Not since early in 2014 has the been outside the national women害羞草研究所檚 volleyball rankings.

After a bye week, one of the country害羞草研究所檚 most consistent and successful programs in recent Canada West history returns to its home court for a pair of matches against the University of Regina Cougars.

Currently occupying the No. 4 spot, S 害羞草研究所檚 Heat (6-2) have spent 48 consecutive ranking weeks in the same company as the best teams in Canada.

Despite the departures of top-end players such as Katy Klomps, Breanna Beamish, Katie Wuttunee, Emily Oxland and Kaitlynn Given over the last couple of seasons, the Heat program has managed to endure as one of the teams to beat in Canada West.

Led by the likes of Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Sara McCreary and Michelle Jakszuk, among others, the 2017-18 version of the Heat is carrying on the standard set down by teams of the previous three seasons害羞草研究所�56 wins in 72 conference matches.

Manuel, who is in his 16th season as the Heat害羞草研究所檚 head coach, said much of the program害羞草研究所檚 success stems from the ongoing development and inclusion of each and every player on the UBCO roster.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e worked very hard to maintain the same level of play we害羞草研究所檝e come to expect over the last few years,害羞草研究所� said Manuel, whose team won a Canada West silver and national bronze medal in 2016. 害羞草研究所淎s a staff, we害羞草研究所檝e worked hard to develop our whole group, not just our stars, and we tend to play a lot of our players right from the start of the season. So when people move on, others are ready to step in and do the job when their time comes.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 worked well for us.害羞草研究所�

As for his team害羞草研究所檚 6-2 start to the new season, Manuel said he couldn害羞草研究所檛 have asked for much more from the Heat.

害羞草研究所淎ll in all, I害羞草研究所檇 say we害羞草研究所檙e doing a little better than expected,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚 kind of felt with the graduation of some of key players, it might take a little while going, especially playing teams like Mount Royal and Trinity early. To be 6-2, I couldn害羞草研究所檛 ask for any more.害羞草研究所�

The Heat look to keep their 2017-18 campaign on the winning track this weekend against the Cougars who bring a 5-5 record into Kelowna.

The teams will face off Friday at 6 p.m., then again at 5 p.m. on Saturday at UBCO害羞草研究所檚 Kelowna campus.

害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檙e a very athletic and well-coached team,害羞草研究所� Manuel said of Regina. 害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檝e played well against some ranked teams early, they beat Mount Royal in a five-setter, so we expect them to be tough.害羞草研究所�

Heat basketball害羞草研究所�

After a week off, both UBC Okanagan basketball teams return to the hardwood this weekend in Abbosford. On Friday and Saturday, the Heat will take on the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades.

Claire Meadows害羞草研究所� UBCO women害羞草研究所檚 squad (0-6) will be pursuing its first win of the Canada West season against UFV (2-6).

Pete Guarasci害羞草研究所檚 Heat men have a 2-4 record, while the Cascades are 2-6.

Fourth-year Heat guard heads into the weekend 20 points shy (980) of 1,000 for his Canada West career.

UBC Okanagan害羞草研究所檚 next home action is Dec. 1 and 2 against the Manitoba Bisons.

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