WINNIPEG – The Trinity Western Spartans fell to the No. 7-ranked University of Manitoba Bisons 3-0 (25-10, 25-18, 25-18) on Friday at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. 

The loss drops the Spartans to 5-6, while Manitoba improves to 7-4.

Maryn Boldon led the Spartans with 15 kills and a .220 hitting percentage. Sydney Gill contributed significantly as a setter, recording 24 assists. Kaylee Plouffe was effective both offensively and defensively, securing seven points and four digs while maintaining a .217 hitting percentage. Faye Murray added nine kills.

Raya Surinx led the Bisions with 19 points, highlighted by her impressive performance of 17 kills with a .469 hitting percentage. Additionally, Surinx contributed defensively with 15 digs. Katreena Bentley had 34 assists. Andi Almonte had 13 digs and five total blocks. Brenna Bedosky also was effective at the net, contributing five total blocks and maintaining a .400 hitting percentage with five kills. 

Historically, TWU holds a narrow lead in their lifetime matchups against Manitoba, with a record of 27-26.

QUOTABLE
Ryan Hofer, TWU Head Coach
"Full props to Manitoba tonight. They showed what a top level team looks like and they set the standard and they set the bar for a top Canada West team. They sustained offensive and defensive pressure all night long. I felt there were moments when we played well with them, but we couldn't sustain it over long periods of time. So I think it's a good lesson for us of where we need to get to. We're up for the challenge and looking forward to making some adjustments and putting an even better performance tomorrow night."

AS IT HAPPENED 
The first set began with the Bisons taking an early lead. Despite this, Boldon secured the first point for the Spartans with a kill assisted by Mikayla McBain. Later in the set, a series of successful plays by Plouffe and Boldon helped the Spartans narrow the gap to 12-6. However, the Bisons maintained their momentum and closed the set with a 25-10 advantage.

The second set saw the Bisons take an early lead with a 4-1 run, capitalizing on a service ace by Eve Catojo. TWU responded with strong performances from Murray and Boldon, who each registered key kills to keep the score within reach, bringing it to 13-10. Despite Boldon's consistent offensive efforts, including another kill at 20-16, Manitoba maintained their advantage, eventually closing out the set at 25-18 with a service ace by Surinx.

The third set saw the Spartans starting strong with key contributions from Boldon and Murray, who each recorded multiple kills. The Spartans managed to close in on the Bisons at several points, tying the score at 6-6 and later, narrowing the gap to 22-18 with a streak that included a kill by Erika Bang and another by Murray, assisted by McBain. Despite these efforts, the Bisons extended their lead with a final service ace by Ella Gray, concluding the set with a 25-18 score.

UP NEXT
TWU and Manitoba will play the rematch Saturday at 4 p.m. (CT) at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.

About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby and women's and men's disc golf. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 14 U SPORTS team championships and 34 Canada West team championships.

About Trinity Western University
Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in CIS sports. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.  

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