Spartans Advance to Semifinals with 3-0 Victory over UBC Okanagan

LANGLEY, B.C. – No. 1-ranked Trinity Western completed their quarterfinal sweep of UBC Okanagan at the Langley Events Centre on Friday, winning 3-0 off a strong night from Kaylee Plouffe (Sherwood Park, Alta.). Plouffe made 11 kills on 18 attempts, all while adding four blocks as well.
 
With this victory, the Spartans are set to host Canada West’s semifinal round at the Langley Events Centre from Mar. 3-5.
 
Plouffe’s night was efficient as well, making only one error for a game-high hitting percentage of .556. For UBCO, Sydney Grills impressed, putting down a game-high of 12 kills on a hitting percentage of .241.
 
TWU’s Savannah Purdy (11 kills) and UBCO outside-hitter Jade Bussard (10 kills) joined Grills and Plouffe as the only attackers to hit the double-digit benchmark in the match.
 
The Spartans hit efficiently in the match, making a team hitting percentage of .380 to best UBCO’s .274. For the Heat, the match was characterized by service errors, making 13 to TWU’s four.
 
AS IT HAPPENED
The Spartans cruised to a 25-18 first-set victory, holding UBCO to a team hitting percentage of .161 in the frame. Bussard and Plouffe each made four kills in the frame.
 
Another 25-18 line in favour of the Spartans was held in the second set’s cards. Both teams hit the ball incredibly in the set, but TWU held an edge, putting together an uber-efficient .500. UBCO hit .433 in the set.
 
The final set of the quarterfinal bout resulted in a 25-23 victory for the Spartans, with five kills from Purdy and Plouffe leading the charge.
 
QUOTABLE
Ryan Hofer – TWU Head Coach
“Every time we set foot on the floor we have an opportunity to learn, grow, and build our character. This was a great weekend – we learned more about each other, this game, and dealing with stressful moments in each game. I’m really proud of how the team responded tonight. They played really well.
 
“This was a full team effort – everyone did an outstanding job.”
 
Steve Manuel – UBCO Head Coach
“We didn’t give ourselves a chance tonight – we made too many errors. Again, TWU is a good team, so we’re working hard and trying some different things. I can’t say enough about this team and the adversity they’ve gone through. We haven’t played with our starting lineup since the first weekend we played, which includes this weekend. Had we not been injured the whole way through, I think things would’ve gone differently this season, but kudos to our athletes and how they performed. Even with their backs against the wall tonight they showed what they were made of, especially in that third set. Hats off to my players and what they’ve done this year.”
 
NOTABLE

• The Spartans hold a 29-6 all-time edge over the Heat, winning 13 straight in the matchup.