The No. 8 ranked UBC Thunderbirds opened the Canada West women's volleyball season with a 3-0 (27-25, 25-21, 26-24) road win over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Friday night at the PAC in Saskatoon.

It was the first match of the season for both teams. 

Saskatchewan made a strong bid for a comeback in the first set. UBC led 15-8 before the Huskies went on a five-point run to pull within two points. Emily Humbert recorded two blocks in the run. A Marguerite Ferguson attack gave the Huskies a 19-18 lead. The teams traded the lead five times before an Alessandra Gentile service ace gave UBC the 27-25 win.

The Huskies jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the second set before the T-Birds crawled back into the set.  A Shae Beaulieu service ace and two kills by Victoria Behie kills gave UBC a 21-20 lead. Maggie Li, Emily Cicon and Danielle Briseboise closed out the set for the T-Birds for a 25-21 win. 

Once again, the Huskies jumped out to a large lead – this time nine-points.  Slowly UBC was able to get back into the set and tied it after a bad Huskie set. Two Brisebois kills and a block by Ciara Hanly and Gentile closed the match 26-24.

Brisebois led the T-Birds on offence tallying 13 kills and added eight digs. Behie pitched in recording another six kills for UBC, while Hanly tallied five. Behie led the T-Birds with nine digs.

Outside hitters Sabrina Balisky and Emmalyn Copping each recorded a team-high eight kills for the Huskies. Libero Jennifer Hueser made eight digs. 

The two teams will meet again Saturday night at the PAC. Match time is slated for 6 p.m.