March 10th, 2011 - Langley, BC
After taking on the Spartans' biggest rivals in the quarter-final and semi-final and going the distance in both the question on everyone's minds was "do the Spartans have enough left for one more match?" The physical and emotional toll on the team was extensive but for 365 days the Spartans had been preparing for another shot at the Title. Emotion would not be an issue. To help the Spartans along the way was a sellout of the Langley Events Centre. Everywhere you looked there were Spartan Faithful yellow t's, painted bodies, noise makers holding noise makers and all the rest of those who came to see this team of destiny, the Spartans.
The pre-game speech was simple: "take a look around you...(pause as the athletes looked around the team room looking each other in the eye)...enough said...1-2-Spartans!!!" Simple statements often say more than enough. In that moment those who were about to take the court in the Championship final needed to look no further for all the motivation they would need than the guy on their left and right. This team had been building all year with the "band of brothers" mentality. The question was not "what would you do for your brother" rather "what wouldn't you do?" With their tanks full and joy in their hearts the Spartans ran into the LEC to an eruption of noise that no one has heard in that building...yet.
Very early it was clear the Spartans had saved their best for the final as they rolled through the first set blocking their way to a 25-12 set win. The game plan was also simple: serve tough and block Paul Sanderson. The 2009-2010 CIS Player of the Year is maybe the country's most dangerous hitter and for the Spartans to be successful they would have to limit his impact for the Brandon Bobcats. Set 1 = mission successful as the Spartans held the Bobcats to a staggering -30% attack efficiency or in normal terms 5 kills & 15 attack errors and even simpler terms, not good. Set 1 was won by the Spartans and Spartan Faithful on sheer emotion. As the match continued the Spartans fervor slowly came back to a "normal" level as the Bobcats began to make adjustments and adapt to the ruckus environment. The Spartans held on for a 25-22 lead and won their first set of the tournament on the "away" side of the gym.
Set 3 saw the Bobcats continue to find their rhythm and the Spartans showed signs of the weariness that anyone could expect after playing 10 sets the previous 2 nights of all out inspired volleyball. The game was tight through the early and middle sections with the Spartans behind by just 2 points (14-16). The Bobcats made a surge in the final third of the game and took a 23-20 lead and were looking to extend the night and delay the celebration. At that point the Spartans rallied in one last ditch effort to get back into the game and did they ever:
20-23: Brandon hits out of bounds
21-23: Ball & Jansen Van Doorn Roof Block
22-23: Lucas Van Berkel serves the Ace
23-23: Brandon Kill by Paul Sanderson
23-24: Rudy kills the ball to tie the game
24-24: Rudy is blocked to give Brandon the advantage
24-25: Brandon misses their serve, the Faithful strike again
25-25: Rudy serves and Brandon is called for a setting violation, the LEC goes nuts...match point Spartans
25-26: With the whole gym standing, arms raised and the familiar single finger held high signifying "One More Point," Rudy serves, Brandon sets Sanderson on a pipe, the Spartans are ready with a 3 man block...BLOCKED!!! GAME OVER!!! SPARTANS WIN, SPARTANS WIN, SPARTANS WIN!!!
Nearly 500 Spartan Faithful rush the team as the student section emptied onto the court in the most beautiful scene of blue, yellow, white, paint, sticks, pots, pans and bodies strewn about the playing floor. When the scene couldn't be more perfect two athletes rise above the crowd. Rudy Verhoeff and Ben Ball are picked up by some Faithful and amongst the sea of Yellow and Blue two White clad figures are held high with arms raised overlooking the celebration. It was a visual that none of us in attendance will ever forget. The joy, relief and elation in the moment was one of those things you wish you could bottle and send around the world. After much jumping, cheering, hugging and crying the floor was cleared for the medal presentations.
Almost no one left as the crowd waited patiently for the Spartans to receive what they earned...medals, banner & Tantramar Trophy all signifying they are National Champions. The crowd cheered as each team member received their medals and the joy on the faces of the Spartans lit up the LEC. Then the moment came, the "Captains" were called up to receive the trophy and banner. As is the custom with the Spartan Men's Volleyball team there are really no captains. There is a floor captain, as needed by volleyball regulations, and there are leaders. This year there were 15 of them, each called to add their own flavor of leadership to the group in an attempt to reduce the burden the team had to bear. So the two fifth year graduating seniors, Josh Doornenbal and Mikiah Schalk, joined the floor captain Rudy Verhoeff in accepting the symbols of the Championship. The team rushed to join in the hoisting of the Tantramar for the program's second time (2006, also 3-0). Then the photo op that every team in September dreams of. With the Tantramar sitting front and centre, the Championship banner draped on the floor extending from a most jubilant group of young men all with "one finger raised." For the first time that weekend the "one" didn't signal the need for one more point, it was in recognition that after heart break a year ago, a full year of training, lifting, sweating, failing and succeeding they had earned the right to be #1...CIS National Champions.
