Fast starts for the Heat, and a 22-point night from fifth-year outside hitter, Ann Richards, did not phase the Regina Cougars as they won their seventh in a row, dropping the UBCO women’s volleyball team in four sets on Friday night.
In the first three sets, the Heat would pounce on the unsuspecting Coug’s, grabbing at least a six-point lead immediately in each set, but the home team was unable to sustain that pace. Regina used a powerful block, 15 on the night, and a match-high 19 kills night from Jessica Lerminiaux to survive their road match in four sets. 3-1 (26-24, 25-18, 21-25, 25-21).
Regina took the first set late, came back in the second set to go up 2-0 before Aidan Lea had nine kills to extend the match in the third set for UBCO. Regina rebounded and flipped the score in the fourth to grab their 13th win on the season.
The Cougars are 13-8 and in fifth place, with a three-game lead. UBC Okanagan falls to 2-17 on the year.
For UBC Okanagan, it was Ann Richards, once again, with the eye-popping night. The fifth-year finished with 18 kills, hitting at a .308 clip, spun four aces and hit the floor for seven digs. Aidan Lea, the Heat’s All-Star middle went for 13 kills and rookie Jade Bussard was successful on a third of her attacks, finishing with 10 kills, Bussard added 10 digs for the double-double.
The Cougars setter Satomi Togawa, found hot-hand Lerminiaux all night long as she posted 31 assists and 13 digs. On the block, it was Brooklyn Reynolds with nine in the match.