SPARTANS HANG TOUGH IN CHINA

Women's Volleyball (China Tour)
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Fri. Dec. 14 - TWU Spartans (0) vs. Nankai University (3)
(17-25, 20-25, 26-28)
Sun. Dec. 16 - TWU Spartans (1) vs. Tanjin Institute of Technology (3)
(17-25, 24-26, 25-14, 23-25)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPARTANS HANG TOUGH IN CHINA

BEIJING, China - After flying half-way around the world the Trinity Western University women's volleyball team matched up with to top university teams from China. On Friday the Spartans fell 3-0 to Nankai University and on Sunday the Spartans fell 3-1 to Tanjin Institute of Technology.

Liz Spear (Cloverdale, B.C.) with nine kills and three blocks and Dayna Jansen Van Doorn (Langley, B.C.) with nine kills led TWU in their straight sets loss, 25-17, 25-20 and 28-26, to Nankai.

In a game that was played at 4 a.m. PST the Spartans understandably started slow, but gained momentum as the match progressed. The first two sets TWU struggled to find any kind of rhythm as they had an understandably difficult time adjusting to the time change and cultural adjustment. "This is good for us, it's taking us out of our comfort zone and putting us in situations where we need to perform when the odds are against us," said TWU head coach Ryan Hofer. "The last set was much better then the first two. We were right there with them and showed that we can play some really good ball."

The two teams will match-up again on Dec. 17.

After a few days to adjust to the culture and the time change the Spartans performed much better against Tanjin Institute of Technology. Alicia Van Huizen (Surrey, B.C.) with 18 kills, five digs and two blocks and Saralyn Stel (Delia, Alta.) with 12 kills, six digs and two blocks led the Spartans in their 25-17, 26-24, 14-25, 25-23 loss.

It was an up and down match with the Spartans playing very well for extended stretches but struggled at other times. "There were moments when we played outstanding, executing very well and playing good Spartan Volleyball. Then there were some mediocre times when we were just average and what we are leaning is that average is not does not win volleyball games," said Hofer. "There ball control is impressive, everything you hit over is contested they somehow manage to touch everything that crosses the net."

In addition to their matches the Spartans will be providing Christmas gifts to the students and staff of the Handicapped Children's Center run by the Jian Hua Society- a Christian organization in China. They will also be providing gifts and playing with about 30 deaf children from kindergarten of the Disabled Person's Association, an organization run by the Tianjin government.

Tentative Schedule
Dec. 12 Depart Vancouver for Beijing
Dec. 13 Arrive in Beijing
Dec. 14 Game at 7:30 p.m. vs Nankai University
Dec. 15 2 p.m. at Christmas Party at Jian Hua Handicapped Children's Center
Dec. 16 Game vs TUT at 3 p.m.
Dec. 17 Match at 7:30 p.m. vs TUI
Dec. 19 Visit to JHF Center, Game vs TUT at 4 p.m.
Dec. 22 Depart for Canada

-TW-

Last Updated: 2007-12-16
Author: Scott Stewart
Email: ssstew@twu.ca