UBC Okanagan – Preview: Heat Look to Build Momentum Hosting Manitoba

Last weekend the Heat hosted their first two matches of the season on their home court and they split with the Alberta Pandas.
This Friday they continue their homestand with matches on Friday and Saturday nights against the Manitoba Bisons.
6 p.m. on Friday night for first-serve, and then at 4 p.m. on Saturday night.
After finishing an even (12-12) last season the Bisons started off their season with two losses to Mount Royal last weekend.

GAME TIMES (PT)

First homestand of the season:

The Heat have split both of their series so far in the season. Both times, in the opener, the Heat would lose in a wild five-set match. Then on the Saturday UBCO would cruise to a win.
In week one the split was in Regina against the Cougars. Last weekend it was at home against the Alberta Pandas.

Players to watch:

Through four games this season, second-year left-side, Jade Bussard has increased her offensive output. In 24 matches in her freshman year, Bussard only hit on double digits in kills five times. She has hit double-digits in three of four matches to date. She also sits tied for fourth in kills in Canada West play with 52.
Rookie, Amaya Perry, has held or increased her point total every time out and is becoming increasingly more of a weapon. Her point totals through four matches, in order, are 9.5, 9.5, 12.0, 16.0.

Head-to-head with Manitoba: (11-3)

The Bisons beat UBCO twice late in the season last year during the Heat’s 14-match losing streak to end the year.
On the road, the Heat dropped the first match in straight sets and then extended the Saturday contest to four sets.

Scouting the Bisons

Season opening weekend:

After a playing .500 last season (12-12), the Bisons dropped both of their season-opening matches last weekend against Mount Royal.
Playing at home, the University of Manitoba dropped a tough five-set match in the Saturday opener.
They then fell in the rematch in four-sets on Sunday in a tough opening weekend.

Players to watch:

The Bisons have four players in the twenties for kills through two matches; Light Uchechukwu (25), Kearley Abbott (23), Laura Hill (22) and Allison Alcock (20).
Hill leads the team in aces with five and digs with 24.