VB: TWU hitters assertive in decisive victories

CALGARY – Trinity Western’s Savannah Purdy and Jesse Elser were named the Canada West Volleyball Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday.

Purdy dominated the Thompson Rivers WolfPack this past weekend, making quick and efficient work of a team battling for playoff position. The fourth-year outside slammed down 12 kills Friday evening in a three-set match, showing her eagerness to get on to the postseason.

The Victoria, BC product showed off her serve as one of the best in the conference, putting three past the TRU defence. She also put in work on defence, popping up six digs in the relative quick contest.

Purdy bested Friday’s efficiency with a swing rate of .458 Saturday evening. She powered down 11 kills and four aces as her Spartans again made quick work of the WolfPack.

The outside hitter is picking up steam at the right moment, with just one weekend of regular season play to go. The sweep secures the Spartan’s spot atop the CW standings, giving them the top seed heading into playoffs on Feb. 17.

But before they get there, they have a road trip to Brandon to take on the Bobcats Friday and Saturday. Those games are slated for 6 p.m. and 5 p.m. CST respectively. You can catch the action exclusively on Canada West TV.

Game log:
Feb. 10: 12K (.333), 3 SA, 6 digs, 15 points in 3-0 vs TRU
Feb. 11: 11K (.458), 4 SA, 4 digs, 15.5 points in 3-0 W vs TRU

Meanwhile, Jesse Elser was unstoppable on home court over the weekend. His swing proved lethal against the Thompson Rivers WolfPack, as he converted on .433 of his kill attempts Friday evening. In the four-set Spartan win, he slammed down 15.

He was also dangerous behind the service line, sailing in seven aces. That’s good for third most in the Canada West record book in a four-set match. His tremendous offence didn’t stop him from contributing defensively with six digs and two block assists.

Elser was even more impressive Saturday, throwing down 12 kills in three sets at an outstanding rate of .524. He continued to outplay TRU from outside the court, notching five service aces for 12 on the weekend. He pitched in another three block assists and five digs in the 3-0 sweep.

The Calgary, AB product ranks in the top 10 in the conference in both hitting percentage (fourth with .368) and service aces per set (seventh with .40).

He and the Spartans are now set to travel to Brandon to take on the Bobcats Friday and Saturday at 7:45 p.m. and 6:45 pm CST respectively. Saturday’s game is the featured Game of the Week on TELUS Optik TV, channel 1997. You can catch both games on Canada West TV.

Game log:
Feb. 10: 15K (.433), 7 SA, 2 BA, 6 digs, 23 points in 3-1 W vs TRU
Feb. 11: 12K (.524), 5 SA, 3 BA, 5 digs, 18.5 points in 3-0 W vs TRU