WVB: SPARTANS HOST BOBCATS IN TOP TEN MATCH UP AT THE LEC

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

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WVB: SPARTANS HOST BOBCATS IN TOP TEN MATCH UP AT THE LEC

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LANGLEY, B.C. - The No. 8 Trinity Western University Spartans are set to take on the No. 9 ranked Brandon University Bobcats.  The Spartans had a week off last weekend while the Bobcats swept the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 3-1, and 3-0.  The last time these two teams met they split the series in Brandon.  The Spartans won the first half 3-0 while the Bobcats bounced back and won the second half 3-2.  Leading the way for the Spartans was Kim Klassen (Abbotsford, B.C.) with 24 kills over the weekend.  The Bobcats were led by Sara Grona who had 21 kills over the weekend.  This should be a very even matchup as the teams are very even in many statistical categories.

BOBCATS

The Brandon University Bobcats swept the University of Saskatchewan Huskies over the weekend with scores of 3-1 (25-21 25-28 27-29 25-16) and 3-0 (25-12 25-18 25-12).  Leading the way for the Bobcats on offense was outside Sara Grona with 21 kills.  Also contributing was outside Teagan Hunter who finished the weekend with 19 kills.  Hunter also led the Bobcats on the defensive side recording 29 digs over the weekend.

The Bobcats have a potent offense that is currently third in offensive efficiency.  The Bobcats are hitting at .232 though 15 games.  Leading the way for the Bobcats is outside Teagan hunter who has 45 kills on the year and is averaging 3.00 kills per game.  Supporting Hunter on the offensive side is middle Eric Visch-Krahn who has 42 kills on the year and is hitting at .370 percent.  Setter Becky Young is currently fourth in Canada West with 147 assists on the year for an average of 9.80 assists per game.

The Brandon Bobcats have an equally strong defense ranked third in opponents hitting percentage.  Helping contribute to the strong defensive statistics for the Bobcats are middles Eric Visch-Krahn and Claire Willerton who both have 14 blocks on the season.  Outside Sara Grona is not far behind with 12 blocks.  Libero Nicole Clemons and outside Teagan Hunter are doing a great job digging the ball and they lead the team with 45 and 47 digs respectively.

The Bobcats have a very strong offense and will need to continue that performance if they wish to be successful this weekend.  They have a very efficient offense led by Teagn Hunter and Sara Grona who had great outings against the Spartans the last time these two teams met.  Look for the Bobcats to try to establish a strong net presence as they have many strong blockers as well.    

SPARTANS

The Trinity Western University Spartans suffered a pair of losses in their last two matches of the regular season.  The No. 1 ranked University of British Columbia Thunderbirds defeated the Spartans 3-0 (25-17 25-21 25-15) on Friday and 3-2 (25-22 25-27 26-24 26-28 15-13) on Saturday.  The pair of losses dropped the Spartans to 2-2 on the season.  On Saturday Trinity Western’s Kara Jansen Van Doorn (Langley, B.C.) set a school record recording 25 kills in the match.  She completed the weekend with 29 kills over two nights and 8 games played.

The Spartans are led on offense by fourth year outside hitter Kara Jansen Van Doorn who has 55 kills on the season and is hitting at .171.  She is joined by a strong supporting cast including two fifth year players.  Klassen has 34 kills and Carmen Dyck (Creston, B.C.) with 29 kills are hitting at .123 and .203 respectively.   Third year setter Lauren O’Reilly (Langley, B.C.) is a major reason the Spartans are having such success on offense.  She is currently eighth in Canada West averaging 8.83 assists per game.

Trinity Western has one of the best defenses in Canada West so far holding their opponents to an offense hitting percentage of .140 good enough for second best in Canada West.  Leading the Spartans defence fourth year libero Andrea Ball (Abbotsford, B.C.) who has 58 digs on the year.  The Spartans also have a strong blocking presence in second year outside Amy Leschied (East Selkirk, B.C.) and third year middle Ismay Schon (Langley, B.C.) both averaging over one block per game.  Amy Leschied’s 1.33 blocks per game are good enough for third in Canada West.

The Spartans will look to bounce back after being swept two weekends ago by the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.  The Spartans had a week off and will look to get a fresh start against the Bobcats.  Kim Klassan had a solid performance the last time these two teams met and will look to do that again.  It will take a complete effort if the Spartans want to register their third win of the season this weekend.

AT A GLANCE
Spartans (2-2)                    Brandon (3-1)
CIS Ranking 8th                    CIS Ranking: 9th
Last Week: UBC 3-0 L                Last Week: UofS 3-1 W
             UBC 3-2 L                             UofS 3-0 W
2008 Conference: 14-4 (4th)            2008 Conference: (12-8) (6th)
2008 CW Championship: 3-2 (2nd)        2008 CW Championship: 0-2
2008 CIS Championship: 2-1 (5th)        2008 CIS Championship:  NA
Last CW Title: NA                Last CW Title: NA
Last CIS Title:    NA                Last CIS Title: NA

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