LANGLEY, B.C. – Trinity Western's women's volleyball team rebounded from last weekend in a big way, defeating visiting UBC Okanagan in straight sets (25-14, 25-14, 25-22) Friday at the Langley Events Centre. 
 
The Spartans hit .455 (40-5-77) in the match, the fifth highest hitting percentage in a single game in program history. 
 
Mikaelyn Sych (Airdrie, Alta.) contributed six service aces for TWU, while Hilary Howe (Calgary) added a team-high 10 kills and nine digs for the Spartans (15-2). 
 
UBC Okanagan (6-9) were led by Hellen Lacava, who contributed 11 kills and four digs. Natalie Livingston added eight kills and eight digs for the Heat. 
 
After surrendering the opening two points of the match the Spartans offence was simply too much for the Heat in the opening set, with the home side taking it 25-14. TWU's first set was highlighted by four kills from Avery Heppell (Langley) and two service aces from Sych. The Saprtans hit .750 in the set compared to the Heat's .115.
 
The second set was eerily similar, with the UBC Okanagan taking the first point before the Spartans responded on a 4-0 run. TWU would then hold onto the lead for the remainder of the set, winning 25-14. Howe had five kills for TWU while Sych picked up yet another pair of service aces. Spartans first-year Jayden Bontkes (Langley) added her first career kill at home in the set.
 
After the Spartans went up 9-4 in the third set, the Heat nabbed 11 of the next 15 points to take a 15-13 lead. TWU however would fight back with Ansah Odoom (Surrey) at the line, nabbing three consecutive points and six of the next seven to take a commanding lead. Despite a late third set push, the Spartans would hold on to win the set 25-22 for their 15^th win of the season.
 
UBC Okanagan finished the match hitting .145 (27-15-83). 
 
QUOTABLE
Ryan Hofer – TWU Head Coach
 
"Our efficiency tonight was really good, so when everybody's hitting like they did tonight we have a lot to be proud of – not to mention going into the third set having only made one error. There was also a really fun and supportive crowd out there tonight. It always makes for a great atmosphere when we can start the match with as many people as there were tonight. 
 
"Dora did a really nice job of running a balanced offence, which really helped our hitters' efficiency tonight. When Olivia was in there in the double substitution, she maintained that pace, so we just continued to put a lot of pressure on them. 
 
On tomorrow's rematch
"I give their team credit, they know how to serve the ball and tonight they put a lot of pressure on our passers. If we can be aware of a few things and clean some things up then I think we'll be in a better position to get that ball up and let our hitters do their thing." 
 
NOTABLE

• The Spartans improve to 17-5 all-time against the Heat, after sweeping last year's season series on the road in straight sets (Oct. 26-27, 2018).
• TWU also improved to a Canada West leading 15-2 record with the win. 
• Mikaelyn Sych's six serving aces were second most all-time in a 3-set match against UBC Okanagan, one ace back of her own record against the Heat, with seven (Oct. 26, 2018). 
• UBC Okanagan hit .145 (27-15-83) in the match. 

 
NEXT UP
The No. 1 Spartans take on the Heat in a rematch Saturday (5 p.m. PT) at the Langley Events Centre. 

About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 11 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes in the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) in men's hockey and as an independent team in men's rugby. The men's and women's hockey programs will begin playing in Canada West and U SPORTS in 2020-21. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 12 U SPORTS team championships and 27 Canada West team championships and two BCIHL championships.
 
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