Scheduled Game: ALBERTA-CW Playoffs

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GAME RESULTS 1 2 3 4 T Alberta 25 19 25 25 3 « FINAL Trinity Western 14 25 21 11 1

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Game Recap

Women's Volleyball (Canada West playoffs)
Saturday, February 16, 2008
TWU Spartans (1) vs. University of Alberta Pandas (3)
(14-25, 25-19, 21-25, 11-25)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PANDAS KNOCK SPARTANS OUT OF CANADA WEST PLAYOFFS

LANGLEY, British Columbia - The Trinity Western University Spartans left it all on the court tonight against the University of Alberta Pandas, but TWU saw their season come to an end as they were defeated in four sets (14-25, 25-19, 21-25, 11-25). As they had all weekend the Spartans gave another gutty team effort, but the Pandas, in what was a closely contested series, were the better team on this night, as a strong defensive effort, especially at the net, got them the victory in the match and the Canada West first round playoff series.

TWU came into the weekend tops in the conference in blocks and second in digs, but Alberta won those categories in this match by out-digging the Spartans 58-49, and out-blocking them 24-13.

"It was a good battle and a long series, and we pushed as far as we could," said TWU head coach Ryan Hofer. "I am so proud of this team as they've bonded together, especially this last week under circumstances that were out of their control, and they demonstrated a great team effort."

The Spartans only lead of the first set was early at 2-1, and then the Pandas took seven of the next eight points to lead 8-3 at the first technical. TWU pulled back to within two at 9-7 on a kill by all-Canadian Liz Spear (Cloverdale, B.C.), who was again playing out of position on the wing tonight because of injuries to teammates. Alberta would then slowly take control of the set using their blocking and digging to slow the Spartan attack and transitioning into a consistent offense, as they outscored TWU 15-7 the rest of the way to take the first set. U of A had seven blocks and 16 digs in the frame.

TWU took the lead on the first point of the second, and wouldn't give it back the rest of the set, but it certainly wouldn't come without a fight. The Spartans led 9-5 on a Kara Jansen Van Doorn (Langley, B.C.) service ace, but the Pandas rallied to tie the set at 12-12 on a Jocelyn Blair (St. Alberta, Alta.) kill. Then the Spartans D stepped up, forcing a Panda attack error, then after another Jansen Van Doorn kill, her sister Dayna (Langley, B.C.) and Alicia Van Huizen (Surrey, B.C.) combined for back-to-back blocks to give the Spartans a 16-12 lead at the second technical. That cushion would be enough as TWU spread out their attack and maintained their strong D, evening the match at one game apiece.

It was close early in the third set with six ties and seven lead changes. The set would be tied for the seventh and final time at 9-9 when a Spartan service error gave the Pandas the lead at 10-9. TWU would pull within one point three more times, including a solo block by middle Julie Koepke (Richmond, B.C.) that put the Spartans one back at 18-17. But Alberta would score four of the next five points to lead 23-18 on an Alexa Berton (Saskatoon) kill, and while a TWU timeout slowed the U of A momentum for a few points, the Pandas still went on to win the pivotal third set by four points as a Berton and Daryll Roper (Edmonton) double block ended the set.

The teams split the first two points of the fourth when Blair notched another kill in the first point of a 6-2 Panda run to give them an 8-3 lead at the first technical. TWU would gain a point on a Panda service error to trail 8-4, but they wouldn't get another until it was 12-5 Alberta. A TWU service error gave it right back to the Pandas, who would run off six straight points, including three kills from Tiffany Proudfoot (Calgary) to lead 18-5. The Spartans would get a few points back, but it wasn't enough as Alberta would take the set, the match, and the first-round playoff series.

It was the last match in a Spartan uniform for fifth year's Spear, Van Huizen, and injured players Saralyn Stel (Delia, Alta.) and Julie McLeod (Surrey, B.C.).

"Saralyn, Liz, Alicia and Julie are four players of a quality of character that is truly special," Hofer said of his four seniors. "They are talented volleyball players that have poured themselves into this program, and have set the culture and tone of women's volleyball here at Trinity Western. I'm so proud of each one of them."

Van Huizen led TWU in kills for the third straight night with 13, and added nine digs and five blocks, while Spear finished with eight kills and seven digs. The Jansen Van Doorn sisters had another big night as Kara had 12 kills, three digs and a service ace while older sister Dayna finished with seven kills, five blocks, and three digs.

For Alberta Proudfoot had a match-high 16 kills with 10 digs and three blocks, while Blair notched 12 kills, 10 digs, two service aces, and Berton finished with eight kills, 11 blocks, five assists and three digs.

With the win Alberta advances to the Canada West Final Four next Friday and Saturday, which will be hosted by the top-ranked Manitoba Bisons.

Match Notes- Stel finishes as the Spartans all-time leader in kills (1040), points (1221), and attack attempts (3250)...Spear leaves as TWU's all-time leader in kills-per-game at 2.69 and points-per-game 3.45...McLeod, the 2006 CIS Libero of the Year, is the Spartans career leader in digs (1574) and digs-per-game (4.10), and has the school's top three single-season totals for digs, and the top four seasons in digs-per-game...Van Huizen finishes second in matches played (125), fifth all-time in kills (636), fourth in attack attempts (1895), and third in service aces (86)...the match was broadcast live at gospartans.ca.

-TW-

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