MVB: TOP TEN MATCH UP AT THE LEC AS BRANDON TRAVELS TO WEST COAST

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL (CANADA WEST)
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2009
WEEKEND PREVIEW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MVB: TOP TEN MATCH UP AT THE LEC AS BRANDON TRAVELS TO WEST COAST

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LANGLEY, B.C. - The No. 8 ranked Trinity Western University Spartans are set to take on the No. 9 ranked Brandon University Bobcats this Fri. and Sat. at the Langley Events Centre.  The last time these two teams met they split the weekend series with the Spartans claiming the first half 3-0 and Brandon taking the second half 3-1.  Leading the way for the Spartans that weekend was outside Marc Howatson (Victoria, BC) who recorded 17 kills over the weekend.  Brandon outside Paul Sanderson recorded 38 kills over the weekend the last time these two teams saw action against each other.

BOBCATS

The Brandon University Bobcats are coming of a weekend sweep of the Saskatchewan Huskies by scores of 3-2 (27-29, 16-25, 27-25, 25-19, 15-7) and 3-2 (22-25, 25-25, 23-25, 25-18, 15-10).  Leading the way for the Bobcats on offense was outside Paul Sanderson who recorded 40 kills over the weekend.  Also providing support was outside Kevin miller who had 29 kills over the weekend.  Leading the way on the defensive side was Libero Scott Neufeld who had 20 digs over the weekend.

The Bobcats have a fairly straightforward offence centers around two key players.  Outside Paul Sanderson has 70 kills on the year averaging 3.89 kills per game and has a .195 attack percentage.  Another key offensive player is outside Kevin Miller who has 58 kills on the season averaging 3.22 kills per game and has a .227 attack percentage.  Helping set up these two offensive threats is setter Kyle Dellezay who is averaging 7.88 assists per game.

Brandon has a stingy defence holing their opponents to a .203 attack percentage.  One of the reasons the Bobcats have such a good defense is their strong net play led by middle Dan Ashfield who has 18 blocks on the year.  Helping Ashfield up front are Jonathan Sloane and Kevin Miller who both have 10 blocks on the year. The Bobcats are currently in third in digs per game averaging 10.33.  Helping in the back is Scott Neufeld who has 64 digs on the year.

If the Bobcats offense is successful it could be a long weekend for the Spartans.  They will have to find an answer for Paul Sanderson and Kevin Miller.  Look for the Bobcats to try to continue shutting down their opponents offense and improve their third ranked defense.  The Bobcats will look to continue their strong net play shtting down the Spartans offense.

SPARTANS

The Spartans opened their 2009-2010 season against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds who were ranked No. 7 at the time.  The Spartans won both nights by scores of 3-2 (21-25 25-22 25-22 20-25 15-9) and 3-1 (20-25 25-22 25-20 25-14).  Leading the way for the Spartans on offense was second year outside Steven Marshal (Abbotsford B.C.) who had 32 kills over the weekend.  Leading the troops at the net were fourth year middle Josh Doornenbal (Edmonton) and third year middle Rudy Verhoeff (Calgary) both recording 11 blocks over the weekend.

Trinity Western have a very balanced offense led by two outside and two middle players.  Second year Steven marshal (Abbotsford, B.C.) 32 kills and third year Marc Howatson (Victoria) 25 kills are hitting at .165 and .169 respectively.  In the middle third year Rudy Verhoeff (Calgary) has 19 kills and fourth year middle Josh Dornenball (Edmonton) has 18 kills to along with and efficiency of .381 and .400 respectively.  Third year setter Ben Ball (Abbotsford, B.C.) is averaging 10 assists per game good enough for fourth in Canada West.

The Spartans defense is strongest up front with both fourth year middle Josh Doornenbal (Edmonton Alta) and third year Rudy Verhoeff (Calgary) recording have 11 blocks on the year and are averaging 1.22 blocks per game.  There are also a quartet of Spartans that have registered 5 blocks on the year.  Second year Steven Marshal (Abbotsford, B.C.) is also having a strong year on the defensive side of the ball leading the Spartans with 31 digs.  Also performing well on defense is second year libero Jarrod Offereins (Calgary) who has 21 digs and Marc Howatson (Victoria) has 19 digs on the year.

TWU will look to continue their winning ways in only their second weekend of Canada West play.  The Spartans will need another solid performance from their middles if they want to be successful against the Bobcats.  The Spartans will look for another balanced offence to find a way to penetrate the stingy Bobcat blocking.  With an undefeated record on the line expect the Spartans to come out with a lot of intensity.

AT A GLANCE
Spartans (2-0)                    Brandon (3-1)
CIS Ranking 8th                    CIS Ranking: NA
Last Week:     UBC 3-2 W            Last Week:     UofS 3-2 W
                 UBC 3-1 W                      UofS 3-2 W
2008 Conference: 11-7 (3rd)            2008 Conference: (10-8) (4th)
2008 CW Championship: 1-2             2008 CW Championship: 3-1 2nd
2008 CIS Championship: NA            2008 CIS Championship:  2-1 3rd
Last CW Title: 2007                Last CW Title: 1984
Last CIS Title:    2006                Last CIS Title: NA

Last Updated: 2009-11-11
Author: Scott Stewart
Email: ssstew@twu.ca