‘Birds bring home U SPORTS bronze

KINGSTON, Ont. – The UBC Thunderbirds are U SPORTS bronze medalists in after defeating the host Queen’s Gaels 3-1 (29-27, 26-24, 25-27, 25-17) on the U SPORTS Championship on the Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC). The T-Birds comply with their Canada West bronze medal win with the identical achievement on the nationwide stage for this system’s first U SPORTS medal since their nationwide championship in 2018.

The Thunderbirds persevered via the primary three units of the match, utilizing additional factors to defeat the Gaels within the first and second earlier than falling in additional factors within the third set. UBC would take the fourth set comfortably for the massive four-set win within the bronze medal sport.

“You dream of taking part in in environments like this,” stated UBC Head Coach Mike Hawkins. “Every part goes to be an expertise and a second. You’ll be able to shrink back from the thrill or you’ll be able to lean into it. For positive there have been some moments the group did an ideal job of overwhelming us, however I assumed the tough moments, our guys actually leaned into it.”

“For a bunch of younger guys, they do a extremely good job of staying resilient and staying true to what we’re doing.”

“As I stated to the group, I do not know if proud even begins to explain. Our objective was to play on the final day of the season, and we had been capable of obtain that by profitable the quarters. However all alongside we had been simply wanting ahead to the subsequent problem. They did an unbelievable job of stepping up as we speak.”

Reeve Gingera, who was named Participant of the Recreation for UBC within the win, led all gamers with 19 kills within the win, and completed with a .364 hitting proportion. Gingera additionally tied for the staff excessive with 9 digs.

“We find it irresistible, all yr we stay up for taking part in the video games with large crowds,” Gingera stated post-game of the staff stepping up in an enormous second. “This is the reason we play, to play in entrance of the packed home.”

UBC completed the sport with a .337 hitting proportion, in comparison with .193 for the Gaels.

MIKASA PLAYERS OF THE GAME

UBC: Reeve Gingera

Queen’s: Erik Siksna

STAT LEADERS

UBC

Kills: Reeve Gingera (19)

Factors: Reeve Gingera (22)

Blocks: James Vincett (5)

Digs: Reeve Gingera, Logan Greves (9)

Service Aces: Gavin Moes (4)

Queen’s

Kills: Erik Siksna (12)

Factors: Erik Siksna (23)

Blocks: Dax Thompkins (5)

Digs: Lhexen Rabit (7)

Service Aces: Erik Siksna (10)