By: Matt Packwood, Brandon University Athletics

BRANDON – The UBC-Okanagan Heat didn't get the start they wanted but finished the way they liked, picking up a 3-1 (21-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-13) win over the host Brandon Bobcats on Saturday.

The Bobcats looked strong early, starting the match on a 6-0 run, at which point the Heat called a timeout. Brandon took the first set and carried that momentum into the second set.

The second set was all Bobcats until late, as the Heat went on an 8-2 run to close out the second 25-23.

The third set appeared to be all UBCO, but the Bobcats showed some life late in the set. After trailing 21-11 the Bobcats made a pair of substitutions and went on a 7-1 run but it was all for not as UBCO came away with the set and kept their feet firmly on the gas pedal taking the fourth and final set handedly.

The Heat hit .261 on the night, and while Brandon hit better as a team than the night before, but it wasn't enough to contain the #3 ranked team in the country.

Michelle Jakszuk led the Heat with 14 kills to go along with eight digs. Siobhan Fitzpatrick had a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs, while Aidan Lea had 10 kills and four blocks.

Two Bobcats were chasing school records on the night but fell just short, as Nikala Majewski had 21 kills and Michelle Egger had six aces, both just two shy of tying the school record in the respective categories.

The win improves UBC-Okanagan's record to 12-4 on the season, moving the Heat one step closer to clinching a playoff spot. The Heat will head back on the road next weekend, this time to Saskatoon to play the Saskatchewan Huskies.

The Bobcats fall to 7-9 on the season, and the road ahead doesn't get any easier as they travel to Vancouver to play the #1 nationally ranked UBC Thunderbirds.

Photo courtesy Milana Paddock