Saturday, October 31

WESMEN def UBC Okanagan 3-1 (25-22, 25-17, 22-25, 25-22)

The University of Winnipeg Wesmen completed a weekend sweep against the UBC Okanagan Heat with a 3-1 ( 22-25, 17-25, 25-22, 22-25) victory Saturday on the road in Kelowna, BC

Match Boxscore

Winnipeg (2-4) won the series opener on Friday in straight sets over the Heat (1-5).

For the Wesmen David Bommersbach finished with 17 kills, keeping him on top of the list for most kills in the conference(now with 98 kills). Taylor Howe was next with 14 kills and Garrett Jones added10 kills.

The Heat were led by Lars Bornemann 18 kills. Jim Bell dropped 16 kills and tallied six blocks. 

In the first set the the two teams were never separated by more than three points at any time and the Wesmen were able to pull away with kills by Taylor Howe, David Bommersbach, and Brendan Black putting a gap in the score that the Heat were unable to come back from. It was a kill from Taylor Howe ending the first 25-22 in favor of Winnipeg.

The second set ended with one of Jones kills after a slow start for UBC Okanagan that allowed the Wesmen to jump into a lead. This lead by the Wesmen early in the set was held for the duration of the game. The Heats inability to effectively finish their kills led to Winnipeg's 25-17 set win.

In the pivotal third set started much the same as the first two with the Heat having trouble connecting on offense, once again allowing the Wesmen to take command early with the lead. The Heat would find their rhythm in an attempt to hit the technical timeout first, for the first time in the match. Winnipeg got their first, and the it clicked for UBC Okanagan. A series of small scoring streaks, led into a late six point streak where the Heat finally reclaimed the lead at 20-19. The Heat cut the Wesmen lead to 2-1 in the match winning the set 25-22.

Looking to build on the third set win the fourth set once again started slow for UBC Okanagan, allowing the Wesmen to take a 3-1 lead. Staying within reach throughout the fourth, it was UBC Okanagan's inability to finish vital kills trying to close out the set that cost them a chance for a fifth set. It was a kill by Garrett Jones of the Wesmen that finished the set 25-22 for Winnipeg, who trailed 22-20 just five point prior.

Winnipeg returns to home court next Friday and Saturday to face the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack.

Friday, October 30, 2015

WESMEN def UBC Okanagan 3-0 (25-23, 29-27,25-19)

The conference's leading kill getter, David Bommersbach was as advertised as he bombed UBC Okanagan for 16 kills on Friday night to lead his visiting Winnipeg Wesmen to a three set (25-23, 29-27,25-19) win over the Heat Friday evening in Kelowna, BC

Match Boxscore

Winnipeg picks up their first win of the regular season to sit at 1-4, The Heat fall to an identical 1-4 mark.

No jet lag from Winnipeg, as the Wesmen start strong early and began the first set jumping out to a 7-3 lead. A lead they hold until the technical timeout. UBCO scored three straight points to jump in front 18-16. After a Wesmen timeout it was a series of errors and kills on both sides that ultimately went the way of the Wesmen, who took the first 25-23.

The second set started off strong for the Heat as Adam Kern started the scoring for the Heat with a kill. The two teams were never separated by more than three points in the second set. The Heat was given a confidence boost late when first year and Kelowna native Jory Dickie came into to serve for the Heat. He ripped of an ace and prompted a Winnipeg timeout. The ploy worked for the Wesmen as they rallied even after UBC Okanagan shook off set points at 23-24, and had a multiple chances at finishing the game. It was Winnipeg's persistent attacking and two late kills from Brendan Thielmann and Brendan Black that finished the set 29-27 for Winnipeg.

Early in the third set, the Wesmen put together two strong four points runs, to go up 4-1 and later 17-10. The Heat rallied and fought back narrowing the gap late in the game however it wasn't enough to overcome the Winnipeg's  ability to put away kills. Garrett Jones finished the set and the match with a kill  closing out the third by a 25-19 margin.

Coming into the match and leading the nation in with 65 kills, David Bommersbach came prepared to do his job offensively. With a successful night he has upped his conference leading number to 81 (16 kills in tonight's match).

Following Bommersbach, Taylor Howe had 11 kills for Winnipeg and Brendan Black followed with seven kills and nine digs. Josh McKay also assisted his team with 14 digs and Logan Brennan followed behind McKay with 13 digs.

For the Heat, Lars Bornemann led his team in kills with a total of 11. Jim Bell followed his teammate with nine kills and eight digs. Kristof Schlagintweit had 39 assists and nine digs.

The Wesmen and Heat will conclude their series Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. (Winnipeg Time).

(Files from UBC Okanagan Sports Information)