Game Recap
Women’s Volleyball
Friday, February 2, 2001
TWU Spartans (3) vs. the University of Winnipeg Wesmen (0)
(27-25, 25-23, 25-21)
Spartans Win, Spartans Win, Spartans Win.
Langley, British Columbia – The streak is over, long live the streak.
It was two years in the making, but the Trinity Western University women’s volleyball team finally owns their first CIAU victory. On Friday night, the Spartans (1-20) made history with a 3-0 (27-25, 25-23, 25-21) victory over the University of Winnipeg Wesmen (1-15).
Led by Jolene Dryfhout (3rd yr, P, Surrey, BC) –9 kills and 10 digs, and rookie of the year candidate Kristen Groot (1st yr, P, Burnaby, BC) –14 kills, the Spartans came together to defeat the Wesmen with a spectacular team effort.
“They had to be as focused in the beginning of the third set as they were the first,” said TWU Coach Carol Hofer, “and they did it.”
The Spartans started the first set strong, as they jumped out in front 8-3 at the first technical time out. Winnipeg rallied to come back and eventually tie the game at 22-22. The Spartans hung tough as the two teams battled back and forth over the final few points.They were both tied at 23-23 and after the Spartans missed their first set point, they were tied again at 25-25. Winnipeg’s Andrea Charbonneau (1st year, M, Winnipeg, MB) hit out to give the Spartans their second opportunity at set point, 26-25. Jolene Dryfhout went back to serve and made no mistake, as Winnipeg was unable to handle her serve giving the Spartans a 27-25 first set victory.
The tension rose as the match progressed. The second set was close from beginning to end, tied 6 times from the 17-17 point on. Late in the set, Winnipeg gained the lead, but the Spartans would not be denied as they came back with a 3-point run to take the set 25-23. A thunderous kill by Jennifer Baughman (1st yr, M, Smohomish, WA), who had a total of 9 kills in the match, concluded the second set.
“I think the girls knew they had to just focus on their task at hand,” said Hofer. “They had to take care of our side and that meant being mentally tough.”
TWU came out on fire to start the third set. They never let Winnipeg in the game as they jumped out top an 8-1 lead. The closest Winnipeg got was 24-20. But tonight was a night of destiny for the Spartans as Kristin Groot put the finishing touch on the night. Groot pounded the ball into the floor to finish off the match and give the Spartans a 3-0 victory that will go down in Spartan history.
Next up for the Spartans is Saturday, February 3rd vs. the University of Winnipeg Wesmen. Game time at Trinity Western is set for 6:00PM.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL SCOTT STEWART AT (604) 513-2123