The question was posed more than a few times in the post game, "how were the guys able to play with so much passion and precision after such a tough first two days of the tournament?" The week leading up to the tournament the team used the example of Eric Liddell, gold medalist and subject of the movie Chariots of Fire. There is a youtube clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwyltmUR3MU&feature=related) where Liddell states that God has created him for a purpose, but he also created him fast, when he runs he feels God's pleasure. That same message was given to the guys. They two were created by God for a purpose, but they were also created with amazing gifts and talents that lend themselves to volleyball. The team attempted to enjoy their gifts and talents with the intent of feeling God's pleasure when they played. So how did they play three exceptional matches in three days, emptying their tanks each and every one? The felt God's pleasure and the Joy it provided gave more than enough emotion and resilience to compete.
The post game speech wasn't so simple. The Championship weekend saw the team come full circle as they revisited many of the Spiritual principles that were laid down in Russia. The concepts of Freedom, Point Match and feeling God' pleasure in doing whatever they do were rooted deep within the psyche of each one. These lessons were learned through competing in a volleyball tournament but the challenge was laid out to the team that they now must take these lessons with them as they move beyond volleyball. As they move into careers, become husbands and fathers these lessons learned will help make improvements to all the phases of their lives. This Championship's legacy will not just hang on the wall of the David E. Enarson Gymnasium but it will serve as a constant reminder to these 15 young men that God will Honor those who Honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30).
Go Spartans!!!
2012 CIS National Champs
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
CIS National Championship 2011 Review: Semi Final vs Calgary Dinos
March 9th, 2011 - Langley, BC
After defeating arguably the best team in the country in the quarter-final of the National Tournament the Spartans' road did not get any easier with their semi-final opponent, the University of Calgary Dinos. While the rivalry with the Dinos is not as deep programatically as with the Alberta Bears, the rivalry between the current teams was significantly deeper. These team's rivalry started the last weekend of November in 2009 when the Dinos were the #1 ranked team in the country and the Spartans traveled to Calgary with designs on knocking them off that perch. The first night went the home team's way with the Dinos winning a 3-1 decision. The Spartans were very determined to earn a split and the team leaders "asked" the coaching staff to leave the gym during the Saturday practice and led the training session themselves. That evening the Spartans came out firing on all cylinders earning a similar 3-1 win in a very chippy match. The rivalry between the current rosters had begun to take shape.
Stage two of the rivalry saw the two teams meet in the Canada West semi-final in Edmonton. The game was a see-saw affair with the Spartans ultimately winning in 5 grueling sets and earning a birth in the Canada West final and relegating the Dinos to a much tougher draw at the National Tournament. The final meeting of the 2009-10 season was in the National Final where the Dinos exacted some revenge on the Spartans by breaking their hearts in yet another 4 set match. The feelings from that match would sit and resonate with the Spartans all summer long and provide the motivation for their training all season.
The 2010-2011 season saw chapter three in the story unfold as the Dinos, as defending CIS National Champions, ran out to a 10-0 start in conference play. The eventual rematch from the previous year's final came in the Spartan Holiday Classic in early 2011 at the Langley Events Centre. The Spartans won the match convincingly 3-0 and prematurely satisfied their need for redemption. The problem was these two teams would play in conference play just two weeks later. After the Spartans took the first set of the weekend 25-15 in dominant fashion the Dinos reeled off 6 consecutive sets to earn the sweep in Spartan-land. The losses rattled the Spartans as the same team that broke their hearts the previous March had cut them deeply again. The next meeting between these two powers was the 2011 Canada West semi-final and in a mirror image of the previous year the Dinos dropped the first set, took sets 2 & 3, lost 4 and won the 5th and advanced to the Canada West final which they won over the Brandon Bobcats.
The loss returned the favor from the previous year and gave the Spartans the tough draw at the National Tournament setting up the final meeting of the year in the National semi-final. While the Alberta Bears were an opponent that allowed the Spartans to play in their strength areas of physicality and net play, the Dinos were much different. Calgary forced the Spartans to pass and defend as they served primarily float serves and didn't allow the Spartan block to take over the matches. The battle of contrasting styles had gone the Dinos way more than not and the 2011 semi would be a battle of each team trying to impose their style on the match to swing the advantage in their favor.
