CALGARY – The defending Canada West champion Trinity Western Spartans dropped their first preseason game of the year, falling to the Alberta Pandas 3-2 (25-11, 26-24, 28-30, 26-28, 15-7) on Saturday afternoon at the Dino Cup.
After losing the first two sets, the Spartans struck back to win back-to-back sets to force a fifth set, before falling 15-7.
Fourth-year outside hitter Hillary Howe (Calgary) led the Spartans with 18 kills to go along with her two aces. First-year middle Jayda Harder (Waldheim, Sask.) had a game leading 14 blocks, while Dora Komlodi (Calgary) led the Spartans setting duties with 31 assists.
The Pandas attack was led by Kory White, who recorded 29 kills, while Elyse Hart had 58 assists for Alberta.
Jayda Harder (Waldheim, Sask.) solidified the Spartan defence with 14 blocks, while Sydney Warchola had eight for the Pandas.
QUOTABLE
TWU Head Coach Ryan Hofer
“There were moments this evening when we thought it was going to be a short night, but then our team were able to find some good rhythm at the end of the second set and bring that into the third set.
“Overall it was a really good battle this evening between two good teams. It was a good way to get a feel for our season-opener back here a few weeks from now”
NOTABLE
• TWU won their last meeting against on March 1, 2019, winning 3-1.
• TWU finished the night hitting .115 (56-35-182) while Alberta hit .230 (69-28-178).
• The Pandas had an 8-7 advantage in aces, while the Spartans had a 20-12 edge in total blocks.
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UP NEXT
The Spartans will now prepare for the West Coast Classic, which they host at home next weekend.
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 11 sports in the Canada West conference, including women’s and men’s soccer, volleyball, basketball, cross country and track & field, as well as women’s rugby sevens. TWU also competes in the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) in men’s hockey and as an independent team in men’s rugby. The men’s and women’s hockey programs will begin playing in Canada West and U SPORTS in 2020-21. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 12 U SPORTS team championships and 27 Canada West team championships and two BCIHL championships.
[SOURCE: Trinity Western University]