UBC Okanagan Athletic Scoreboard

Heat take down Mariners and reclaim #1 ranking

Saturday February 5, 2011

UBC Okanagan Gym - Kelowna BC

UBC Okanagan Heat (13-1) emerge victorious over the VIU Mariners (13-1) 3 sets to 1.

(25-17, 21-25, 25-15, 25-17)·  

       Jill Festival named the Landmark Cinema - Eastside Mario’s Heat Player of the Game

KELOWNA, BC – In a much anticipated matchup with one of the largest, loudest crowds of the season, the Heat Women’s Volleyball team avenged their only loss of the season to beat the #1 ranked Vancouver Island University Mariners 3 sets to 1.  Jill Festival was named the Landmark Cinema / East Side Mario’s Player of the game, with 8 kills, 9 digs and 1 assist. 

The atmosphere was completely electric, with possibly the largest and loudest crowd for the Home team this season.  “It’s great to hear [the fans] cheering you, supporting you,” said Festival after the game.  Girls from the local Kelowna Volleyball club showed up to give their support, showcasing several signs and vigorously cheering every point scored by the Heat.  “We’ve coached a lot of them,” said Festival. “It’s great to be able to give back to the community…we give back to each other.”

It was a true clash of the titans as a well coordinated and strong defense by the Mariners prevented the often overwhelming firepower of the Heat.  Though the Heat won the first and third sets by margins of 8 and 10 points, every set was marked by several long, intense and hard fought rallies.  After winning the first set 25-17, the Heat found themselves on the receiving end of a barrage of strong attacks, particularly from the Mariners’ Lindsay McLoughlin, who finished with a match high 16 kills.  The increased pressure from VIU earned them a win in the 2^nd set 25-21. 

In the third set the Heat got into a more solid offensive flow, running their offense with some great passing by starting setter Caitlin Nyhus, who finished with 41 assists. Alex Basso also found her hitting stroke, killing 14 on the night. The Heat eventually cruised to a 25-15 win, inciting intensive cheers from the crowd. 

The Heat exhibited some of their best team play this season, with multiple players stepping up and making big plays at various points. Kaylan Gouldsborough and Myrte Schon both had hitting streaks late into the 4^th set that helped ice the win 25-17, clinching the match.

The crowd was a definite factor in the last Home league game for the team.  “We really try and focus on our game and not look at any distractions [in the crowd], but it really helps and brings a lot of energy.”

It was the biggest game of the regular season for the Heat, having lost to VIU back on November 20^th, a loss that dropped them from 1^st to 4^th in the Nation, 2^nd in provincial standings.  After the win tonight the Heat are back on top of the province and hope to regain a  #1 rank again in the CCAA.  With their last match of the regular season over, the team has a two week break from game action until the BCCAA Provincial Championships, which UBC Okanagan will be hosting from February 24-26^th.  “Practices are definitely going to pick up,” commented Jill Festival.  “Playoff practices are different.”

Catch the Heat and the best of the province in action at the 2011 BCCAA Championships starting February 24^th at the UBC Okanagan gymnasium.