By: Matt Packwood, Brandon University Athletics

BRANDON – The UBC-Okanagan have enjoyed success at the Brandon University Healthy Living Centre since the facility opened in 2012, and Friday was no different as the Heat ran to a 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-15) victory over the host Bobcats.

The win keeps the #3 nationally-ranked Heat perfect in 2018 after a sweep of Alberta two weeks ago.

The Heat posted a high attack efficiency in each of the three sets, while the Bobcats struggled on offense all night.

The first and second set saw Brandon hit .028 and -.038 as a team, while the Heat finished on the positive side, led by Erin Drew's four kills on five swings in the first set.

UBC-Okanagan started the second set on a 6-1 run. Brandon battled back to tie it 7-7 at which point UBCO called a time-out. The two teams traded points, with Brandon taking a 15-13 lead. Out of the time-out, UBCO went on an 8-1 run to take back the lead and the set 25-20.

Brandon led early to open the third set, but the Heat hung around, going on an 13-2 run in the middle of the set to take an 18-11 lead, a lead they would not relinquish as they closed out the set and match in just over an hour.

The Heat were led by Siobhan Fitzpatrick's match-high 10 kills. Michelle Jakszuk added nine kills, while Drew remained efficient all night, finishing with eight kills on just nine swings.

Brandon was led by Michelle Egger's six kills, while Sami Love, Rayvn Wiebe and Nikala Majewski each put up five kills.

The loss drops Brandon's record to 7-8.

UBC-Okanagan has had good luck in Brandon, starting with a quarterfinal upset sweep of the then #2 nationally ranked Bobcats in February of 2014. The Heat went on to win the program's first national medal at the national championships held at BU's Healthy Living Centre in March of 2016. 

The two teams meet again Saturday afternoon at the BU Healthy Living Centre with first serve scheduled for 5 p.m. 

That match can be seen live on www.canadawest.tv.

Photo courtesy Milana Paddock