LANGLEY, British Columbia– Led by fourth-year outside Kaden Scmidt's (Mississauga, Ont.) 20 kills the Trinity Western Spartans earned a tightly contested three set win over the Saskatchewan Huskies Saturday night at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, B.C. The 28-26, 33-31, 25-23 win improves the Spartans to 15-3, while the loss drops the Huskies to 9-11.
 
In addition to Schmidt, the Spartans had strong games from second-year outside Zach Hofer (Langley, B.C.) with 10 kills at .421 hitting, with two blocks and two aces, third-year outside Piers De Greeff (Victoria, B.C.) with seven kills at .429 hitting efficiency. Isaiah Mamer with 14 kills and three digs, and Mathieu Methot with 11 kills led the Huskies.
 
Fifth-year setter Anselm Rein (Erfurt, Germany) ran the Spartans' attack and finished with 38 set assists to go with one ace, six digs. Noah Opseth led the Huskies attack and finished with 41 assists and seven digs.
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will now host the Mount Royal Cougars on seniors' weekend on February 13-14 at 7 p.m. (PT) and 5 p.m. (PT) at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, B.C. The is available live on Canada West TV.
 
QUOTABLE
Adam Schriemer, TWU Head Coach
"Going into the game, we talk about how the Saskatchewan will probably play better tonight than they were last night. And how we don't need to do much different tonight. We just have to play better for longer. And that was kind of it tonight. We played at a high level for three long sets, but they also did, and the game was very close, could very well gone to five games, or could have very well gone to three the other way. We're just really happy to close it out and get it in three sets. I thought Zach Hofer was awesome tonight, getting his first start, and he was great, he held his own, and received good serving pressure, and was really efficient. And then what Willem did in reception today was really impressive, as well. ?And that allowed Slammer to have one of the best weekends of his semester so far."
 
AS IT HAPPENED
Trinity Western and the Saskatchewan opened their match with a tightly contested first set. Both teams exchanged points early on, with Saskatchewan's Mathieu Methot and Isaiah Mamer each contributing multiple kills. Trinity Western responded through Kaden Schmidt, who tallied several key points, including a late kill at 23-23 to regain the lead. The set remained even until the final moments, with Trinity Western capitalizing on an attack error by Saskatchewan's Aaron Elser, ending the set 28-26 in favor of the home team.
 
In a closely contested second set, Trinity Western managed to edge out Saskatchewan with a 33-31 victory. The set featured multiple lead changes, highlighted by a key kill from Schmidt that tied the score at 28-28. Saskatchewan's Mamer and Emmett Graham contributed pivotal points, with Mamer leveling the score at 29-29 with a kill. However, Trinity Western capitalized on a crucial attack error by Graham, blocked by Zach Hofer and Cory Schoenherr, to clinch the set.
 
The Spartans secured the third set with a narrow 25-23 victory over the Huskies. The set saw early exchanges, highlighted by a service ace from Hofer that contributed to Trinity Western's initial lead. Saskatchewan responded with consistent attacks, including kills by Mamer and Elser, keeping the score close. Key plays included a pivotal kill from Jackson Corneil, assisted by Tate Calles, which brought Trinity Western to set point, followed by Schmidt's decisive kill that ended the set. Despite a strong effort from Saskatchewan, Trinity Western maintained their edge to close the set with another two point win 25-23.
 
NOTABLE

• The Spartans finished the night hitting at .394 (52-11-104), while the Huskies finished at .340 (49-13-106).
• TWU had the edge in service aces 3-0, blocks 7-2, and digs 37-33.
• The Spartans are currently 46-23 lifetime against the Saskatchewan Huskies.
• Last season, TWU split with Saskatchewan in the regular season and then lost the best of three quarter final series 2-1 in Saskatoon, Sask.
• Last night the Spartans defeated the Huskies 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 25-20)
• With two matches remaining in the Canada West season the Spartans could finish anywhere from second to fouth, with only two wins separating TWU, UBC Okanagan, and Alberta. UBC is in top spot at 17-1, while Alberta is in fourth at 13-5, with Manitoba in fifth at 12-6.

 
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 and 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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