FREDERICTON N.B. - The UNB Varsity Red's men's volleyball team split the series with a 3-1 loss to the UBC Thunderbirds in preseason play.
After taking the first of the two game series, UNB was looking to continue their winning ways and send UBC home defeated in both contests. But UBC more rested and adjusted to the time gave UNB a better run for their money.
Irvan Brar (Surrey, B.C.) led the way with 15 kills on only one error, Ryan Colpitts (Fredericton, NB) was the man to beat for UNB with 12 kills.
Despite a UNB timeout in the early stages of the set, UNB could not seem to find a way to keep serve. A late push by the Thunderbirds gave them their largest lead of the set and would not let UNB back into it.
After the technical timeout UNB allowed their opponents to go on a 6-2 point run, a crucial series of points that helped UBC cruise to a second set win 25-20.
Two massive saves by Tristen Burridge (Fort St. John, B.C.) kept the service run alive, and ignited the home crowd. With the fans now behind them, UNB looked to make it a match. A big service ace by Mathieu Losier (Fredericton, NB) late in the set was the final nail that put UBC away. UNB was given a fighting chance taking the set 25-20.
UBC played at a much higher pace this evening and Sean Sanderson, coaching staff for UBC believes that's what really got their offence going.
"Last night I felt we were a tone more engaged," said UNB head coach Dan McMorran. "I thought UBC did a terrific job tonight and we were just slow in every department."
"I thought UBC allowed us to play at high level last night, and coming in here today, might be the best thing that could have happened," he said. "If you don't bring you're A-game against a tough competitor, you should lose, and we lost tonight as a result from that."
Michael Bourgeois for UNB communications