(By University of Regina Sports Information)

REGINA – The University of Regina's men's volleyball team lost in three straight sets to the No. 1-ranked team in the country on Friday night, losing by scores of 25-23, 25-21, and 25-14 to the UBC Thunderbirds at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport.

UBC hit .455 as a team in the win and the Thunderbird offence got better as the night went on. The visitors hit .440 in the first set, .444 in the second, then hit .480 during their convincing third-set victory that clinched their 17th Canada West win of the season.

Kevin West and Irvan Brar led the way for UBC. West had 14 kills and hit .650, while Brar finished up with 14 kills while hitting at a .556 clip in the victory. UBC setter Byron Keturakis finished with 38 assists in the win and – besides West and Brar – also made efficient use of Jordan Deshane (7 kills, .600) and Joel Regehr (6 kills, .455).

Brennan Goski led Regina (2-19) with nine kills. The Cougars actually outhit UBC in the first set after collecting 13 kills and only two errors on 24 attacks for a .458 percentage, but couldn't complete a late comeback after falling behind 22-17 and the Thunderbirds converted their fourth attempt at set point.

The win improves UBC's record to 17-2 on the season. The Thunderbirds could pull into a tie for first place in the Canada West standings if Trinity Western (17-1) loses later on Friday night, with the Spartans also in action on the road facing a 10-8 Calgary team.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday night at the CKHS. Match time is set for 5:00.