The first game had the Spartans put up 10 blocks in the set and it was clear that TWU had control of the personality of the match. The Dinos responded by reducing their errors and forced the Spartans to play longer rallies which favored the Alberta based school. Neither of the first two sets were close with scores of 25-18 & 25-17. The third set, as is usually the case, was the most hotly contested of the evening as the host Spartans hung on to win 25-23. The 4th saw the Dinos respond in the same manner as the 2nd set. Their tough serving and ball control whittled the Spartans down to manageable size taking the set 25-20 but if it weren't for a late charge by the Spartans it would have been even more lop-sided.
Riding the momentum generated by the surge late in the 4th set and harnessing the energy of the nearly capacity Spartan Faithful the Spartans jumped out to a 5-1 lead and an 8-4 switch for the second consecutive night. Just when the Dinos began to make a late move to get back into the match Mikiah Schalk was inserted into the match as a serving sub. For those who have not had the pleasure of seeing Mikiah's serve it is the volleyball equivalent of turning your guitar amp up to 11, its one more than 10. Schalk unleashed three consecutive "Mik-Bombs" that resulted in two Spartan points and a swing for the match which the Dinos blocked prolonging the inevitable. What was beginning to look like a photo-finish turned into a 14-8 lead for the Spartans when Mikiah was done serving. On match point Lucas Van Berkel crushed a middle attack for the match and the Faithful rushed the court as the Spartans earned their second consecutive appearance in the National Final.
Prior to the match the Spartans shared Communion in the team-room as was this year's custom before home games. The team's Spiritual mentor Dave Johns shared some words with the team regarding the ritual of Communion and reiterated that we partake to remember the sacrifice that Christ made for all man-kind. His sacrifice freed man from the bonds of sin and opened the door for a personal relationship with Christ Himself. The sport application of this message was that the we should play with that same sense of freedom. Sport is a gift from God to be enjoyed, why burden ourselves with things that are so insignificant compared to the great sacrifice that Christ made. With this renewed perspective on the match the Spartans took the court and played with utter freedom the whole night. Not allowing tough spells to concern their performance and allowing them to make big play after big play leading to victory. The blending of Spirituality and Sport is why Trinity Western Spartans Athletics is the most unique of experiences and why many of the current players chose to play for TWU. This night was a triumph on the court but the lesson learned by the Spartans will echo in their lives for years to come.
I to believe it was William Wallace who said it best...FREEDOM!!!!
Go Spartans!!!
After defeating arguably the best team in the country in the quarter-final of the National Tournament the Spartans' road did not get any easier with their semi-final opponent, the University of Calgary Dinos. While the rivalry with the Dinos is not as deep programatically as with the Alberta Bears, the rivalry between the current teams was significantly deeper. These team's rivalry started the last weekend of November in 2009 when the Dinos were the #1 ranked team in the country and the Spartans traveled to Calgary with designs on knocking them off that perch. The first night went the home team's way with the Dinos winning a 3-1 decision. The Spartans were very determined to earn a split and the team leaders "asked" the coaching staff to leave the gym during the Saturday practice and led the training session themselves. That evening the Spartans came out firing on all cylinders earning a similar 3-1 win in a very chippy match. The rivalry between the current rosters had begun to take shape.
Stage two of the rivalry saw the two teams meet in the Canada West semi-final in Edmonton. The game was a see-saw affair with the Spartans ultimately winning in 5 grueling sets and earning a birth in the Canada West final and relegating the Dinos to a much tougher draw at the National Tournament. The final meeting of the 2009-10 season was in the National Final where the Dinos exacted some revenge on the Spartans by breaking their hearts in yet another 4 set match. The feelings from that match would sit and resonate with the Spartans all summer long and provide the motivation for their training all season.
The 2010-2011 season saw chapter three in the story unfold as the Dinos, as defending CIS National Champions, ran out to a 10-0 start in conference play. The eventual rematch from the previous year's final came in the Spartan Holiday Classic in early 2011 at the Langley Events Centre. The Spartans won the match convincingly 3-0 and prematurely satisfied their need for redemption. The problem was these two teams would play in conference play just two weeks later. After the Spartans took the first set of the weekend 25-15 in dominant fashion the Dinos reeled off 6 consecutive sets to earn the sweep in Spartan-land. The losses rattled the Spartans as the same team that broke their hearts the previous March had cut them deeply again. The next meeting between these two powers was the 2011 Canada West semi-final and in a mirror image of the previous year the Dinos dropped the first set, took sets 2 & 3, lost 4 and won the 5th and advanced to the Canada West final which they won over the Brandon Bobcats.
