The University of Regina's men's volleyball team opens up its Canada West schedule this weekend against the No. 5-ranked UBC Thunderbirds. Match times are scheduled for 8 p.m. on Friday and 6:15 p.m. on Saturday at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport.

The Cougars will sport a new look this year as head coach Greg Barthel has several new recruits that he expects will make an immediate impact for the Cougars.

Leading the group of returners is fifth-year middle blocker and team co-captain Joel Colter, who set school single-season records in both total blocks and blocks per set last year after transferring from Lethbridge College. Also back for a fifth and final season is outside hitter Jamie Wilkins, who finished ninth in Canada West with an average of 3.16 kills per set last year.

Joining Colter in the middle once again is fifth-year player Drew Smith, who will enter his third season as a starter for the Cougars. The team's crop of fifth-year players is rounded out by Brody Waddell, who switches to right side this season after playing his first four years at the U of R at left side.

At setter, Caleb Eschbach and Matt Hender have split the setting duties through the non-conference schedule and that is expected to continue through when Canada West matches start this week.

As for the newcomers, libero Jacques Borgeaud has extensive experience with the Australian national junior team and is should fill the absence left by the graduation of Lindsey Isaak quite nicely. Jacques' older brother Andre has shown the ability to hit multiple shots and play solid defence and will start alongside Wilkins at left side. Middle blocker Marco Vargas will also see significant playing time after transferring from Mount Royal University, while Barthel has described first-year right side Andrew Nelson (Campbell Collegiate) as a quickly developing player who's been dynamic at the net.

After going 7-11 last season, UBC's men's team looks to be poised for a bounce-back season as the Thunderbirds enter the weekend ranked No. 5 in the country. UBC has seven fifth-year players on the roster, including libero Tanner Kozak, setter Chris Klassen, hitters Demijan Savija and Robert Bennett, and middles Joe Cordonier, Yaroslav Kozel, and Cary Brett.

Ticket information is available at www.reginacougars.com. Both matches this weekend will be webcast live at www.canadawest.tv.