Thomas Judek, University of Regina Sports Information
REGINA - The University of Regina women's volleyball team came back from two sets down to beat the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds Friday night at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health, and Sport.
Despite No. 3-ranked UBC having match point late in the third set, the Cougars fought all the way back to pull off the reverse sweep. In the fifth, the Cougars trailed late at 12-11 but three straight UBC hitting errors gave Regina match point. Outside hitter Leah Sywanyk had the match-clinching kill with a big attack from the left side that beat two Thunderbird blockers.
The win improves Regina's record to 12-9 while UBC suffers just its fourth loss of the Canada West schedule.
Ashlee Sandiford led the way on offence with a match-high 20 kills while also adding nine digs. Togawa played a key role by delivering a double-double with 34 assists and 13 digs. Fourth-year libero Taylor Ungar had a solid performance with a team-high 17 digs. Kathleen Ens played excellent defence at the net to lead all players with six blocks while also contributing seven kills and three assists.
Kiera Van Ryk and Anna Price each had double-double performances for UBC with 18 and 14 kills along with 19 and 17 digs, respectively. Fifth-year setter Alessandra Gentile controlled the Thunderbirds offence with a match-high 38 assists. Libero Samantha Patko had a match-high 22 assists. Olivia Furlan had an all-around solid match with seven kills, nine assists and 18 digs.
UBC (15-4) dominated the first set 25-11 and won a very close second set 29-27. After going up 24-23 in the third, the Thunderbirds just needed one point to pull off the sweep. The Cougars wouldn't allow that to happen. They fought back to take the lead before setter Satomi Togawa clinched it with a service ace to earn the Cougars a 26-24 set win. Regina rolled from there to take the fourth set 25-19 and the fifth and deciding set 15-13.
The Cougars will look to continue their hot streak (winners of seven of their last eight) tomorrow night (7:00) against UBC in the second match of the weekend doubleheader.