LANGLEY, B.C. – The Spartans men's volleyball team put up 12 service aces en route to a straight sets victory (25-17, 25-19, 25-21) over Mount Royal in Game 2 of the Canada West quarter-finals Friday at the Langley Events Centre.
 
The win gives TWU a 2-0 series sweep over the Cougars, as the Spartans now advance to take on Brandon (13-9, 2-0) in the conference semifinals at home beginning next Thursday (8 p.m. PT). 
 
TWU's 12 service aces were one shy of tying second-most all-time for a single game in program history, as Jackson Howe (Calgary) led the way with five. Howe and Pearson Eshenko (Banff, Alta.) each added eight kills for the Spartans, while Jacob Kern (Edmonton) chipped in 10 and Derek Epp (Winnipeg) recorded 33 assists and nine digs in the win. 
 
Spartans outside Eric Loeppky (Steinbach, Man.) meanwhile recorded six kills, and now sits just one back of TWU alum Nicholas Del Bianco (2010-2014) for sole possession of third all-time in career kills, with 1,297. 
 
The Cougars were led by Chris Byam, who had 10 kills while hitting .471 in the match. 
 
TWU opened the match on a 3-0 run, holding the lead for the entirety of the set before winning it 25-17. The Spartans recorded a total of six aces, including three from Howe. Eshenko added four kills on attack for TWU, with Mount Royals' Byam also adding four. 
 
After the Cougars took the opening two points in the second set, the Spartans would counter on a 9-3 run to take a 9-5 lead. TWU would then carry that lead for the rest of the set, leading by as much as seven points (17-10) before winning the set 25-19 off a Howe kill to take a 2-0 lead. Howe would add two more service aces in the set, as TWU had 11 heading into the third.
 
Both teams traded points frequently through the early going of the third set to the tune of 10-10. The Spartans broke free to lead by as much as five points, but Mount Royal would overtake TWU late at 20-19. A pair of Jesse Elser (Calgary) kills however would lead the way for the Spartans, as the home side would hold on for the three-set victory.
 
TWU hit .329 (41-14-82) in the match compared to Mount Royal's .232 (26-10-69).
 
QUOTABLE
Ben Josephson – TWU Head Coach
 
"Our serving today was great, and for two sets I really think that was the only thing separating these two teams. The first set we had six aces and that was the difference, whereas the second set we had a few runs which really cracked the score open. The third set was really different, though, and we said to our guys that the third set is what playoffs are really going to feel like. The desperation Mount Royal played with and the defending they had gave this game a real playoff feel. 
 
"Those of us who have been through this know that playoffs are usually like that, so it was a good reminder for us. It's been a while since we've felt that kind of pressure, so that's something we can build off going into next week."
 
On playing Brandon next week
"If Brandon is healthy they are every bit as good or better than we are. They were the number two pick in the preseason, and when healthy they are at least as good as that. We have earned the right to play these games in our city, on our court, in front of our friends and family. That's the right we've earned by having the best season, and if there's ever a chance to beat Brandon in a best two-of-three it's right here at the LEC. We saw what playing a series is like last year in Brandon, so hopefully the Spartan faithful can come out like they do and help us return the favour twice."
 
NOTABLE

• TWU was coming off a straight sets victory over Mount Royal in Game 1 on Thursday.
• Brandon won both its games against Calgary at home (3-0, 3-1) in the Canada West quarter-finals.
• The win improved TWU to 16-2 all-time against Mount Royal, as the Spartans also won both regular season matchups earlier this season (Jan. 10-11). 
• The Spartans have achieved 13 kills in a match on four different occasions, with their last coming against MacEwan Nov. 1, 2019 (W 3-0).

 
NEXT UP
The Spartans advance to take on the Brandon Bobcats in the Canada West semifinals beginning Thursday (8 p.m.) 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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