Written By: David Koroma

WINNIPEG, MB – The #2 Trinity Western University (TWU) Spartans women's volleyball team visited the Manitoba Bisons for a quick match on Friday, Jan. 22 at Investors Group Athletic Centre. The Spartans won in three straight sets (25-11, 25-20, 25-15). With this win, TWU is now 16-1 for the season, and Manitoba is 2-13.
 
The visiting Spartans showed the home crowd why they're currently tied for first place in Canada West—playing solid, fundamental volleyball. Led by outside hitter, Elizabeth Wendel, TWU had no problems putting points on the board.
 
"They just overwhelmed us," says Bisons Head Coach Ken Bentley. "We've got to try to eliminate some of their attack so that we can defend fewer than three hitters all the time."
 
During the first set, TWU put on a clinic and coasted to an easy 25-11 win—with Wendel and Sophie Carpentier each scoring five kills.
 
The second set was much closer, as the home team stayed within three points for most of it. Yet, they were never able to pull ahead and despite some nice kills by Tori Studler, TWU came away with a 25-20 win.
 
Manitoba captured their first lead of the match early in the third set, and held it until a block by Katelyn Devaney gave TWU a 10-9 lead.  The Spartans had a reliable front line making big blocks and kills for the rest of the match. Wendel finished the set with two service aces giving TWU a 25-15 win.
 
Wendel led the game with 17 kills, followed closely by Carpentier with 16, while Bisons' rookie Laura Findlay led her team with five kills. The home team had 6 blocks for the game, while TWU had 16.
 
The two teams will play each other again tomorrow, Jan. 23, at 4:30 p.m at Investors Group Athletic Centre.
 
SCORING BY SET
MAN: 11-20-15: 0
TWU: 25-25-25: 3
 
KILL LEADERS
MAN: Laura Findlay (05), Haille Bujan (03), Tori Studler (03)
TWU: Elizabet Wendel (17), Sophie Carpentier (16), Kristin Anton (06)