Game Recap
Women’s Volleyball (CIS National Championships)
Saturday, March 3, 2007
TWU Spartans (0) vs. the University of Calgary Dinos (3)
(25-19, 25-23, 25-22)
SPARTANS LOSE TO DINOS IN BRONZE MEDAL MATCH
-Paddock and Schaufele finish out strong careers
CALGARY – Playing in their last ever match for the Trinity Western University Spartans, setter, Anna Paddock (West Simsbury, Conn.), and leftside, Jodi Schaufele (Delta, B.C.), did all they could to help the Spartans defeat the host team, University of Calgary Dinos, to win the bronze medal at the CIS National Championships. Their efforts came up short though as TWU fell to the CIS bronze medal winners from last year, 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-22), to finish fourth at their second consecutive CIS National Championship appearance.
Despite the loss, this is the best placing for the young CIS program that has only been at the tournament twice in their history. TWU Head Coach Ryan Hofer noted that overall “it was a strong, solid season. It was a season of learning and growing and not just playing volleyball but being at the highest level every weekend and knowing that every weekend other teams are gunning after you – it was a different mindset this year and we are going to look to be better next year.”
The Spartans had beaten the Dinos in conference play in the later parts of the season, but they didn’t seem to have an answer today for the Dinos’ fifth year rightside, Joanna Niemczewska, who exploded for a match high 15 kills on 29 attempts.
The Spartans got off to a slow start in the opening set by committing three consecutive attack errors to help the Dinos jump out to an 8-3 lead at the first technical timeout. TWU would never recover from their lackluster play early in the set as Calgary’s Niemczewska, and third year leftside, Julie Young, caught fire midway through the first to lead the home team to a 25-19 decision.
Schaufele got things started for the Spartans in the second with a blast down the left side and continued her strong play throughout the frame. But every time TWU threatened to go on a run, Calgary responded with a big play of their own to kill TWU’s momentum. The Spartans kept it close to the end though as Danielle Foth (Abbotsford, B.C.) tallied a kill to stave off game point, but the Dinos made no mistake in their second attempt to finish off the set as they went on to take the second game, 25-23, and go up 2-0 in the match.
TWU made it difficult for Calgary in third. Foth and Alicia Van Huizen (Surrey, B.C.) provided solid offense for the Spartans, while libero Julie Blackburn (Surrey, B.C.) kept several plays alive with sprawling digs. But the Dinos kept coming with Niemczewska and third year leftside, Lauren Perry, leading the way to a Dino victory as they defeated the Spartans 25-22 in the third set to take the match, 3-0, and win bronze for the second consecutive year.
Now the Spartans will face the difficult task of replacing two key components to their success for the past few seasons; Jodi Schaufele and Anna Paddock. On what those two players have meant to the program, Coach Hofer had this to say. “They, along with a couple of other players, have been the building blocks and foundation of this program for the past five years. Their work ethic, their drive, and their passion – I think that it’s something other girls could see coming in and [Jodi and Anna] have set a standard for future players. They each bring qualities that are irreplaceable. Their character, passion, and the way they represent the team on and off the court will be greatly missed.”
Jodi Schaufele finished with 10 kills, six digs, and two blocks in the last match of her career, while fellow senior, Anna Paddock, tallied 32 set assists. Alicia Van Huizen recorded seven kills and a match high 11 digs.
For Calagary, Niemczewska added seven digs to her 15 kills and Lauren Perry finished with 11 kills, nine digs, and two blocks.
Match Notes: The Spartan defense combined for 10 team blocks and 35 digs, while the Dinos tallied five team blocks and 41 digs...Calgary went 45-19-95 on the attack (27.4%) to TWU’s 37-19-100 offensive output (18%)...Each team committed four service errors with the Dinos holding a slight edge in services aces, four to the Spartans’ three...today’s game was broadcasted live on Spartan Web Radio...
-TW-
-Jamie Born, Sports Information Assistant-
