March 31
Why does Women’s Soccer succeed? It’s about the defence
Last year, Women’s Soccer finished the season as one of the best defences in the country. Next year, you can expect more of the same.
Sports & Rec
April 30
The Ubyssey’s Most Valuable Player: Lucy Borowski
We’ve saved the most important award for last — MVP. After our discussion, it was clear that nobody was more important to their team than Lucy Borowski was to Women’s Volleyball.
April 30
Finding the best (and worst) basketball courts on campus
Pickup basketball is one of the best ways to find community at UBC. But if you’re looking for a game, where should you go?
April 28
The Ubyssey’s Defensive Player of the Year: Jake Lee
While the offensive-minded players may get more statistics and accolades, there’s a reason that “defence wins championships” is a cliché. Many teams across UBC varsity sport this year have succeeded because of a great defence, and no player was more vital to those efforts than Jake Lee.
April 28
The Ubyssey’s Offensive Player of the Year: Grace Elliott
When you’re leading the country in goals for two straight years and breaking records set by Hayley Wickenheiser in her prime, you’re probably doing something right. Grace Elliott is a special player, and her excellence this season was more than enough to earn our Offensive Player of the Year nod.
April 20
The Ubyssey’s Rookie of the Year: Sophie Harrison
UBC has had plenty of promising rookies across the T-Birds’ varsity teams this year, but no first-year player made quite the same impact that Sophie Harrison did. Coming to UBC from England, Harrison immediately became a key part of the country’s best defence.
April 11
The Ubyssey’s Breakout Player of the Year: Trey Montour
For our fourth award, we’ll be recognizing the player that made the largest jump in play from year-to-year — and for us, that was receiver Trey Montour, who came out of nowhere to produce a spectacular, star-making season.
April 9
The Ubyssey’s Moment of the Year: Adia Pye’s championship-winning try
For our third award, we’re recognizing the most impactful moment of the year — a play, an off-the-field story, a celebration — a single point in time that has resonated for months after. The easy winner here was the last-second try that clinched a championship for Women’s Rugby, in front of their home crowd, no less.
April 8
The Ubyssey’s Game of the Year: Men’s Basketball’s OT thriller
For the second award, we’re recognizing the best sporting event of the year, a single game that stood above the rest in terms of tension, excitement and stakes. In the closest vote of all our awards, Men’s Basketball’s semifinal comeback win against Winnipeg took the win here.
April 7
The Ubyssey’s Team of the Year: Women’s Rugby
After watching UBC’s varsity teams throughout the year, The Ubyssey’s Sports team has come together to bestow awards on the best athletes, teams and moments of the year. Up first, Team of the Year.
March 31
Why does Women’s Soccer succeed? It’s about the defence
Last year, Women’s Soccer finished the season as one of the best defences in the country. Next year, you can expect more of the same.
March 27
Second period offensive outburst elevates ‘Birds to fifth at nationals
After a Waterloo goal gave the Warriors a lead a minute in, it looked like UBC’s season might end with a loss. Instead, UBC flipped the script early, dominating from then on — including a four-goal second period — to easily oust the host team and secure a fifth-place finish.
March 26
Rebounding after quarterfinal loss, ‘Birds blank Gee-Gees to keep season alive
Playing mostly for pride, the T-Birds looked much more like themselves in the consolation semifinal against Ottawa. Despite Gee-Gees goalie Clara Genier standing on her head in net with 37 saves, the ‘Birds dominated play to take the 2–0 win.
March 25
Carabins shock first-ranked T-Birds with upset shootout win
The most talented roster that UBC women’s hockey has likely ever assembled went out with a whimper. In a stunning shootout loss, the T-Birds continued their historical struggles at nationals, being eliminated in the first round as the higher seed for the third time in the past five years.
March 19
After opening set collapse, ‘Birds defeat Huskies in fifth set to win consolation final
Consolation brackets present a unique challenge. The ultimate goal is lost. Instead of playing for first, you play for fifth. Motivation has to come from elsewhere. For this UBC team, they found the drive they needed to end the season on a high note, allowing the T-Birds’ graduating all-star, Lucy Borowski, to end her career on a win, securing fifth.
March 17
After early stumble, T-Birds storm back through service pressure to defeat Carabins
Against Montréal, UBC’s season came dangerously close to ending after a disappointing opening set, but they didn’t let the deficit faze them. Responding by winning three straight sets, they gave themselves new life from the service line, with 11 service aces to the Carabins’ three.
March 17
Faltering in crunch time, T-Birds swept out of nationals by Spartans
After these in-province rivals had battled to the final point of the fifth set in their last two meetings, it felt like a given that this game, on the national stage, would also go the distance. Instead, Trinity Western swept the T-Birds, taking advantage of UBC’s inability to convert late in all three sets.
March 15
Rhodes’ goal seals fourth Canada West title in last five years
It was a fitting end to their Canada West campaign. After a season where the ‘Birds won the most games in conference history with a lineup that featured Canada West’s top player, defender and coach, they took home the conference title as well, sweeping Manitoba in a tight 1–0 contest.
March 13
After semifinal loss, ‘Birds rebound in bronze medal game
Coming off a five-set playoff thriller against Trinity Western that they lost by only two points, taking them out of contention for the conference title, the T-Birds weren’t given much time to process. It didn’t matter. They scored a decisive win in the bronze medal game, giving them crucial momentum before nationals.
March 13
Season ends on sad note for Men’s Basketball
After a crushing collapse against the TMU Bold ended their shot at a medal in the quarterfinals, Men’s Basketball came out flat in their consolation semifinal against Laval. While they put up a fight in the second half, the early deficit — and the loss of all-star Nikola Guzina — was too much to overcome.
March 13
Julie Smulders' got next
After last stepping on the court as a UBC Thunderbird more than 20 years ago, ‘Birds basketball alumni Julie Smulders continues to make an impact on the program. Establishing her non-profit “She’s Got Next” nearly two years ago, she’s driven to promote and support women’s sport — both at UBC and beyond.
