Canada West Semi Final: T-Birds bound for nationals after win over Regina

The #1 ranked UBC Thunderbirds women's volleyball team will meet the #3 ranked Manitoba Bisons for the Canada West conference championship after beating the #5 ranked Regina Cougars 3-1 (25-16, 15-25, 25-19, 25-13) February 26 at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.

UBC was led by Kyla Richey, who had 16 kills, while setter Katie Tyzuk picked up 55 assists in the game. Other UBC players with double digit kills include Liz Cordonier with 15, Shanice Marcelle with 12, and Jen Hinze with 10.

For the Cougars, Meagan Onstad led the way with 13 kills and team mate Beth Clark was the only other Cougars player to score double digit kills, with 11. Kaitlyn Hughes led the Cougars in digs with 13.

The fourth set was the most lopsided of the game, as UBC jumped ahead to a 5-1 lead early, and an 8-3 lead by the first technical. The Cougars didn't seem to have an answer for the UBC attack like they did in the second set, as the UBC lead grew to nine by the second technical timeout. The Cougars picked up some points late, but it wasn't enough to deny UBC a gold medal berth, as the Cougars lost the fourth set 25-13.

Momentum from the second set carried into the third for the Cougars, who held a slim 8-7 lead at the first technical timeout. But UBC quickly changed that, taking over the lead and by the second technical, they had a 16-14 lead. From this point, Canada West's only undefeated team in women's volleyball outscored the Cougars 9-5 from that point, picking up a 25-19 third set win.

In the second set, the Cougars showed they were at the Final Four tournament for a reason, taking a 12-11 lead over UBC and only stretching it as the set went on. UBC tried to mount a comeback late after calling a timeout trailing 21-15, but the only team that scored points after that timeout was the Cougars, who picked up four straight to win 25-15, tying the game at one set apiece.

The Cougars were able to hang with UBC for the early part of the first set, trading points back and forth until the first technical timeout, where UBC led 8-6. UBC would keep the pressure on, as their lead would grow to five points by the second technical. In the end, the Cougars weren't able to put together a comeback, as UBC put up three straight points at the end of the set to seal it 25-16.

This sets the stage for February 27 when Regina will take on Trinity Western in the bronze medal match at 6:00 p.m. CT, while UBC and the Bisons will square off in the gold medal game at 8:00 p.m. CT.