UBC Okanagan Athletics Scoreboard

Heat complete their quest for revenge as they down Cascades 3 sets to none Saturday night

Saturday January 15, 2011

UBC Okanagan Gym - Kelowna BC

UBC Okanagan Heat (9-1)  take down the University of Fraser Valley Cascades (5-5) 3 sets to 0.

(25-14, 25-21, 25-18)

·         Nate Speijer was name the Landmark Cinema - Eastside Mario’s Heat Player of the Game  

KELOWNA, BC – The statement was definitive, and it’s meaning very clear.  The men’s volleyball team had extra reason to get pumped up for this one.  “We have unfinished business with UFV.  We’re going to be coming out banging and it’s going to be fun.” Those were the words of the league’s leader in total kills, Nate Speijer, who was named the Landmark Cinemas/Eastside Mario’s Player of the Game for his ever dominant offensive showing.  He was a one-man highlight machine for most of the match.  Not that he doesn’t consistently attack the way he did tonight, but there was definitely an extra fire in his eyes.  Maybe it was the fact that he had just gotten a fresh haircut and shave before the game?  Maybe it was a sign that it was “go time”? “He doesn’t cut his hair very often,” noted teammate Chris Howe somewhat jokingly, adding that “there’s a lot of revenge.” “Nate is one of those guys who keeps to himself, but you know when he’s ready to go,” setter Preston Tucker commented.  “And tonight it was pretty obvious he was ready to go.  He’s one of the leaders on this team and we look to him to have big games.”

The Heat came out of the gate decidedly stronger than they did against the Columbia Bible College Bearcats the night before, cruising to a 25-14 drubbing of the Cascades.  The Heat were on fire with their serving on the night, tallying fifteen aces (UFV had only four).  The Cascades were quicker on their feet and more balanced in the second set, managing to dig a lot more of the hard spikes coming their way from the likes of Speijer, and Mark Broome, who combined for more than two-thirds of the team’s kills for the night.  Their hustle kept them close, even as the Heat were trying to close them out 23-20.  The Heat didn’t slow down and eventually pulled away to win 25-21. 

Though down in a 0-2 hole, the Cascades refused to go away without a fight, however, going point-for-point early in the 3rd set, keeping pace with the Heat , eventually  tying it at 10 apiece.  Enter Speijer again, serving up a few killer serves, including another ace, and a few more deadly spikes, and the Heat went back up 18-12, forcing the Cascades to use their last timeout.  The extra breather didn’t help any though as the Heat ran away to a 25-17 win, taking the set, the match, and finally exacting the revenge they’ve dearly desired since early in the season.  So, what’s next?

“We’ll continue to get better,” was the simple answer that Preston Tucker provided.  “We want to peak at the right time.  We have two weeks left before provincials.  Ultimately we want to peak at Provincials.” UBC Okanagan is hosting the BCCAA Championships this year, an opportunity that the team relishes dearly.  “I’m really excited to host this year,” Chris Howe, who is currently sidelined with an injury, said.  “We’ve been really working with the Heat athletics council to really pack the stands.” Howe has been out for a few weeks now, but is anticipating a return to action by next week.  “I should be back Monday or Tuesday.  I should be good for next weekend’s games.”

 The Heat have one last road tour of the regular season, scheduled for next weekend first against Capilano College, then Douglas College the following day.  Their next home stand (also their last games of the season) are February 4th and 5th.  The BCCAA Championships will be held February 24-26th.