That’s exactly what happened Saturday night as the Spartans battled back from a two set deficit to win the match 3-2 (23-25, 27-29, 25-14, 25-14, 15-10).
With first place in the first-round playoff pool standings and the chance to host next weekend on the line, both teams showed up and put on another remarkable match between the two programs.
The Bobcats enjoyed a strong start before two massive blocks from Jake Fleming extended the lead. The Spartans fought back to trim the deficit to just one at set point, but then Derek Epp sent the ball over and just out of bounds, giving Brandon the first.
The second set saw the teams trade blows before the Spartans extended the lead to 14-8 forcing Bobcats coach to use both time outs on consecutive points. It worked as the Bobcats clawed back into the frame tying it 19-19.
The set only got more intense from there, as both teams played incredible defence, trading points until a kill from Jens Watt set up set point.
On set point the Bobcats issued a free ball that Jesse Elser tried to put away but was denied by a block by Watt and Philipp Lauter.
The Spartans found an answer in the third and fourth sets, hitting .500 and .571 as a team in the two frames. The Bobcats tried to respond with pressure from the service line in trying to get back into it but the Spartans were able to force a fifth that saw more fireworks.
Trinity held just a one point lead at the turn before managing a a 4-1 run to close the match.
Philipp Lauter continued his incredible rookie season, firing 21 kills on just 29 swings.
On top of the top two massive blocks in the second, senior setter Fleming had a match-high 40 assists.
Trinity was led by Brodie Hofer’s match-high 19 kills while Mathias Elser, Jesse Elser and Jordan Schnitzer all finished with 10 kills.
The Spartans ran the table, going 3-0 in the opening round and book the opportunity to host next weekend.
The Bobcats finish the opening round of playoff action with a 2-1 record and now get set to travel to Alberta for the next round.
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