The loss returned the favor from the previous year and gave the Spartans the tough draw at the National Tournament setting up the final meeting of the year in the National semi-final. While the Alberta Bears were an opponent that allowed the Spartans to play in their strength areas of physicality and net play, the Dinos were much different. Calgary forced the Spartans to pass and defend as they served primarily float serves and didn't allow the Spartan block to take over the matches. The battle of contrasting styles had gone the Dinos way more than not and the 2011 semi would be a battle of each team trying to impose their style on the match to swing the advantage in their favor.
The first game had the Spartans put up 10 blocks in the set and it was clear that TWU had control of the personality of the match. The Dinos responded by reducing their errors and forced the Spartans to play longer rallies which favored the Alberta based school. Neither of the first two sets were close with scores of 25-18 & 25-17. The third set, as is usually the case, was the most hotly contested of the evening as the host Spartans hung on to win 25-23. The 4th saw the Dinos respond in the same manner as the 2nd set. Their tough serving and ball control whittled the Spartans down to manageable size taking the set 25-20 but if it weren't for a late charge by the Spartans it would have been even more lop-sided.
Riding the momentum generated by the surge late in the 4th set and harnessing the energy of the nearly capacity Spartan Faithful the Spartans jumped out to a 5-1 lead and an 8-4 switch for the second consecutive night. Just when the Dinos began to make a late move to get back into the match Mikiah Schalk was inserted into the match as a serving sub. For those who have not had the pleasure of seeing Mikiah's serve it is the volleyball equivalent of turning your guitar amp up to 11, its one more than 10. Schalk unleashed three consecutive "Mik-Bombs" that resulted in two Spartan points and a swing for the match which the Dinos blocked prolonging the inevitable. What was beginning to look like a photo-finish turned into a 14-8 lead for the Spartans when Mikiah was done serving. On match point Lucas Van Berkel crushed a middle attack for the match and the Faithful rushed the court as the Spartans earned their second consecutive appearance in the National Final.
Prior to the match the Spartans shared Communion in the team-room as was this year's custom before home games. The team's Spiritual mentor Dave Johns shared some words with the team regarding the ritual of Communion and reiterated that we partake to remember the sacrifice that Christ made for all man-kind. His sacrifice freed man from the bonds of sin and opened the door for a personal relationship with Christ Himself. The sport application of this message was that the we should play with that same sense of freedom. Sport is a gift from God to be enjoyed, why burden ourselves with things that are so insignificant compared to the great sacrifice that Christ made. With this renewed perspective on the match the Spartans took the court and played with utter freedom the whole night. Not allowing tough spells to concern their performance and allowing them to make big play after big play leading to victory. The blending of Spirituality and Sport is why Trinity Western Spartans Athletics is the most unique of experiences and why many of the current players chose to play for TWU. This night was a triumph on the court but the lesson learned by the Spartans will echo in their lives for years to come.
I to believe it was William Wallace who said it best...FREEDOM!!!!
Go Spartans!!!
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
CIS National Championship Review: March 4th vs Alberta Bears
March 8t, 2011 - Langley, BC
It has been two days since the Spartans won the 2011 CIS National Championship and the reality of such a feat is still sinking in. For those who had the chance to participate in the weekend, live or online, the excitement in the Langley Events Centre is hard to describe. But here is a most humble attempt.
Heading into the weekend the Spartans knew they would have to play arguably the toughest schedule in National Tournament history. No team in memory has had to go through three Canada West opponents en route to winning a National Title but that is exactly what the Spartans were going to have to do. If it wasn't three Canada West teams it would be the top three ranked team in the country. Hard to determine which would be tougher at the tournament's outset.
The Spartans' first opponent was the mighty Alberta Bears who had medaled in 9 consecutive national tournaments. The Spartans had medaled in their previous 5 appearances (1 gold, 2 silver & 2 bronze). One of these two great programs were going to have their streak snapped in the quarter final stage of the tournament. The message all week to the Spartans was that they would find out on the tournament's opening day if they were good enough to win it all. Should the Spartans be able to get past the Bears then they would have proven to themselves and the rest of the field that they were on a mission. That is exactly what they did and in dramatic fashion.
