David Kent, Griffins Athletics

Edmonton, AB…..The Trinity Western University Spartans (TWU) defeated the MacEwan University Griffins, 3-1, in Canada West regular season play at the City Centre Campus gymnasium, at MacEwan University.  The Spartans, nationally ranked second in the CIS Top Ten poll, improved their conference record to 9-0, while the Griffins record sits at 3-6.  The Griffins will host the Spartans tomorrow night in the second game of the weekend series.  The set scores were 25-19, 25-17, 23-25 and 25-18 for TWU. 

The Griffins played a tremendous match tonight as they battled with the defending CIS national champions all evening.  "We came into tonight's match with a game plan set up by Coach (Ken) Briggs," said third year Science major Kate Rozendaal.  "We wanted to cut down on errors from the matches last week against Alberta and we did!" 

The Spartans won the first set by six points as Rowyn Neufeld, Richmond, BC earned TWU five straight points off her serves at a point in the set when the Griffins trailed by a single point, 14-13.  The Griffins continued to battle but would lose set one.

In the second set, the lead changed hands several times, before a long rally earned the Spartans a tie at 17 each.  After a Spartan timeout TWU ran off eight straight points to win the set by eight points. 

The third set was the most entertaining as both teams battled for every point with the home crowd urging on the Griffins, Rozendaal, led the team to a 25-23 set victory over TWU. In the fourth set, the more experienced Spartans kept their composure led by veteran setter Nikki Campbell, Coquitlam, BC and won the set by seven points and the match.

Rozondaal, was named the Griffins "player of the game" the outside hitter recorded seven kills and 15 digs.  Elizabeth Wendel, Caronport, SK led TWU with 23 kills, while Cornwall posted 18 digs. 

"We look forward to the challenge of tomorrow's match with Trinity," said Rozondaal. 

Tomorrow night's women's volleyball match will start at 5PM MT, at the CCC.  The Spartans have a 3-0 overall record against MacEwan University in Canada West regular season play.  

TWU    25   25  23  25  =  3  (9-0)
GWU   19   17  25  18  =  1  (3-6)

For further information on the MacEwan University Griffins please contact David Kent, at 780-497-5324 or by email at kentd22@macewan.ca and Junelle Mah, at 780-289-3037 or by email at mahj67@macewan.ca.

Photo Credit: Nick Kuiper, Griffins Athletics