MEN'S VOLLEYBALL- FIRST HALF REVIEW

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2010
FALL REVIEW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEN'S VOLLEYBALL - FIRST HALF REVIEW

LANGLEY, British Columbia - The Spartans men's volleyball team had about as busy of a first half schedule as possible. From their trip to Russia to their cross-Canada pre-season journey to their 10-game Canada West docket, in all Trinity Western played 40 games in three months.

With the Spartans hosting this year’s CIS national championship March 4-6, the first half of the year was been largely about the process of learning and developing the team style, as well throwing inexperienced players into the fire, as TWU was forced to play much of the semester without the likes of Marc Howatson, Brad Kufske, Devyn Plett, Dan Jansen Van Doorn and Derek Thiessen.

But while injuries have been an issue this year, the Spartans have responded well and have had key contributions from all areas of their roster as they went into the break still the No. 4 ranked team in the CIS and sporting an 8-2 Canada West record.

“Forty matches, two continents and five injuries,” said coach Ben Josephson. “We hoped to go through as much adversity in different scenarios as possible this semester and I believe we more than accomplished that goal. All the matches and training provided some great on-court experience for some of the guys who were not expected to see that much floor time.  It also let a few players blossom beyond what we were expecting, which was great to see.  All in all I'm happy, not content, but happy with the first semester."

The key for TWU in the first half was its heavy blocking and limiting the opposition's attack at the net via a team that's average height is 6-foot-5.  After 10 games, the Spartans are second in CW with 3.31 blocks per set and have four players in the CW top 10 in blocks with Lucas Van Berkel leading the conference (1.68 per set), Dan Jansen Van Doorn fifth in CW (1.23 per set), Rudy Verhoeff tied for seventh (1.07 per set) and Josh Doornenbal 10th (1.00 per set).Trinity Western sits third in opponent hitting percentage (18.8 per cent) and twice held the opposition to less than three per cent attacking.

The Spartans do lead the conference in service aces with 1.32 per set, are fourth in hitting percentage (28.1 per cent), fifth in kills (12.4 per set) and seventh in assists (11.5 per set). Where TWU has struggled has been in its passing – something that likely would drastically improve if Howatson can return to full strength – where the team is averaging just 8.4 digs per game (8th in CW).

Individually, Verhoeff leads the team in kills with 3.61 per game (5th in CW), while Van Berkel leads the Spartans in hitting percentage (33.3 per cent; 8th in CW) and service aces (0.38 per set; 1st in CW).

Setter Ben Ball, who is having another impressive season as he’s averaging 10.5 assists per set (2nd in CW).

SECOND HALF PREVIEW

Shortly after Christmas, the Spartans get right back at it, as the sprint to nationals begins in earnest. Trinity Western will host the Spartan Holiday Classic Jan. 3-5, then will get one quick breather before they host Calgary Jan. 21-22, the team that beat them in the CIS gold medal game last year and is currently No. 3 in the CIS. The Spartans then travel to Saskatchewan and Brandon before wrapping up the regular season at home with a big matchup against currently 9-1 Manitoba.

-TW-

Last Updated: 2010-12-17
Author: Mark Janzen