Exhibition: TWU Spartans sweep two CIS Top 10 teams

by Scott Stewart, Trinity Western U Sports Info

LANGLEY, B.C. – The Trinity Western University women’s volleyball team made a strong case Friday and Saturday for moving up in the CIS Top Ten rankings.

The No. 6 Spartans defeated the No. 9 McGill University Martlets 3-0 Friday night and then followed it up with a 3-0 win over the No. 2 Universite de Montreal Carabins on Saturday night.

The Carabins and Martlets currently sit in the top two spots in the Quebec (QSSF) Conference of the CIS. Montreal is first at an undefeated 13-0, while McGill is 11-3 and in second spot.

"Playing these matches against McGill and Montreal has given us some good momentum heading into the second half of our season. Knowing that we are playing some solid teams in the exhibition season has forced us to practice with focus and with intent,” commented TWU head coach Ryan Hofer.

“Getting ready to play league after the Christmas break is always tough but we are starting to find our rhythm and ball control. We have a challenging second semester a head of us and are looking forward to some great competition."

Leading the way for the Spartans in Friday’s 27-25, 25-23 and 25-18 win over the Martlets were Kara Jansen Van Doorn of Langley, B.C. with 11 kills and 16 digs and Kim Klassen of Abbotsford, B.C. with eight kills and six digs. Libero Andrea Ball of Abbotsford, B.C. led the Spartans defensively with 19 digs.

Jansen Van Doorn led the way again with 11 kills and eight digs in Saturday’s 25-17, 25-23 and 25-21 win over the Carabins. Adding to the Spartans attack was Carmen Dyck of Creston, B.C. with 11 kills and 11 digs. Ball once again led the Spartans with 18 digs.

Trinity Western is now 9-8 overall and 5-5 in Canada West.

The Spartans return to Canada West action this Fri. and Sat. when the host the No. 5 University of Alberta Pandas. Match time on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m. PST and on Saturday is set for 5:00 p.m. Both matches will be played at the Langley Events Centre.