WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL (CANADA WEST)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2014
TRINITY WESTERN (3) vs THOMPSON RIVERS (2)
(22-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-11, 15-13)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

SPARTANS AND WOLFPACK BATTLE IT OUT 

LANGLEY, British Columbia – The Trinity Western University women's volleyball rallied from a two set deficit to defeat the visiting Thompson Rivers WolfPack 3-2 Saturday night at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, B.C. The 22-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-11 and 15-13 win moves TWU to 2-0 on the season, while TRU drops to 0-2. 

The Spartans used a strong serve, with nine aces, and a dominating block, finishing with a 16-8 advantage, to rally and take the hard fought match. 

"We had to get past the fact that TRU was playing better than they were playing last night and we were playing at a lower level. We had to figure out the changes and the adjustments that they made and start playing the way we can play," commented TWU head coach Ryan Hofer on the team's slow start. "We got back into the match and started to put pressure on and kept pushing and were able to rise to the occasion. We needed fifth year players and all-Canadians to play like they can. Which they did after the first two sets." 

Alicia Perrin with nine kills and nine blocks and Sophie Carpentier with eight kills and 11 digs led the Spartans, while Iuliia Pakhomenko with 12 kills and 16 digs and Morgan Kolasa with 10 kills and two service aces led the WolfPack. 

The first set opened with the two teams playing point-for-point. But at 8-8 the WolfPack were able to take control as they used a Morgan Kolasa serving run to take a 16-11 lead. TRU's Brianne Rauch would extend the WolfPack lead to 20-13. The Spartans closed to 20-17, but no closer as the WolfPack took the opening set 25-22. TRU would finish the set hitting 17.5 percent to TWU's zero percent. 

The WolfPack controlled the second set as they hit for 14.8 percent, while holding the Spartans to a negative 7.4 percent. The score reflected the Spartans attacking struggles as the WolfPack led 16-14 at the break, before going on a 5-1 run to lead 21-15, before finishing of the set 25-20. 

In the third set it was back-and-forth for the two teams with TWU taking the slight 16-15 lead into the promotional break. Out of the break the Spartans took control of the set jumping out to 24-19 lead. The WolfPack held of set point before the Spartans got on the board with the 25-21 win. TWU's attack got into the positive numbers in the third set as they hit for 4.5 percent, compared to TRU who dropped to 3.4 percent.

TWU carried their momentum into the fourth set as they jumped out to a quick 11-4 lead. The two teams sided-out to the break with the Spartans leading 16-8. TWU's Rachel Flink went on a serving run that combined with a strong block gave the Spartans a 22-8 lead. Alicia Perrin closed out the set with a service ace to give TWU the game 25-11 and tie the match up at 2-2. The Spartans attack continued to improve as they hit for 21.4 percent to the WolfPacks negative 16 percent. 

To start the fifth set the Spartans continued their strong play as they jumped out to a 5-2 lead and forced the WolfPack into an early timeout. TWU would lead at the changeover 8-4. The Spartans extended the advantage to 11-6 and looked solidly in control. But the WolfPack once again used the serving of Morgan Kolasa to take five straight points and tie the set at 11-11. Alicia Perrin's middle attack put TWU up 13-11. From there it was side out until Perrin found the floor again to give the Spartans the 15-13 win and the match 3-2. In the final set TRU hit at zero percent, while TWU hit at 20 percent. 

The Spartans would finish the night hitting at 7.1 percent, while the WolfPack would finish at 5.8 percent. 

Next up for the Spartans is in Kelowna, B.C. where they will match up against the UBC Okanagan Heat. Match times on Fri. Oct. 17 and Sat. Oct. 18 are set for 6 p.m. and 5 p.m. 

Game Notes: TWU setter Nikki Cornwall twisted her ankle in the second set and played through the match as TWU's other setter Lauren Moncks was injured and in street clothes…"Nikki is one tough girl. She probably wanted to come off, but we had no one to replace her. I give her full props for the way she played tonight," added Hofer. 

-TW-