David Kent, Griffins Athletics
Edmonton, AB…..The Trinity Western University (TWU) Spartans defeated the MacEwan University Griffins, 3-0, tonight at the City Centre Campus gymnasium, in Edmonton, Alberta. The Spartans, currently ranked second in the CIS Top Ten poll, improved their Canada West regular season record to 10-0, and now have won 21 straight CIS regular and post season matches dating back to last February, 2015. The Griffins record stands at 3-7 as they will travel next weekend to Pointe Grey, BC to face the UBC Thunderbirds, in the final two regular season contests before the holiday break.
The set scores were 25-17, 25-14 and 25-11 for TWU.
The defending CIS national champions came out strong tonight and quickly established themselves winning the first set by using an early nine point run to take a 9-2 lead before MacEwan University's head coach Ken Briggs called a time out to settle the team. The Griffins played a more competitive second half to the first set but would eventually lose it by a score of 25-17.
TWU continued to dominate in the second set, under the leadership of MacEwan University's Jasey Hook, a third year nursing major, from Edmonton, AB, the Griffins generated four straight points on serves that seem to rally her teammates. The Griffins would win eight of the next nine points in the middle set before, TWU's experience overwhelmed the young team and TWU would win the middle set by a score of 25-14.
In the third set, Coach Briggs gave his first year players a taste of the CIS and let several players gain valuable experience against the Spartans, who won the third set by a score of 25-11. Again the majority of offense came off serves by Hook, who was named the Griffins "player of the game." The middle hitter, recorded four kills and three digs for the Griffins. "They came out and showed us why they are the defending national champions. Our inexperience showed in the first set," said Hook.
"It was nice to see some of our younger players gain valued experience, it also gives the starters a different view of the match from the bench," said Hook on seeing the rookies play in the third set.
Statistically the Spartans played a well-balanced match for Coach Ryan Hofer. Rowyn Neufeld and Katelyn Devaney each recorded nine kills, Neufeld and Elizabeth Wendel each led TWU with 10 digs veteran Nikki Cornwall added 28 assists in their 10th win of the season.
GMU 17 14 11 = 0 (3-7)
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