BRANDON – The Brandon Bobcats picked up their second straight five-set win against the UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday night, earning them a weekend sweep 3-2 (27-29, 25-28, 25-20, 22-25, 15-13).

The two teams picked up right where they left off Friday. After going the distance less than 24 hours ago in a five-set thriller, the Bobcats and Thunderbirds battled to a 29-27 first set that went in UBC's favour.

The T-Birds jumped to an early 5-1 set in the second set, but Brandon answered back with seven straight points and didn't look back by taking the frame 25-18.

The third set was another battle in which the two sides went toe-to-toe before Brandon went on a 6-2 run to end the set 25-20. The fourth frame was started by a 7-2 UBC run, and the Bobcats were unable to catch up with T-Birds taking the set 25-22.

Both the Bobcats and the Thunderbirds battled in the fifth set, but the Bobcats wouldn't let up, winning the set and the match 15-13. Fifth-year Brendan White teamed up with David Stastica for a block that clinched the BU win.

Sebastien Steigmeier earned a double-double for the Bobcats with 26 kills and 12 digs. He also notched a match-high five services aces.

Sam Tuivai added 17 kills, seven digs, and three services aces.

Roy Ching also had a double-double for the 'Cats with 14 kills on 30 swings (good for a .433 attack percentage) and 10 digs in tonight's contest.  

Ben Chow led the T-Birds with 15 kills and 10 digs. Mac McNicol added 14 kills and five digs.

Bobcat head coach Grant Wilson was impressed with how his team played throughout the evening.

"I thought we had some ups and downs and highs and lows, but we found a way to stabilize things, even when things weren't going our way. Our guys didn't waver or lose confidence and we found a way to win in the end. This weekend fortunately things went our way and hopefully we can carry that through into the next couple of matches," says Wilson.

"We know everything down the stretch is going to be tough. UBC is one of the best teams in the country and we have Alberta and Winnipeg right around the corner, so we need to be in these kinds of matches and find ways to succeed in these kinds of matches," Wilson added.

The win brings the Bobcat record to 14-4, while the Thunderbirds fall to 10-8.

Next Wednesday, the Bobcats will travel to Winnipeg to take on the Wesmen for the first match of a rare home-and-home series. On Friday, the Thunderbirds will face the Trinity Western Spartans at home.

(Photo courtesy MacKenzie Gerry)