The focal point for that first match for the Spartans was the concept of "Point Match." This concept encouraged the Spartans to play every point like it was its own match and win or lose move on to the next "point match." Like any game, win or lose, any team has to take the information available and move on, there is no looking back. This same focus was needed in order to overcome such a daunting opponent as the Bears from the University of Alberta. As the match unfolded this "point match" took on a life of its own. With the Spartans ahead 24-23 in the first set the bench players of the Spartans held up one figure signifying one more point match. The TWU squad was able to score that point and take the first set 25-23. The second set saw the Bears respond as all great teams do taking the set 25-23. The third was all Spartans as they ran out to a big lead and closed out with a 24-17 lead. The one figure was held high by the bench of the Spartans but the trend was starting to make its way around the gym as the Spartan Faithful in abundance began to join the team in holding one finger high as the Spartans won the set 25-17. Taking a 2 sets to 1 lead into the 4th set the Spartans were looking to close out the Bears but the tough Alberta squad would no go quietly as they rallied for a 25-21 win leveling out the match and forcing a 5th and deciding set. The match had been a see-saw affair with both teams making big play after big play. The fifth set was going to require the Spartans best set of volleyball to finish the match. To aid the Spartans was their not so secret or quiet weapon, the Spartan Faithful. The LEC was at almost capacity and the almost entirely Spartan friendly crowd was in a fury by the time the fifth set rolled around. Songs, chants and most certainly the Spartan Song were bouncing off the walls willing the Spartans on to victory. Harnessing the energy the Faithful provided the Spartans jumped out to an early 5-1 lead and looked to be in control at the switch leading 8-4. The Spartans did not falter as they took a 14-11 lead and the whole LEC on que raised 1 finger in the air. It was an amazing sight to see 1900 screaming Spartan Faithful with hands raised and a solo digit in the air. The Spartans obliged with a kill from All-Canadian Rudy Verhoeff to win the match 15-11 and secured a return to the semi-final.
The match was thought to be the match of the tournament heading into the game and it did not disappoint. The volleyball on display was epic as both teams recorded 18+ blocks and traded big blows like a legendary prize fight. The match had the feel of a championship match yet there were no medals awarded, only the right to move forward in the quest for the 2011 National Championship. The Spartans next opponent would prove just as tough as the reigning Champions Calgary Dinos waited for the Spartans in the semi.
Go Spartans!!!
It has been two days since the Spartans won the 2011 CIS National Championship and the reality of such a feat is still sinking in. For those who had the chance to participate in the weekend, live or online, the excitement in the Langley Events Centre is hard to describe. But here is a most humble attempt.
Heading into the weekend the Spartans knew they would have to play arguably the toughest schedule in National Tournament history. No team in memory has had to go through three Canada West opponents en route to winning a National Title but that is exactly what the Spartans were going to have to do. If it wasn't three Canada West teams it would be the top three ranked team in the country. Hard to determine which would be tougher at the tournament's outset.
The Spartans' first opponent was the mighty Alberta Bears who had medaled in 9 consecutive national tournaments. The Spartans had medaled in their previous 5 appearances (1 gold, 2 silver & 2 bronze). One of these two great programs were going to have their streak snapped in the quarter final stage of the tournament. The message all week to the Spartans was that they would find out on the tournament's opening day if they were good enough to win it all. Should the Spartans be able to get past the Bears then they would have proven to themselves and the rest of the field that they were on a mission. That is exactly what they did and in dramatic fashion.
The focal point for that first match for the Spartans was the concept of "Point Match." This concept encouraged the Spartans to play every point like it was its own match and win or lose move on to the next "point match." Like any game, win or lose, any team has to take the information available and move on, there is no looking back. This same focus was needed in order to overcome such a daunting opponent as the Bears from the University of Alberta. As the match unfolded this "point match" took on a life of its own. With the Spartans ahead 24-23 in the first set the bench players of the Spartans held up one figure signifying one more point match. The TWU squad was able to score that point and take the first set 25-23. The second set saw the Bears respond as all great teams do taking the set 25-23. The third was all Spartans as they ran out to a big lead and closed out with a 24-17 lead. The one figure was held high by the bench of the Spartans but the trend was starting to make its way around the gym as the Spartan Faithful in abundance began to join the team in holding one finger high as the Spartans won the set 25-17. Taking a 2 sets to 1 lead into the 4th set the Spartans were looking to close out the Bears but the tough Alberta squad would no go quietly as they rallied for a 25-21 win leveling out the match and forcing a 5th and deciding set. The match had been a see-saw affair with both teams making big play after big play. The fifth set was going to require the Spartans best set of volleyball to finish the match. To aid the Spartans was their not so secret or quiet weapon, the Spartan Faithful. The LEC was at almost capacity and the almost entirely Spartan friendly crowd was in a fury by the time the fifth set rolled around. Songs, chants and most certainly the Spartan Song were bouncing off the walls willing the Spartans on to victory. Harnessing the energy the Faithful provided the Spartans jumped out to an early 5-1 lead and looked to be in control at the switch leading 8-4. The Spartans did not falter as they took a 14-11 lead and the whole LEC on que raised 1 finger in the air. It was an amazing sight to see 1900 screaming Spartan Faithful with hands raised and a solo digit in the air. The Spartans obliged with a kill from All-Canadian Rudy Verhoeff to win the match 15-11 and secured a return to the semi-final.
