BRANDON – The host BU Bobcats pulled off a massive win in a five-set marathon 3-2 (25-16, 22-25, 25-14, 17-25, 15-11) over the visiting UBC Thunderbirds Friday night. It was an uphill battle for Brandon in the fifth set though as they trailed early before going on a remarkable run to end the contest.
 
The Bobcats had a great start in the first set, as UBC struggled to get going. The T-Birds put up six service errors before the first technical time-out. BU responded with two quick service aces from Nikki Majewski and the Bobcats made quick work of the set 25-16.
 
Reigning CIS player of the year Lisa Barclay went to work for the T'Bids in the second set, putting up 8 kills in the second frame, giving UBC a 25-22 set score and tying the match 1-1.
 
The third set was all BU and the fourth was all UBC, setting up a dynamite fifth set. UBC stormed to an early 7-3 lead in the final frame before BU rattled off seven straight points to take a commanding lead and eventually the match.
 
The win marks the first time in program history the Bobcats have beat the Thunderbirds at home.
 
The match was also the first of two in the final weekend series between two Canada West and CIS stalwarts for the past five years in Brandon products Meaghan Robertson of the Bobcats and Lisa Barclay of the Thunderbirds.
 
Barclay recorded a match-high 19 kills to go with six digs and two bocks. Danielle Brisebois put up 12 kills and five digs.
 
Jodie Baker was lights out for BU, putting up eight kills and seven blocks. Shanlee McLennan had a double-double with 14 kills and 10 digs while Tori Dakin had 11 kills and nine digs. Mary Thomson and Meaghan Robertson both had five blocks while Donata Huebert had a match-high 13 digs.
 
With the win Brandon improves to 11-6 on the season while UBC falls to just one game above .500 at 9-8.
 
The two teams will meet again Saturday in the second half of the weekend series. First serve is scheduled for 5:00 pm at the Brandon University Healthy Living Centre.