The host and No. 1-ranked UBC Okanagan Heat will take on the UBC Thunderbirds Friday night in the opening game of the Canada West women's volleyball championship.

The first semifinal match of the Final Four starts at 6 p.m at the Kelowna campus gym.

Steve Manuel's Heat defeated the T-Birds in both matches during the regular season in Kelowna, 3-1 and 3-0.

Then at 8 p.m., in the other semifinal, it's the defending champion Trinity Western Spartans taking on the Alberta Pandas.

The winners will meet in the gold final Saturday a 7 p.m., while the losers will square off in the bronze medal match.

The top three teams will all qualify for the CIS national women's volleyball championship March 11 to 13 at Brandon University.

The Heat (22-2), which finished first in the conference this season, is hosting the Final Four for the first time in its five-year Canada West history.

UBCO is also looking to make its first ever appearance at the national championship.

The Heat placed fourth at the Canada West finals in each of the last two years.