Preview: REGINA* (2005-10-28)

Men’s Volleyball (conference)
Friday, October 28, 2005
TWU Spartans (3) vs. the University of Regina Cougars (0)
(25-17, 25-12, 25-17)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Spartans’ Attack Dominates Cougars
2005 CIS silver medalists TWU too much for Regina

LANGLEY, British Columbia – TWU’s past two First Team All-Canadians led the way as the Spartans won in straight sets over the visiting University of Regina. 2005 All-Canadian Steve Rogalsky (3rd yr, rightside, Maple Ridge, BC) and 2004 All-Canadian Chris Meehan (5th yr, middle, Clearwater, BC) paced the Spartans with 11 kills each to the 25-17, 25-12, 25-17 victory to open the Canada West men’s volleyball season Friday night at TWU.

The Cougars (0-1) were unable to handle the Spartans’ attack tonight. TWU (1-0) came within half a percentage point of tying the school record for attack percentage as the Spartans converted on 53.1% of their attempts. The record of 53.6% was set last season against the Calgary Dinos on Nov 6, 2004.

The first set started with Regina taking an early 3-2 lead off of a kill by Noah Roellchen-Pfohl (Estevan, SK). On the next side-out TWU’s Jeff Stel went back to serve and did not stop until TWU was up 7-3.TWU continued their strong play to the second timeout, using a 9-4 run to lead 16-7. The two teams played side-out ball for the rest of the way as TWU took the first set 25-17.

TWU came out even stronger in the second set. The Spartans quickly jumped out to an 8-3 lead at the first time-out and pushed it to 16-8 at the second. Steve Rogalsky finished it with a crosscourt attack to give the Spartans the set 25-12.

Regina raised their level of play to start the third set as they matched TWU to the midway point of the set, trailing12-11. But tonight the Spartans had too much power. Trinity Western closed out the match with a 13-6 run to take the final set 25-17.

Chris Knoop (Melfort, SK) led the Cougars with 12 kills.

The two sides will square off again tomorrow night. Match time at TWU is scheduled for 8 pm.

Match notes: Meehan led TWU at 66.7%, followed by Rogalsky at 60%...Regina finished the match converting on 14% of their attacks…the Spartans led the Cougars in blocks 7-2…

-TW-