January 13 - TWU setter Josh Howatson (5th year, Victoria, B.C.) had five of the Spartans 11 service aces as the Trinity Western University men's volleyball team defeated the University of Manitoba 3-1 (25-16, 22-25, 25-19, 25-19) Saturday night at TWU's Langley, B.C. campus.

The win moves the #2 ranked Spartans to 8-2, while the loss drops the #4 ranked Bisons to 5-6.

Unlike last night's 3-2 loss the Spartans came out strong to start the first set. On the back of right-side Steve Rogalsky's (4th year, Maple Ridge, B.C.) four kills the Spartans jumped out to a quick 8-3 lead at the first time out. TWU extended it to 16-10 at the second break and from that point on the Spartans played side-out ball to take the set 25-16.

Toon van Lankvelt (Rivers, Man.) had four kills in the second set as the Bisons responded to the challenge from the Spartans. Manitoba trailed 8-6 at the first break, but manage to turn their game around to take a 16-14 lead at the second break. They were able to maintain their lead for the remainder of the set and tie the match up with a 25-22 win.

TWU once again took the early lead to start the third set. But this time the Spartans did not let the Bisons back into the set. With an 8-6 lead at the first break, TWU used an 8-5 run to take a 16-11 lead at the second break. Manitoba was unable to make a dent in the margin as TWU maintained the led to finish off the set up 25-19.

In the fourth set the Spartans jumped out to an 8-5 lead to start, but the Bisons responded to tie the match at 11-11. TWU was able to take a one point lead into the second time out, 16-15. Out of the break the match turned into the Clayton Peters (Abbotsford, B.C.) show. The third year middle energized the Spartans and the fans as he blocked three of the next four Bison attacks to give TWU a 20-15 lead. Manitoba would never recover as Trinity Western closed out the match with a 25-19 win.

Steve Rogalsky with 17 kills, four digs, three aces and three blocks and Seth Schalk (4th year, Red Deer, Alta.) with 10 kills and eight digs led the Spartans, while Toon van Lankvelt with 13 kills and six digs and Jeff Zylstra (Oakbank, Man.) with 10 kills led the Bisons. Clayton Peters led all players with eight blocks.

Match Notes: TWU hit at 32%, while Manitoba hit at 25%...Manitoba finished with two aces and 18 service errors...The Spartans had 12 service errors to go with their 11 aces...Tonight's match was broadcast live on TWU's Spartan Web Radio...

Complete statistics...