MVB: SPARTANS AND THUNDERBIRDS OPEN LANGLEY EVENT CENTRE FRIDAY NIGHT

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL (CANADA WEST)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2009
WEEKEND PREVIEW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPARTANS AND THUNDERBIRDS OPEN LANGLEY EVENTS CENTRE FRIDAY NIGHT

Live Video

LANGLEY, British Columbia – This weekend the Trinity Western University and the No. 10 Spartans will host their first ever Canada West competition at the Langley Events Centre when they play the No. 7 University of British Columbia men’s volleyball team on Fri. Oct. 30 and Sat. Oct. 31

Last year the Thunderbirds swept the Spartans at their home gym beating TWU 3-1 on both nights.  The Thunderbirds are currently 1-1 on the season while the Spartans get their season underway this weekend.

Last week the Thunderbirds split their weekend series with the University of Winnipeg Wesmen.  They opened up the weekend with a 3-1 (27-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-19) loss but bounced back claiming a 3-2 (25-19, 20-25, 26-28, 25-18, 15-12) victory on Saturday night.  Leading the way for the Thunderbirds on offence was Demijan Savija who recorded 37 kills through all nine games.  Robert Bennett also contributed heavily has he recorded 26 kills in nine games.  On defence Blair Bann had 28 digs to lead the Thunderbirds.  Joe Cordonier and Demijan Savija both recorded 16 blocks good enough for first on the UBC squad.

UBC is returning only one of their top four offensive players from last year in Bennett.  Last year Bennett recorded 99 kills over the regular season.  Helping set up the offense for the Thunderbirds is setter Ryan Zwarich who has 94 assists through nine games this season.  The Thunderbirds are currently second in hitting percentage at .249, but sit sixth in kills with 103.

The Thunderbirds are returning their top digger in Blair Bann.  Last year he recorded 222 digs and already this year he has 28. Bennett and Zwarich are also digging quite a few balls as they both have 15 digs on the year. Cordonier was the second best blocker last year with 53 blocks over the year.  Through nine games this year he is tied at the top for blocks with 16; 2 solo blocks and 14 assists.  Demijan Savija is also doing a lot of work on the defensive end and has 16 blocks.

The Spartans are returning their top offense threat in third year outside Marc Howatson (Victoria).  Last year he had 255 kills.  Fourth year middle Josh Doornenbal (Edmonton) and third year middle Rudy Verhoeff (Calgary) also contributed heavily on offence last year with 164 and 157 kills respectively. In addition second year transfer Steve Marshall (Abbotsford, B.C.) is expected to see plenty of action on the outside. Doornenbal also led the team last year in service aces recording 62 aces through 79 games.  The Spartans are returning third year setter Ben Ball (Abbotsford, B.C.) who recorded 222 assists last year.

The Spartans have many returning players who had strong defensive performances last year.  Third year middle Rudy Verhoeff (Calgary) had 88 blocks to lead the Spartans. Doornenbal also is strong on the defensive end and recorded 80 blocks last season. Third year Marc Howatson is the top digger returning for the Spartans.  Howatson dug 130 balls last year which was good enough for third on the squad.

AT A GLANCE
Spartans (0-0)                               UBC (1-1)
CIS Ranking 10                              CIS Ranking: 7
Last Week: No Games                     Last Week:     UofW 3-1 L
                                                                          UofW 3-2 W
2008 Conference: 11-7 (3rd)            2008 Conference: (10-8) (4th)
2008 CW Championship: 1-2            2008 CW Championship: 0-2
2008 CIS Championship: NA            2008 CIS Championship:  NA
Last CW Title: 2007                         Last CW Title: 1984
Last CIS Title: 2006                         Last CIS Title: 1976

Last Updated: 2009-10-30
Author: Scott Stewart
Email: ssstew@twu.ca