KAMLOOPS, British Columbia – The No. 8 Trinity Western men's volleyball team earned its fourth straight three-set win, knocking off Thompson Rivers 25-14, 25-23, 25-16 Saturday at the TRU Gym.

After taking the first set by 11 points, the Spartans rallied from a five-point deficit late in the second set – thanks in large part to a key double sub – to take a 2-0 lead before cruising to a tidy finish in the third set.

The win improves TWU to 13-9 on the season and puts them in a tie for fifth in the Canada West standings with two match remaining. The Spartans will host UBC next weekend and still have a chance to move into fourth place and host an opening round series.

The WolfPack's loss to the Spartans on Friday night eliminated TRU from post-season contention, so Saturday's game was all about honouring their senior athletes, which included Brad Gunter, who is Canada West's all-time kills and points leader. The WolfPack finished the season at 10-14. 

The Spartans were led by Ryan Sclater (Port Coquitlam, B.C.), who had eight kills and four blocks while Blake Scheerhoorn (Belleville, Ont.) and Scott Plocktis (Kelowna, B.C.) had five kills each. Aaron Boettcher (Surrey, B.C.) had six blocks.

Gunter had 11 kills to lead TRU in his final university match.

"It was a weird game," said Spartans coach Ben Josephson. "It was two teams doing different things. Their season was effectively over and they were playing their last game of the year and honouring their seniors and having lots of fun. They were just trying to bang the ball and have some fun and be together one last time. I totally understand and respect that, but it was tough for us to find some rhythm in the first set.

"The problem for us is that it carried over into the second set and it took a double sub late to spark a comeback. However, for us it was an incredible job of being focused and intense and winning points in our service and our block and transition kills and forcing errors. That was a really great sign for our team to come back like that."

With TRU committing nine service errors in the first set, the Spartans earned the win while needing six kills.

In the second set, the WolfPack opened a 20-15 lead, but then a double sub, which saw Devyn Plett (Winnipeg) and Jacob Kern (Edmonton) enter the game, launched a Spartans rally as they roared back to win 25-23.

With momentum on their side, the Spartans opened a 9-4 lead in the third set before rolling to a comfortable win. A Scheerhoorn ace finished the set and the match.

"It was a strange game and we just had to find a way to grease our way through it," Josephson said. "We got another tough road victory and now we get to head home and try to protect home court against the 'Birds."

Game Notes: The Spartans are tied with Saskatchewan at 13-9 and one win behind fourth-place Winnipeg…The Wesmen play undefeated Alberta in their seasons finale while Saskatchewan plays Regina…One win next weekend will clinch a playoff spot for TWU.

-TW-