WINNIPEG —  The Trinity Western University Spartans extended their undefeated streak to seven matches after sweeping the University of Manitoba Bisons at the Investors Group Athletic Centre Friday evening.
 
Trinity Western's three-set win (25-15, 25-21, 25-17) on Manitoba's Alumni Night pushed the Bisons' record to 2-5.
 
Fourth-year star outside Hilary Howe led the way for Trinity Western with a match-high 13 kills on a .462 hitting percentage. 
 
"We have a really deep team," said Howe postgame. "A lot of girls are coming on and off out the court, plus our compete in practice is huge for getting ready for any game."
 
The Spartans held a steady lead in the first set behind outside Savannah Purdy's three kills and poor Bisons' hitting. The visitors took the set 25-15.
 
Manitoba got off to a hot start in the second set, holding a 18-15 lead before a momentum-changing 10-3 Spartans run to close the set.
 
"Our service team let us down there," said Bisons' head coach Ken Bentley. "We weren't siding out and we let them back in the set… we let them have a chance with poor service."
 
Trinity Western didn't slow down in the third, sealing the match with a 25-17 third-set victory.
 
The Spartans hit a superb .329 as a team, while the Bisons only hit .120.
 
'Our side wasn't good today, and when that happens it doesn't matter who we're playing," said Bentley. "Trinity Western put us in trouble but we were our own worst enemy."
 
Right side Laura Hill was one of the lone bright spots for Manitoba, leading her team with six kills and adding three digs. Kearley Abbott finished with five kills and seven digs for the Bisons.
 
"Our compete needs to better, as well as our passing to have a better go at it tomorrow," said Bentley.
 
The Bisons and Spartans will meet again tomorrow at 6:45 p.m. back at the IGAC for the final match of their weekend series.