SPARTANS OPEN UP NEW YEAR HOME SCHEDULE AGAINST COUGARS-TWU returns to David E. for double header against Regina

Volleyball (Canada West)
Weekend Preview
Tuesday, January 15, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPARTANS OPEN UP NEW YEAR HOME SCHEDULE AGAINST COUGARS
-TWU returns to David E. for double header against Regina

LANGLEY, British Columbia-The Trinity Western University Spartans men's and women's volleyball teams welcome the University of Regina Cougars for a double header this Friday and Saturday night. On the women's side, Regina sits four points behind the Spartans for fifth in the Canada West. The Spartan men are ahead of the Cougars by six points in conference play.

The Regina Cougars women's team (6-8) swept the Simon Fraser Clan this past weekend, winning six of seven sets to pull within four points of TWU in the Canada West. The Cougars are led by Tammy Jule (4th year, Regina Beach, Sask.), who currently sits fourth in the Canada West with an average of 3.42 kills per game. Outside hitter Michelle Zulyniak (5th year, Melville, Sask.) and Middle Beth Clark (3rd year, Regina) add 2.51 and 2.5 kills per game respectively. Sophomore Setter Claire Tarala (2nd year, Tisdale, Sask.) currently stands fourth amongst Canada West setters. Defensively the Cougars are led by Libero Kelly Cowan (4th year, Winnipeg), who averages three digs per game.

The No.6 Spartan women (8-4) had won five games in a row before their two road losses to No.1 Manitoba this weekend. TWU feature's a balanced attack, boasting five players that average over two kills per game. Leading the way is 6'2" Middle Liz Spear (5th year, Cloverdale, B.C.), with 2.7 kills per game. Spear is flanked by Alicia Van Huizen (5th year, Surrey, B.C.), Kim Klassen (3rd year, Abbotsford, B.C.), Saralyn Stel (5th year, Delia, Alta.) and Dayna Jansen Van Doorn (4th year, Langley, B.C.), who also leads the Canada West in blocks. Defensively the Spartans are led by Libero Julie McLeod (5th year, Surrey, B.C.), who is the premiere Libero in the Canada West with 4.61 digs per game.

The Regina men (1-11) are coming out of a weekend sweep against powerhouse No.3 UBC. The Cougars are led offensively by Matthew Brooks (3rd year, Whitby, Ont.), who averages 3.18 kills per game. Outside hitter Kevin Frey (2nd year, Prince Albert, Sask.) is second on the team with 2.23 kills per contest. Setter Ryan DeCosse (4th year, Brandon, Man.) currently sits fifth in the Canada West with 9.16 assists per game, while defensively Christopher Knoop (4th year, Melfort, Sask.) is fifth in the Canada West with 2.14 digs per game.

The Spartan men (4-6) return home to play their first match in the David E. since November 3rd. Last weekend the Spartans dropped a pair of matches on the road to Manitoba, leaving them tied for seventh in the Canada West with Brandon. TWU is led by experienced Rightside Steve Rogalsky (5th year, Maple Ridge, B.C.) who is ninth in the Canada West with 3.31 kills per game, and Mikiah Schalk's (2nd year, Red Deer, Alta.) 2.24 kills per contest. Sophomore Middle Josh Doornenbal (2nd year, Edmonton) has the second-most service aces in the Canada West with 21, while Mikiah Schalk adds 17 service aces of his own to the Spartan offense. Dynamic Middle Doug Van Spronsen (5th year, Dawson Creek, B.C.) is sixth in the Canada West in blocks, while Libero Mark Lindemulder (5th year, Calgary) leads the team with 2.06 digs per game.

Women's games get underway at 6 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday night. Men's games will begin at 8 p.m. Both games can be heard live on Spartan Web Radio, tune in for the pre-game show at 5:50 p.m. and 7:50 p.m.

-TW-

Last Updated: 2008-01-19
Author: Scott Stewart
Email: aestewart@wei.org