Not since early in 2014 has the been outside the national women鈥檚 volleyball rankings.

After a bye week, one of the country鈥檚 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 鈥檚 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鈥�56 wins in 72 conference matches.

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

鈥淲e鈥檝e worked very hard to maintain the same level of play we鈥檝e come to expect over the last few years,鈥� said Manuel, whose team won a Canada West silver and national bronze medal in 2016. 鈥淎s a staff, we鈥檝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.

鈥淚t鈥檚 worked well for us.鈥�

As for his team鈥檚 6-2 start to the new season, Manuel said he couldn鈥檛 have asked for much more from the Heat.

鈥淎ll in all, I鈥檇 say we鈥檙e doing a little better than expected,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 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鈥檛 ask for any more.鈥�

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 琉璃神社.

The teams will face off Friday at 6 p.m., then again at 5 p.m. on Saturday at UBCO鈥檚 琉璃神社 campus.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e a very athletic and well-coached team,鈥� Manuel said of Regina. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e played well against some ranked teams early, they beat Mount Royal in a five-setter, so we expect them to be tough.鈥�

Heat basketball鈥�

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鈥� UBCO women鈥檚 squad (0-6) will be pursuing its first win of the Canada West season against UFV (2-6).

Pete Guarasci鈥檚 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鈥檚 next home action is Dec. 1 and 2 against the Manitoba Bisons.

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whenderson@kelownacapnews.com
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