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By Pieter Uni
The UBC Okanagan Heat men’s volleyball team didn’t let a three-set loss to Limoliou in the semi-finals of the CCAA national championship ruin their weekend.
The Heat put the disappointing loss on Friday night behind them to beat Grant MacEwan Griffins in five sets Saturday morning to advance to the tournament’s bronze medal game.
For Heat head coach Greg Poitras, advancing to the medal game was key in salvaging what was supposed to be a championship winning weekend.
“It is important for our team to get the chance to close out the tournament on a winning note,” said Poitras immediately following the Heat’s victory over the tournament host. “We didn’t have the most balanced performance, we were pretty grumpy having to play early but as soon as we hit the floor, we were able to get through it.”
UBC Okanagan advanced after outlasting MacEwan 25-19, 22-25, 15-25, 25-19, 15-3. The Heat’s Preston Tucker was named player of the game for UBC O after recording 12 kills and one dig against the Griffins.
The Heat found themselves playing MacEwan for a berth to the bronze medal game after being swept by Limoliou in the semi-finals played on Friday night.
The Heat will now play Camosun, who beat Humber in four sets, tonight at 5 p.m. to decide who finishes third.
For Poitras, winning bronze is a must.
“It is huge for us, I have talked to our women’s coach about this before, the only thing worst than playing for bronze it losing it.”
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Tags: CCAA national championship, Grant MacEwan Griffins, Limoliou, mens volleyball, ubc okanagan heat
