The No. 9 ranked UBC Okanagan Heat opened up weekend play with a 3-0 (25-13, 25-11, 25-22) decision over the University of Winnipeg Friday night in the Dr. David F. Anderson Gymnasium in Winnipeg.

UBCO with the win improve their regular season record to 9-4. Winnipeg with the loss fall to 1-12.

Second year middle Aidan Lea was a force for the Heat finishing with nine kills, two blocks and a hitting percentage of .818. Siobhan Fitzpatrick had eight kills and seven digs. Erin Drew finished with seven kills.

For the Wesmen Danika Picklyk and Karissa Kuhr each finished with seven kills. Libero Madison Fyvie finished with a match high 11 kills.

The opening set started out even as Winnipeg and the Heat were tied at 4-4. Kuhr and Alex Rose had two kills each for the Wesmen in the early going. The Heat found some breathing room going on a 5-0 run to open up a 9-4 lead. UBCO maintained their five point advantage to the technical timeout leading 16-11. The Heat closed out the set on a 9-2 run to win the opening set 25-13. The Heat finished the set with one attacking error and a hitting percentage of .458.

UBCO's efficient hitting continued in the second set. The Heat finished the set with only two attacking errors and a hitting percentage of .565. UBCO went into the technical timeout with a commanding 16-7 lead. A service ace by Kaitlynn Given ended the set in the Heat's advantage 25-11.

In the third set, UBCO jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead but soon after the Wesmen fought back to close the gap to 6-4. A 6-1 run by the Heat extended their lead to 12-5, forcing a Wesmen timeout. At the technical break the Heat led 16-10. Winnipeg found their game soon after scoring six of the next eight points to close the gap to 18-16 forcing the Heat to take a timeout. The Heat tasted match point at 24-19 but a determined Wesmen squad fought off three set points to close the gap 24-22. The Heat closed out the set and the match, winning the third set 25-22.

The two teams will complete their weekend series Saturday night. Match time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.