The match was thought to be the match of the tournament heading into the game and it did not disappoint. The volleyball on display was epic as both teams recorded 18+ blocks and traded big blows like a legendary prize fight. The match had the feel of a championship match yet there were no medals awarded, only the right to move forward in the quest for the 2011 National Championship. The Spartans next opponent would prove just as tough as the reigning Champions Calgary Dinos waited for the Spartans in the semi.
Go Spartans!!!
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
CIS National Championship Preview 2011
March 1st, 2011 - Langley, BC
This weekend marks the final weekend of the 2010-2011 CIS Volleyball season for the Spartans as they get set to host the CIS National Championship Tournament. If you didn't already know that then you: 1) are not a volleyball fan, 2) are not a Spartan fan or 3) don't know how you got to this blog.
Much has been made of the first round match up the Spartans have in the University of Alberta Bears. The #2 ranked team in the CIS had a tough weekend last weekend at the Canada West Final 4 losing to Brandon in the semi final and the Spartans in the Bronze medal match. Their reward for such a weekend was a fall to the #5 seed in the national tournament. Never mind the Bears won the Canada West regular season going 17-1 in the process playing 6 matches without two key starters. Never mind the fact they were "robbed" in the semi final against Brandon with a huge missed touch call on match point thus prolonging the match that would see the Bobcats win the 5th set. All of those points were overlooked and the Bears were rewarded for their season success with a date with the Spartans in the hostile Langley Events Centre on opening day of the tournament.
The Spartans on the other hand are glad to have the match up as it will provide an early tournament answer to the question every team is anxious to know: are we good enough to win this year? Often times it takes 2 or 3 matches to have that question answered at the National tournament. For the Spartans that question will be answered sometime between 8:00 and 8:30pm Friday, March 4th at the LEC. Win and the Spartans will have proven to themselves that they have enough in the tank to potentially win the tournament. Lose and it is not meant to be this season.
To get a better handle on what type of epic match we are in store for this weekend it is worth while to look at the history between these two programs in recent years. Alberta and TWU are the two most successful volleyball programs in the last 7 years. Alberta has 7 CIS medals to their credit (3 Gold, 3 Silver & 1 Bronze) while TWU has 5 (1 Gold, 2 Silver & 2 Bronze). No other CIS program has more than 2 (Winnipeg & Manitoba) in that same time period. So with these two juggernauts set to do battle in a quarter final one program will see their medal total remain unchanged for certain.
Not only have these two programs proven to be successful at the National tournament they have met frequently during the past 7 championships. The 2005 & 2006 finals were fought between these two teams with each winning the Championship once. In 2007 they met in the semifinal with Alberta coming out victorious only to lose to Winnipeg in the final while the Spartans beat UBC 3-0 in the bronze medal game. The Bears and Spartans have not met in a Championship tournament match since that day. While both have added to their medal total since this Friday marks the next chapter in the epic struggle for CIS volleyball superiority.
With other programs on the rise also appearing in the tournament this is by no means a two horse race. Brandon makes its second appearance in three years on the strength of perennial points leader Paul Sanderson's arm. Two seasons ago the Bobcats earned a bronze medal in Edmonton by defeating the McMaster Marauders earning their school's first national volleyball medal. Calgary has seen a resurgence as of late as they make their second consecutive Nationals appearance. Last year's Champion heads into this year's tournament as the #1 seed and tournament favourite. After needing 10 sets to win their first Canada West Title since 1994 the Dinos begin their title defense Friday night at 8pm against the 8th seed Sherbrooke Vert et Or.
The other major contender this weekend is the undefeated and #1 ranked team in the Nation, Universite de Laval Rouge et Or. While ranked #1 in the coach's poll Laval plays as the 2nd seed in this year's tournament. A quick look at the draw and it is clear that the 2nd seed is much more advantageous than the 1 seed seeing how 3 of the top 4 ranked teams in the country are on the top seed half of the draw. Laval is the only non-Canada West team to have won the CIS National Championship in a long, long, long time. Not since 1974 has another team other than Laval outside the Canada West Conference won a National Title (Sherbrooke). Last year's #1 seed looks to stop the western dominance in university volleyball this weekend.
