WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL (CANADA WEST)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2014
TRINITY WESTERN (3) AT THOMPSON RIVERS
(25-12, 25-13, 25-20)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NO. 3 SPARTANS GET WEEKEND SWEEP OF WOLFPACK

KAMLOOPS, British Columbia – Using a variety of line-ups the Trinity Western University Spartans defeated the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack 3-0 Saturday night at the Tournament Capital Centre in Kamloops, B.C. The 25-12, 25-13, 25-20 win moves the No. 3 Spartans to 14-4 on the season, while the loss keeps the young WolfPack squad winless at 0-18. 

For the second straight night Trinity Western was led by second year outside hitter Sophie Carpentier (Ottawa) who had 12 kills in 19 swings with three service aces, nine digs and a block assist. Fourth year outside Carly Hamilton (Calgary) added six kills in 15 chances with four digs. Rookie setter Nikki Cornwall (Coquitlam, B.C.) had 20 assists and 11 digs while fourth year setter Lauren Moncks (Standard, Alta.) added 13 assists.

Leading the way for the WolfPack was third year outside Carly Nelson (Victoria) led in kills with five in 32 attempts along with six digs.  Second year middle Kristen Giesbrecht (Gretna, Man.) had three kills in 19 swings with four digs.  While first year middle Morgan Kolasa ( Calgary), also had three kills in 16 chances with a team high eight digs and a service ace.   

"The thing I respect about that team (TRU) is that they play with a lot of heart," said Spartans head coach Ryan Hofer. "They don't give up. They go out and battle and they put everything out on the floor.  It is fun to play them that way. I am proud of my girls and the way they took care of business this weekend."

Hofer liked the way his team battled with different combinations. "We are still exploring our line up. We are checking out what will be our strongest team for the playoffs.  With this weekend, we got a look at everyone."

"This match was much better than Friday," explained TRU interim head coach Chad Grimm. "It didn't show on the scoreboard. But we showed more emotion on the court.'

The WolfPack have four matches left in the regular season including two in Regina next weekend (Jan 31-Feb 1). Grimm has seen a change in the team's morale in the four matches he's coached them. 

"Today was a turning point," he said. "Heads were not hanging.  We came up with a gutsy effort after some frustration in the first and second set.  We would make a great shot and Trinity would counter. We kept our heads up and we have the potential to turn sets around."

Grimm says the last four matches of the year—in Regina and the following weekend (Feb 7-8) at home to Manitoba are winnable. "That is the nature of sport.  We saw that last night with UBC losing to Mount Royal.  That is why you play the game, anything can happen when you give your all."

Moving forward, Hofer is looking forward to battling the Brandon Bobcats next weekend in the Manitoba city. "It will be a battle for second and third. Hopefully, we can come up big again.  We take away from this weekend the chance to tinker with our line up and get better."

Match Notes: After starting the season 2-3 the Spartans are now on a nine match winning streak and have not dropped a set in their last six matches…tonight's win also clinches a play-off spot for the Spartans… TWU can still finish as high as first or as low as fifth with the four matches remaining in the Canada West season… the Spartans need one more win to secure a home play-off spot…

-TW-
- notes from TRU Sports Information.