VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds (6-5) used a balanced attack and an inspiring and energetic 'School Day' crowd to sweep aside the Saskatchewan Huskies (2-7) in straight sets (25-18, 25-13, 25-23) on Friday afternoon inside War Memorial Gym.

The Huskies received strong games from Georgia Hurry (seven kills), Averie Allard (13 assists, seven digs), and Emily Koshinsky (six kills) in the loss, their seventh straight. The Huskies kill percentage was .135 to go along with their five team blocks.

The power and precision of the Thunderbirds' net game was the difference as Kiera Van Ryk (19 kills), Olivia Furlan (36 assists) and Courtney Hillier (eight kills) had standout performances. The 'Birds finished the day with a gaudy .340 kill percentage and nine team blocks.

UBC breezed through the first two sets on the back of Van Ryk and Furlan, who were relentless in their attack. Multiple times throughout the sets, Furlan would fake a pass to Hillier, before dishing a no-look set to Van Ryk for the kill.

Saskatchewan kept the first two sets fairly close with some excellent defence by third-year libero Shae Beaulieu, who finished with 11 digs.  

The third set was a see-saw affair that saw 13 ties and seven lead changes before the 'Birds were able to close it out.

UBC and Saskatchewan will play the second game of their weekend series Saturday evening, with the opening serve going at 7:00 p.m.