Calgary, AB- On Friday evening on Kenyon Court, the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds defeated the Mount Royal Cougars in straight sets (25-20, 25-22, 25-15) to remain undefeated on the season at 9-0. Meanwhile with the loss the Cougars fall to 4-5. 

In a solid team effort, each set saw a dominant performance from different Thunderbirds' players. Danielle Brisebois controlled the first; Laura MacTaggart took over the second, and Alissa Coulter was the best player on the floor in the third.

In total, Brisebois registered nine kills, MacTaggart registered eight, and Coulter had 11 to go along with four digs. Meanwhile Taylor Pelland led all Cougars with seven kills. 

Behind strong play and a few key kills from Kylie Willis, the Cougars stayed right with the Thunderbirds early in the first set. But with the score tied at 19, Cougars' outside hitter Taylor Pellend sent a serve into the net, starting a Thunderbirds four point run. 

The Thunderbirds won six of the last seven points to take the first set 25-20. Thunderbirds outside hitter Danielle Brisebois, who leads her team with 101 kills on the season, led her team with four kills in the first set. 

With a strong net front presence and excellent play from Carolina Alongi and Kylie Willis, the Cougar stormed out to a 12-6 lead in the second set, forcing a Thunderbirds timeout. 

The Cougars continued their strong play after the timeout and took a commanding 21-15 lead. However, the Thunderbirds showed that it's not about how you start but how you finish by winning six unanswered points to tie the game, forcing a Mount Royal timeout. 

The timeout didn't deter the Thunderbirds momentum. Laura MacTaggart, the most noticeable 'Bird on the floor in the second set, made a few exceptional digs as her team took 10 out of the final 11 points, stealing the second set 25-22. 

Alissa Coulter had a dominating third set for the Thunderbirds. Doing all but putting a hole in the hardwood, Coulter sent spike after spike past Cougars' defenders. The rest of Coulter's teammates followed suit, and the Thunderbirds took the third and final set 25-15.

Mount Royal will look to avenge the defeat tomorrow evening, as the teams will be back at it at 7 P.M. on Kenyon Court.