Skip to content

Historic night at Langley Events Centre

Top-ranked TWU men’s volleyball team improves to 9-1 after sweeping No. 4 Alberta at LEC

In a battle between two of the country’s top teams, it was the top-ranked Spartans earning a pair of decisive victories.

The Spartans won 3-1 (22-25,25-23,25-19,25-19) and 3-0 (25-23,25-21,25-16) over the weekend as they welcomed the fourth-ranked Alberta Golden Bears to the Langley Events Centre, improving to 9-1 on the Canada West season.

“Beating a great volleyball team that is coached by Terry (Danyluk) and Brock (Davidiuk) is really hard to do,” said Spartans coach Ben Josephson.

“I think they made some really nice adjustments in the first set — they had six blocks and anytime you have that many blocks, that’s a result of really good planning.

“But I thought we adjusted back and stole that set. When we exploded in the middle section of the second set, I think that’s when we broke the game open.”

Saturday’s victory saw Eric Loeppky set the Spartans three-set kill record as he collected 21 kills. He finished with a .594 hitting percentage.

Spartans coach Ben Josephson said setter Adam Schriemer — who finished with 35 assists and three kills — was instrumental in Loeppky’s historic night.

“Eric went on a hot streak tonight and was great, but what’s really important to recognize is the work of Adam,” Josephson said. “Our reception held up really well, but the genius of Schriemer shouldn’t be lost in this.

“When you can get your best spiker that many open looks, it says a lot about the quarterback. I thought Adam was masterful in figuring out how they were playing us and opening up the door for Eric to have the night that he did.

“It was a big night for Eric, but it was equally, if not bigger for Adam. But this is really all created by lots of people doing their job well.”

Friday’s match saw Alberta win the opening set before TWU took the next three.

Jacob Kern led the way with 14 kills while Schriemer had 40 assists and five digs and Carter Bergen had eight digs.

The Spartans play their final matches before the holiday break this weekend in Edmonton against the MacEwan Griffins.


sports@langleytimes.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

9594028_web1_171125-LAT-Sports-TWU-MV-Loeppky2
Trinity Western Spartans Eric Loeppky set a new men’s volleyball record with 21 kills in a three-set match during Saturday’s straight-sets victory over the Alberta Golden Bears. TWU Athletics
9594028_web1_171125-LAT-Sports-TWU-MV
TWU’s Adam Schriemer (left) and Pearson Eshenko team up for the block during their team’s 3-0 win over Alberta on Saturday at the Langley Events Centre. TWU Athletics