBC called their second and final timeout of the set. The ‘Birds were able to mount a valiant comeback on the shoulders of fourth-year middle Jordan Deshane who sparked the ‘Birds with his strong offensive play recording two big kills. The effort unfortunately fell short as the ‘Birds dropped the opening set 23-25.

Deshane kept his strong play going into the second set as he recorded two early blocks to put the ‘Birds up 4-1. UBC kept the strong offensive play going forcing the Cougars to take a timeout trailing 9-5.

The boys in blue kept the pressure on, highlighted by some trickery from Colton Liu setting up Nick Mickelberry for a great kill, and that was all the offense the ‘Birds needed as they cruised to a second set victory 25-17.

The third set told much of the same story. Strong offensive play by the ‘Birds combined with some big blocks propelled the ‘Birds to an easy third set victory 25-16.

The fourth set saw some great defensive work from both sides which culminated in some exciting rallies and great points. It was a back and forth set but the ‘Birds were able to pull ahead into the technical timeout leading 16-9. That was all UBC needed as they cruised to a fourth set victory and the match.

“I think it was nervous energy to start, but once we settled in, it was just the positivity after each point,” Hawkins said of how his team handled playing in front of the energetic home crowd.

Both teams are back in action tomorrow at War Memorial with first serve set for 7:30 p.m. PT.

[SOURCE: UBC]