Rounding out the National Tournament field are the University of New Bruinswick Varsity Reds and the McMaster Marauders. UNB knocked off Dalhousie ending a 24 year conference winning streak and a 30+ year Nationals appearance streak for the Halifax school. It is the Reds' second tournament appearance in 3 years with a 7th place finish in 2009. McMaster is a much more seasoned team at this tournament with 5 appearances in 6 years. While they were not expected to make it to this year's tournament due to a very young team they caught fire at the right time and have rattled off 10 consecutive wins en route to the OUA championships knocking off league Champ Western in the Final and preseason OUA favourite Queen's in the semi.
With many of the leagues best teams on display this coming weekend there should be some great matches. With the many upsets already to have happened thus far in the post season it is not too much of a stretch to think that this weekend will have some curves in the road to the Tantramar.
The tournament gets going on March 4th at 1pm as #2 Laval takes on #7 UNB. The rest of the schedule is:
3pm #3 Brandon vs #6 McMaster
6pm #4 Trinity Western University Spartans vs #5 Alberta
8pm #1 Calgary vs #8 Sherbrooke
As is usually the case the 4th & 5th seed match is usually the best of the first day and as articulated earlier this year is most certainly that case. In what could be the match of the tournament the Spartans will use the mighty force of the Spartan Faithful to help propel them to a victory over the perennial contenders Alberta Bears.
First serve 6pm, Friday, March 4th, 2011 @ the Langley Events Centre.
Go Spartans!!!
This weekend marks the final weekend of the 2010-2011 CIS Volleyball season for the Spartans as they get set to host the CIS National Championship Tournament. If you didn't already know that then you: 1) are not a volleyball fan, 2) are not a Spartan fan or 3) don't know how you got to this blog.
Much has been made of the first round match up the Spartans have in the University of Alberta Bears. The #2 ranked team in the CIS had a tough weekend last weekend at the Canada West Final 4 losing to Brandon in the semi final and the Spartans in the Bronze medal match. Their reward for such a weekend was a fall to the #5 seed in the national tournament. Never mind the Bears won the Canada West regular season going 17-1 in the process playing 6 matches without two key starters. Never mind the fact they were "robbed" in the semi final against Brandon with a huge missed touch call on match point thus prolonging the match that would see the Bobcats win the 5th set. All of those points were overlooked and the Bears were rewarded for their season success with a date with the Spartans in the hostile Langley Events Centre on opening day of the tournament.
The Spartans on the other hand are glad to have the match up as it will provide an early tournament answer to the question every team is anxious to know: are we good enough to win this year? Often times it takes 2 or 3 matches to have that question answered at the National tournament. For the Spartans that question will be answered sometime between 8:00 and 8:30pm Friday, March 4th at the LEC. Win and the Spartans will have proven to themselves that they have enough in the tank to potentially win the tournament. Lose and it is not meant to be this season.
To get a better handle on what type of epic match we are in store for this weekend it is worth while to look at the history between these two programs in recent years. Alberta and TWU are the two most successful volleyball programs in the last 7 years. Alberta has 7 CIS medals to their credit (3 Gold, 3 Silver & 1 Bronze) while TWU has 5 (1 Gold, 2 Silver & 2 Bronze). No other CIS program has more than 2 (Winnipeg & Manitoba) in that same time period. So with these two juggernauts set to do battle in a quarter final one program will see their medal total remain unchanged for certain.
Not only have these two programs proven to be successful at the National tournament they have met frequently during the past 7 championships. The 2005 & 2006 finals were fought between these two teams with each winning the Championship once. In 2007 they met in the semifinal with Alberta coming out victorious only to lose to Winnipeg in the final while the Spartans beat UBC 3-0 in the bronze medal game. The Bears and Spartans have not met in a Championship tournament match since that day. While both have added to their medal total since this Friday marks the next chapter in the epic struggle for CIS volleyball superiority.
With other programs on the rise also appearing in the tournament this is by no means a two horse race. Brandon makes its second appearance in three years on the strength of perennial points leader Paul Sanderson's arm. Two seasons ago the Bobcats earned a bronze medal in Edmonton by defeating the McMaster Marauders earning their school's first national volleyball medal. Calgary has seen a resurgence as of late as they make their second consecutive Nationals appearance. Last year's Champion heads into this year's tournament as the #1 seed and tournament favourite. After needing 10 sets to win their first Canada West Title since 1994 the Dinos begin their title defense Friday night at 8pm against the 8th seed Sherbrooke Vert et Or.
