LANGLEY, British Columbia – This Week In Sparta is one of the busiest weeks of the year in Sparta, with 11 teams in action. The men's and women's basketball teams, the men's and women's disc golf teams, the men's rugby team, and the men's hockey team are at home, with the basketball teams hosting the Victoria Vikes and the men's hockey team hosting the Manitoba Bisons. On the road are both volleyball teams, the men's and women's track and field teams, and the women's hockey team. Volleyball will be in Brandon against the Brandon Bobcats, the track and field teams at the University of Washington in Seattle, and the women's hockey team in Winnipeg against the Manitoba Bisons.
 
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WOMEN'S BASKETBALL      
Friday, January 16 vs Victoria Vikes, Langley, B.C.
6 p.m. (PT) – Langley Events Centre | WATCH
Saturday, January 17 vs Victoria Vikes, Langley, B.C.
4 p.m. (PT) – Langley Events Centre | WATCH

NOTABLE

• The Spartans are currently 10-4 in Canada West play, and in the top spot in the Pacific Division in Canada West, while the Victoria Vikes are 6-7 and in fifth spot in the Pacific Division.
• The Spartans are currently 21-49 lifetime against the Victoria Vikes.
• Earlier this season, the Spartans defeated the Vikes 76-67 in their Canada West home opener on October 24 at the CARSA in Victoria, B.C.
• Last week, the Spartans dropped two road games to the then No. 10 UBC Thunderbirds. Losing 85-55 and 58-45 at War Memorial Gym in Vancouver, B.C.
• Last week, the Vikes were swept at home by the Fraser Valley Cascades. Losing 73-57 and 68-60 in Victoria, B.C.
• The Spartans are led by Cassidy Buchanan, who is averaging 12.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
• Victoria is led by Abigail Becker, who is averaging 13 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.

 
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Friday, January 16 vs Victoria Vikes, Langley, B.C.
8 p.m. (PT) – Langley Events Centre | WATCH
Saturday, January 17 vs Victoria Vikes, Langley, B.C.
6 p.m. (PT) – Langley Events Centre | WATCH

NOTABLE

• The Spartans are currently 5-9 in Canada West play, and in fifth place in the Pacific Division in Canada West, while the No. 1 Victoria Vikes are 11-2 and in top spot in the Pacific Division.
• The Spartans are currently 21-52 lifetime against the Victoria Vikes.
• Earlier this season, the Spartans lost to the Vikes 98-91 in their Canada West home opener on October 24 at the CARSA in Victoria, B.C.
• Last week, the Spartans dropped two road games to the then No. 6 UBC Thunderbirds. Losing 86-56 and 91-66 at War Memorial Gym in Vancouver, B.C.
• Last week, the Vikes swept the Fraser Valley Cascades. Winning 90-81 and 83-73 at the CARSA in Victoria, B.C.
• The Spartans are led by Marcus Shankar, who is averaging 13.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. TWU's Connor Platz is third in Canada West, averaging 8.5 rebounds per game and first in blocks with 45 total blocks to go with 11.4  points per game.
• Victoria is led by Geoffrey James, who is averaging 13.1 points, 4.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game.

 
MEN'S HOCKEY
Friday, January 16 vs Manitoba Bisons, Langley, B.C.
8 p.m. (PT) – Langley Events Centre | WATCH
Saturday, January 17 vs Manitoba Bisons, Langley, B.C.
6 p.m. (PT) – Langley Events Centre | WATCH

NOTABLE

• The Spartans are currently 3-16-1-0 in Canada West play, and in fourth place in the West Division in Canada West, while the Manitoba Bisons are 6-10-2-0 and in fourth place in the East Division.
• The Spartans are currently 5-7 lifetime against the Manitoba Bisons.
• Last year, the Spartans split with the Bisons, winning 6-3 and losing 7-2 on the road in Winnipeg, Man.
• Last week, the Spartans dropped two road games to the MacEwan Griffins, losing 7-4 and 6-3 at the Downtown Community Arena in Edmonton, Alta.
• Last week, the Bisons lost two games to the Saskatchewan Huskies. Losing 5-4 and 3-2 in overtime at the Wayne Fleming Arena in Winnipeg, Man.
• The Spartans are led by Christian Lowe with eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points, and Mikhailo Simchuk with 11 goals and seven assists for 18 points.
• Manitoba is led by Skyler Bruce with six goals and 11 assists for 17 points, and Dawson Pasternak with three goals and 10 assists for 13 points.

 
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S DISC GOLF
Saturday, January 17, TWU CanWest Collegiate Invitational, Aldergrove, B.C.
9 a.m. (PT) – Raptors Knoll Disc Golf Park
Sunday, January 18 TWU CanWest Collegiate Invitational, Aldergrove, B.C.
9 a.m. (PT) – Raptors Knoll Disc Golf Park

NOTABLE

• The Spartans men's and women's disc golf teams open the spring season, hosting the TWU CanWest Collegiate Invitational.
• Individual results can be found HERE
• Team results can be found HERE
• The Collegiate Disc Golf national Championships are held April 8-11 in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

 
MEN'S RUGBY
Saturday, January 17, vs Western Washington Vikings, Langley, B.C.
2:30 p.m. (PT) – Willoughby Stadium at the Langley Events Centre.

