WINNIPEG – The No. 1 Trinity Western Spartans (7-1) dominated play at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Saturday evening, beating the Manitoba Bisons (3-3) in straight sets (25-16, 25-20, 25-18).
The nation's best Spartans established their athleticism and skill early on in the match, building significant leads in the first two sets. A competitive start to the third set also ended tipping in Trinity Western's favour, as they won nine out of 12 points late to secure a quick victory.
Second-year Jesse Elser led the visitors with eight kills on 15 attempts (.200), while third-year Jackson Howe had his second straight ultra-efficient performance — recording five kills at a .833 hitting percentage, following up a ten kill, .714 match on Friday. The Spartans also won that match in straight sets.
For Manitoba, third-year Owen Schwartz led the team with seven kills, while Ben Carleton added five. First-year middle Darian Koskie recorded three service aces.
In the first set, Trinity Western built a lead quickly by scoring seven of the first eight points. Two of those points came on blocks, as Howe and Brodie Hofer made strong plays at the net. Though Manitoba would trade points with them through the rest of the set, they weren't able to get a run of their own going — eventually yielding the set, 25-16.
The two teams traded four-point runs early in the second set, as Koskie recorded two aces for the home team. Down 21-14 late, Manitoba climbed back into the set thanks to a block and two excellent setups from setter Dylan Sutherland. A five in six-point run by the Bisons cut the Spartans lead to three (22-19), but two kills from Jesse Elser helped secured the set for the Spartans, 25-20.
Trinity Western found a similar run midway through the third to build a 17-10 lead — this one including two kills from Hofer. They would go on to win and finish the match, 25-18.
The Spartans will return home next weekend to face the Saskatchewan Huskies, while the Bisons compete in the 29th annual Duckworth Challenge, playing the Winnipeg Wesmen on November 22 at Duckworth Centre (U of Winnipeg campus) before Saturday's matches at IGAC.
