KELOWNA, B.C. - The Brandon University Bobcats knocked off the UBC Okanagan Heat in straight sets on Saturday night to split their season-opening weekend series in Kelowna.

All three sets went down to the wire with extra points needed and the scores were 26-24, 27-25, and 28-26.                                 

The Bobcats in Saturday's match finished ahead both in score and statistics. They had 121 kills to the Heat's 117, hit .132 while the Kelowna squad hit .128 and had a 11.5-9 advantage in blocks.

UBC Okanagan's Lars Bornemann led the Heat for a second night in a row, finishing with 12 kills on the night. Roy Ching led Brandon with 17 kills. Jeremy Davies of the Bobcats led the match in digs, finishing with 13, for the Heat Alex Swiatlowski finished with a team high of eight digs and the Bobcat's Jacob Reid had the most assists in the match with 24.

With all three sets won by Brandon, the first was back and forth all the way through with the score tied at 5, 16, 21, and 24. Fourth year Matt Powell took over late in the set to advance the score to 24-22, but with late mistakes the Heat were able to tie the game at 24. With tensions high, two quick kills from Mason Metcalf and Roy Ching finished the set with a (26-24) win for the Bobcats. Fifth year Heat outside hitter Alex Swiatlowski and the Bobcat's Matt Powell each had five kills in the first set.

The second set, similar to the first was filled with big hits and tenacious blocks as both teams were able to stay within a three-point differential for the duration of the set. With both teams battling for the lead and tying at 24 and 25, fifth year Roy Ching was able to take control and make the two final plays points for the Bobcats for a (27-25) win.

As the Heat were able to maintain their competitive and tenacious play for the entire game. The Bobcats composure was a difference maker for the third and final set as both teams were able to battle until a tie at the 26th point. With the Heat unable to finish an attack and the Bobcats claiming the final play with a kill by Seth Friesen, the Heat dropped the final set (28-26).

With their first loss of the regular season the Heat's record drops to (1-1) while the Bobcats improve to (1-1).

The Bobcats will return home for the next weekend of play and will welcome Thompson Rivers University on Nov. 4th and 5th for the first home matches of the Canada West regular season.

With the first weekend of regular season competition completed, the Heat will continue their campaign with a bye weekend. After the bye weekend the Heat will be scheduled to play at home against the University of Manitoba on November 11-12