NOTABLE

• The Spartans begin the Spring season hosting the WWU Vikiings with a Futures XV match at 1 p.m. (PT) and a varsity match at 2:30 p.m. (PT).
• TWU's next varsity match is January 31 against Grand Canyon in Phoenix, Ariz.

 
AWAY
 
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL      
Friday, January 16 at Brandon Bobcats, Brandon, Man.
7:45 p.m. (CT) – Healthy Living Centre| WATCH
Saturday, January 17 at Brandon Bobcats, Brandon, Man.
6:45 p.m. (CT) – Healthy Living Centre| WATCH

NOTABLE

• The No. 5 Spartans are currently 8-4 and in fifth place in Canada West, while the Brandon Bobcats are 1-11 and in 14th place.
• The Spartans are currently 35-6 lifetime against the Brandon Bobcats.
• Last year, the Spartans swept the Bobcats, winning in straight sets both nights on October 24-25 at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, B.C.
• The Spartans are currently on a 23-match winning streak against the Bobcats. TWU's last loss to Brandon was 3-0 on February 1, 2014, in Brandon.
• Last week, the Spartans split with the then No. 7 Thompson Rivers WolfPack. Losing 3-0 and winning 3-1 at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, B.C.
• Last week, the Bobcats were swept by the Fraser Valley Cascades. Losing 3-1 both nights on the road in Abbotsford, B.C.
• The Spartans are led by Maryn Boldon, who is second in Canada West in kills with 3.77 per set, while averaging 2.80 and 0.36 blocks per set, and Kaylee Plouffe, who is fifth in Canada West in kills with 3.36 per set while averaging 1.57 digs per set and 0.70 blocks per set.
• Brandon is led by Stephanie Miller, who is averaging 1.93 kills per set and 2.36 digs per set.

 
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Friday, January 16 at Brandon Bobcats, Brandon, Man.
6 p.m. (CT) – Healthy Living Centre| WATCH
Saturday, January 17 at Brandon Bobcats, Brandon, Man.
5 p.m. (CT) – Healthy Living Centre| WATCH

NOTABLE

• The No. 2 Spartans are currently 10-2 and in third place in Canada West, while the Brandon Bobcats are 5-7 and in ninth place.
• The Spartans are currently 34-17 lifetime against the Brandon Bobcats.
• Last year, the Spartans split with the Bobcats, losing 3-1 and winning 3-2 on October 24-25 at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, B.C.
• Last week, the Spartans swept the Thompson Rivers WolfPack. winning 3-2 and 3-0 at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, B.C.
• Last week, the Bobcats swept the Fraser Valley Cascades. Winning 3-0  both nights on the road in Abbotsford, B.C.
• The Spartans are led by Kaden Schmidt, who leads Canada West with 4.94 kills per set, while adding 0.98 digs per set, 0.38 blocks per set, and 0.54 aces per set (second in Canada West), and Anselm Rein who his third in Canada West with 10.04 assists per set, and first in Canada West in aces per set with 0.56.
• Brandon is led by Thomas Friesen, who is fifth in Canada West with 3.49 kills per set, to go with 0.44 blocks per set.

 
WOMEN'S HOCKEY
Friday, January 16 at Manitoba Bisons, Winnipeg, Man.
7 p.m. (CT) – Wayne Fleming Arena | WATCH
Saturday, January 17 vs Manitoba Bisons, Langley, B.C.
2 p.m. (CT) – Wayne Fleming Arena | WATCH

NOTABLE

• The Spartans are currently 10-9-1-0 in Canada West play, and in second place in the West Division in Canada West, while the Manitoba Bisons are 6-8-1-3 and in fourth place in the East Division.
• The Spartans are currently 5-10 lifetime against the Manitoba Bisons.
• Last year, the Spartans were 1-3 in conference play and 1-2 in the playoffs against the Bisons, including a triple overtime 2-1 loss, which saw Kate Fawcett make a Canada West record-breaking 71 saves.
• Last week, the Spartans swept the MacEwan Griffins, winning 4-1 and 3-2 at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, B.C.
• Last week, the Bisons swept the Saskatchewan Huskies, winning 4-1 and 4-0 on the road at Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon, Sask.
• The Spartans are led by Chloe Reid, who is fourth in Canada West with 16 points on eight goals, third in Canada West, and eight assists, and Kyra McDonald, who is sixth in Canada West with 15 points on seven goals and eight assists.  
• Manitoba is led by Aimee Patrick, who is 13th in Canada West with 12 points on six goals and six assists.  

 
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD
Friday, January 16, at UW Preview, Seattle, Wash.
1 p.m. (PT) – Dempsey Indoor at University of Washington
Saturday, January 17 at UW Preview, Seattle, Wash.
9 a.m. (PT) – Dempsey Indoor at the University of Washington

NOTABLE

• The Spartans men's and women's track and field teams open the season at the Washington Preview meet in Seattle, Washington.
• Meet information can be found HERE
• The Spartans are competing in the U SPORTS for indoor and the NAIA for the outdoor season.
• The outdoor season begins on March 20 at the Willie Williams Classic at Drachman Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. 

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, hockey, and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as in the NAIA in track and field and cross country 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 33 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 U 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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