Back-to-back three-set victories improved the second-ranked Trinity Western Spartans men’s volleyball team to 9-1 in Canada West conference play.
The Spartans were hosting the Regina Cougars on Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 at the Langley Events Centre.
“It was a smooth night for us,” said Spartans coach Ben Josephson.
“Any time you win 3-0 you have to be happy. It’s hard to beat teams 3-0, so to get two of those to finish our home schedule this weekend is good.”
Outside hitters Nick Del Bianco led the team on Saturday with 16 kills while Ryan Sclater added seven kills, seven digs and four blocks.
They won by scores of 25-21, 25-9 and 25-20 and dominated in every category against the 0-10 Cougars. Trinity Western had a .333 attacking percentage (37 kills and 11 errors on 78 attempts) compared to -.014 for the Cougars (19 kills and 20 errors on 74 attempts).
In Friday’s match, the Spartans won 25-12, 25-15 and 25-20 with a .421 hitting percentage and 13.5 blocks. They also had a 7-1 advantage in service aces.
“We had a good start but a poor finish,” Josephson said.
“Our opponents kept figuring out the things we were doing well and I thought we lost some focus in the third set. Our set quality, reception quality and dig quality all faded in that third set and I think that’s why that game was closer.
“Part of it was that (Regina) got better, but it’s a combo of them putting up more pressure and us not getting better.”
Del Bianco (11 kills, five blocks) and Lucas Van Berkel (eight kills, six blocks) and Branden Schmidt had a match-high eight blocks to go with three aces and three kills. Setter Adam Schriemer had 22 assists to go along with seven digs.
The Spartans close out the first half of the regular season with a pair of road games in Winnipeg against the Manitoba Bisons (5-5).
