Calgary — The Mount Royal University Cougars men's volleyball had their seven-game win streak snapped at the hands of the No. 2 ranked Trinity Western University Spartans.
The series was back-and-forth throughout as the Spartans win in five sets (18-25, 25-13, 22-25, 25-23, and 15-5)
The Cougars continued their hot play against the Spartans by winning the first set by a score of 25-18. Tyler Schmidt was a force on both ends, picking up five kills and six digs. Schmidt overpowered the Spartans' Schreimer at the net to give the Cougars a 24-18 lead and made sure his teammates took notice as he flexed and tapped his bicep walking back to the team huddle. Lachie Pollock had three kills for Mount Royal as he was placed in the starting lineup after a successful afternoon yesterday.
Trinity Western weren't going to let the Cougars take four straight sets from them and really dominated in the second. After starting out with a 7-4 lead, the closest the Cougars would get was a five-point deficit. The Spartans won 25-12 behind strong performances from Daniel Grant and Ryan Sclater.
The Spartans would lead only at the beginning of the third set, and after a timeout by the Cougars and coach Shawn Shy, they would not relinquish the lead. Things would stay close down to the wire, but after Scott Plocktis sent his serve into the net to give put the Cougars one point away from a set win, Mike Wickstrom was able to end it at 25-22 with a booming kill.
The match's fourth set was neck-and-neck throughout but the Spartans were able to prevail and force a fifth and decisive set. Wickstrom led Mount Royal with four kills while Sclater had five for TWU. Del Bianco's kill gave the Spartans a 25-23 win.
The Spartans showed why they are nationally ranked by stomping the Cougars in the last set, winning 15-5 and not letting the Cougars get close at all. Sclater's strong play continued and he was the driving force in the win.
Sclater finished with 24 kills and Del Bianco had 14. Pollock led the Cougars with 14, while Parkin had 12 and Wickstrom had eight.
The Cougars sit tied for second in the Canada West with their record at 8-4, while the Spartans are just two points behind at 7-3. The Cougars have next weekend off before travelling to Winnipeg the following weekend.