The Trinity Western Spartans knocked off the second-ranked Alberta Pandas in straight sets, but the Pandas bounced back to take the rematch in five sets.
The Spartans women's volleyball team won 3-0 (25-21,25-22,25-22) victory on Friday at the David E. Enarson Gymnasium, while the Pandas won 3-2 (25-17,20-25,18-25,26-24,15-10).
The split leaves both teams at 8-4 in the Canada West standings and the Spartans ranked seventh nationally and Alberta in a tie for third.
“I thought we served well tonight,” said Spartans coach Ryan Hofer after Friday's victory.
“I don’t think our serving was particularly tough but we found the right people at the right time. But it got them into a little bit of trouble and it forced them to play the ball. Then we got our block and our defence to pick it up and transitioned."
Kelci French had seven service aces, to go along with eight digs and 11 assists. Royal Richardson had 10 kills and three blocks and Alicia Perrin had six kills and five blocks on Friday.
Amy Leschied (14 kills) Richardson (12 kills) and Perrin (11 kills) led the Spartan attack on Saturday. Setter Chelsea Hudson finished with 36 set assists and seven digs and Jodi Neufeld had a game-high 21 digs.
The Spartans return to the Langley Events Centre this weekend for a pair of matches against Winnipeg.