The #2 Trinity Western Spartans men's volleyball team were victorious on the road against the #6 Manitoba Bisons by a 3-0 score (25-20, 25-19, 25-17) in a battle of two top ranked teams in the country on Friday, November 29 at Investors Group Athletic Centre ( U of Manitoba campus).

In a solid and efficient win by the visitors, Trinity Western has now won three in a row and moved their record to 10-1 while Manitoba fell to 5-6 in the Canada West season.

For the Spartans, Nicolas Del Bianco had 13 kills on .500 hitting percentage while Brad Kufske added 11 kills (on .500 hitting percentage) with four digs. Setter Adam Schriemer added 26 assists with six digs. Kevin Falconer led the Bisons with eight kills and six digs while Adam DeJonckheere with seven kills and six digs. Setter Trevor Klassen, presented during the match with the Bison men's volleyball – Dr. Dale Iwanoczko Memorial Scholarship recipient for 2013-14, registered 26 assists and five digs in the loss. The Spartans led Manitoba in team attack at 78% to 59%.

The Spartans lived up to their number two billing in the country as they cruised to the three set match victory with strong play on both the offence and defence. The young Bison team had rallied for four of their five conference victories in five sets but could not pull off the feat tonight as Trinity Western would not allow a glimmer of hope in all three sets.

In the first, after a tight 11-11 start, TWU pushed ahead with kills by Del Bianco and built up a five point lead at 20-15 and held that advantage to the end of the set.

It was more of the same in the second as the home side was down early at 7-3, 12-6 and 16-9 at the technical timeout. Manitoba rallied after the timeout to squeeze to a four point deficit before the experienced Spartans exerted their strength with kills by Kufske at the end and a 25-19 margin.

In the third, Manitoba was down 16-10 at the timeout and could not close the gap as Trinity Western had all the momentum and walked away with a 25-17 set and match after the third set.

Spartans head coach Ben Josephson said after the contest, "We tried to put pressure on them on a variety of shots against a super young and talented team. The Bison might have been underrated at the beginning of the season but they are not now and we wanted to play to our standard and ability tonight. Tomorrow is another night and we absolutely expect them to be up for the challenge."

Both teams meet again tomorrow (Sat., Nov. 30) at 7 p.m. CT on the same court.

Stats Leaders

Kevin Falconer – Manitoba with eight kills

Nicolas Del Bianco – Trinity Western with 13 kills

Two players with Manitoba with six digs

Adam Scriemer – Trinity Western with six digs

Kenny Rooney – Manitoba with four total blocks

Lucas Van Berkel – Trinity Western with three total blocks