For the first time in three years, the UBC Okanagan Heat men's volleyball team are in the Canada West playoffs.

After a 9-11 regular season, the number-nine ranked team is taking on the number-eight ranked University of Manitoba Bisons in a three-game series. The nine-win season tripled the team's win total from a year ago.

Kelowna native and Middle Thys Weststrate has been one of the Heat's best players this season as he finished the regular season second in Canada West in ranked second in both hitting percentage (.451) and blocks per set (1.16).

Manitoba also finished with a 9-11 regular but earned two more points than UBCO, clinching home-court advantage.

The two teams met in January, splitting their weekend series.

The best-of-three series starts on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. Pacific time. Game two takes on Friday at 5:30 Pacific, and if necessary, game three will be on Saturday at 2 p.m. All games are taking place at the University of Manitoba.