EDMONTON – Setter Anshelm Rein had 50 assists to help lead the Trinity Western Spartans to a 3-1 (25-20, 18-25, 25-20, 25-22) victory over the Alberta Golden Bears Friday evening at the Saville Centre.
Both teams move to 4-3 in Canada West early conference play, in the middle of a logjam of 3-3 teams heading into tonight. It was the two squads first meeting since the 2023 Canada West Finals.
Rein was aided in the victory by a great attacking performance from Henry Rempel, who had a game-high 18 kills. Alberta was buoyed by third-year Isaac Heslinga who finished with a team-high 17 kills and five digs.
The Spartans were hot from the opening serve in this one, capturing the first set 25-20 and out-hitting the Bears 14 to seven in the kills department. Rempel was huge in the frame, recording a set-high eight kills.
Alberta battled back in the second, riding Jacob Sargeant to a 25-18 win. He finished with six kills and three blocks in what amounted to a stellar set for the second-year outside hitter.
The Spartans would capture the momentum back permanently however, as Reins would have an impressive 26 assists over the last two frames to lead the Spartans to 25-20, and 25-22 set wins for the victory on the road.
The teams return to action tomorrow for their last regular season meeting of the season.