KAMLOOPS, B.C. – No. 1-ranked Trinity Western made Spartans women's volleyball history, as the TWU beat Thompson Rivers 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-18) Saturday to finish the year with a best-ever 22-2 regular season record. 

This year's record eclipses the Spartans previous best in 2016-17 when the team finished the season with a 21-3 record. TWU's two losses this year is the fewest in program history. 

The victory capped a weekend sweep of the WolfPack, which saw TWU clinch first place in Canada West and home court advantage throughout the playoffs. 

TWU will now prepare to host Winnipeg in the Canada West Quarter-Finals (best-of-three) Feb. 20-22 at the Langley Events Centre. 

Saturday's win also sees TWU finish the regular season riding an eight-match winning streak. TWU was also a perfect 12-0 on the road in the regular season. 

Savannah Purdy (Victoria) had a match-high 13 kills while first-year Jayden Bontkes (Langley, B.C.) had an impressive night, registering a career-high 10 kills and 14 digs. Fellow first-year Jayda Harder (Waldheim, Sask.) had a regular season career-high six kills and five blocks. Fifth-year Jessica Bailey (Surrey, B.C.) also had a career-high five blocks. Setter Olivia Heinen (Abbotsford, B.C.) led the Spartans offence with 23 assists. 

Kendra Finch has nine kills and 13 digs to lead TRU, while Elizabeth Reimer had a team-high five blocks. 

As a team, TWU hit .186 compared to the WolfPack's .092. 

The WolfPack edged the Spartans in the first set on the strength of 14 kills and a .222 hitting percentage. TWU was held to a .150 hitting percentage and 12 kills. 

However, after that, TWU took control. The Spartans held TRU to a -.026 hitting percentage in the second set to roll to an eight-point win. 

From there, TWU earned back-to-back seven-point wins to seal the victory, hitting .264 over the final two sets.

QUOTABLE 
Ryan Hofer – TWU Head Coach
"It was a really exciting game tonight. It was really cool to see some of our players who sometimes don't see as much playing time go out there and really contribute in a valuable way. I thought our setters did a really nice job tonight. Our outside hitters adjusted really well and so we hit with a good efficiency. It was good volleyball to watch and I was thrilled to see how our players performed." 

NOTABLE
•    TWU's has won 12 consecutive conference games against Thompson Rivers, with its last loss coming Feb. 12, 2016 (3-1).
•    The Spartans had an 8-4 advantage in aces and an 11-10 edge in blocks. 
•    Including preseason, TWU has a 26-3 overall record.
•    TWU's only regular season losses this year were against Saskatchewan (Nov. 22, 3-1) and Mount Royal (Jan. 11, 3-1).
•    The Spartans have won 31 straight matches against quarter-final foe Winnipeg. The last time TWU lost against the Wesmen was Nov. 13, 2004.

UP NEXT
TWU will prepare to host Winnipeg in the Canada West Quarter-Finals (best-of-three) Feb. 20-22 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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