The other major contender this weekend is the undefeated and #1 ranked team in the Nation, Universite de Laval Rouge et Or. While ranked #1 in the coach's poll Laval plays as the 2nd seed in this year's tournament. A quick look at the draw and it is clear that the 2nd seed is much more advantageous than the 1 seed seeing how 3 of the top 4 ranked teams in the country are on the top seed half of the draw. Laval is the only non-Canada West team to have won the CIS National Championship in a long, long, long time. Not since 1974 has another team other than Laval outside the Canada West Conference won a National Title (Sherbrooke). Last year's #1 seed looks to stop the western dominance in university volleyball this weekend.
Rounding out the National Tournament field are the University of New Bruinswick Varsity Reds and the McMaster Marauders. UNB knocked off Dalhousie ending a 24 year conference winning streak and a 30+ year Nationals appearance streak for the Halifax school. It is the Reds' second tournament appearance in 3 years with a 7th place finish in 2009. McMaster is a much more seasoned team at this tournament with 5 appearances in 6 years. While they were not expected to make it to this year's tournament due to a very young team they caught fire at the right time and have rattled off 10 consecutive wins en route to the OUA championships knocking off league Champ Western in the Final and preseason OUA favourite Queen's in the semi.
With many of the leagues best teams on display this coming weekend there should be some great matches. With the many upsets already to have happened thus far in the post season it is not too much of a stretch to think that this weekend will have some curves in the road to the Tantramar.
The tournament gets going on March 4th at 1pm as #2 Laval takes on #7 UNB. The rest of the schedule is:
3pm #3 Brandon vs #6 McMaster
6pm #4 Trinity Western University Spartans vs #5 Alberta
8pm #1 Calgary vs #8 Sherbrooke
As is usually the case the 4th & 5th seed match is usually the best of the first day and as articulated earlier this year is most certainly that case. In what could be the match of the tournament the Spartans will use the mighty force of the Spartan Faithful to help propel them to a victory over the perennial contenders Alberta Bears.
First serve 6pm, Friday, March 4th, 2011 @ the Langley Events Centre.
Go Spartans!!!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Playoff Preview: Spartans vs TRU Wolfpack
February 16th, 2011 - Langley, BC
For the third consecutive season the Spartan Men's Volleyball team will be hosting a Canada West playoff series and for the second time in three against the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack. (Every time I write that I can hear their announcer say it...Thompson Rivers Universityyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy WOLFpack!) For the fourth consecutive season the Wolfpack must go into hostile territory to try to earn their way to the National Tournament. Both teams have a tendency to play the same teams in the playoffs as well. TWU has played Winnipeg 3 of the previous 5 years and TRU 2 of the last 3. TRU has played Brandon, then TWU, then Brandon and now TWU again. Both programs have had a great deal of success in the playoffs setting the stage for a great playoff series at the Langley Events Centre this weekend.
TRU has been able to attend the previous three CIS National Tournaments by way of road playoff victories (Brandon 2 times and TWU once) while TWU is looking to earn their way to a 6th National Tournament appearance in 8 years. The Spartans already have a place in the Tournament via Host Birth but there is no intention by the Langley squad to rely on the "free ride" to the Tournament. The two programs' successes in the playoffs are statements to their ability to play their best 'ball at the most important time of the year. While TWU has had the luxury of qualifying for the Tournament by winning on home soil the Wolfpack have done so on the road every time. This season looks to be no different with both teams playing very good volleyball down the stretch.
TWU comes into the weekend series on a 5 of 6 match win ratio with the only loss being in Brandon versus a very tough Bobcat team on senior appreciation night. The Wolfpack head into this weekend having won the last 4 including a pivotal weekend sweep of provincial rival UBC last weekend that broke a tie for 6th place and earned the 'Pack the right to avoid Calgary in the first round. These two teams are very familiar with each other as this will be the 7th time some form or another of Spartans and Wolfpack have competed against each other in the 2010-2011 campaign. These two teams locked up in a preseason pair of games in the lower mainland in October with TWU winning both. Later that weekend the younger squads of the teams played in the final of the Douglas College tournament in New Westminster, again with TWU coming out the victor. As the old adage goes, its tough to keep a good man, wolf, down the Wolfpack responded by spoiling the regular season home opener for TWU in November in a tough 5 set affair. The Spartans responded on the next night winning in 5, 17-15 in the 5th set completing a grueling 10 set weekend split. At the Spartan Holiday Classic in January the Spartans, or FVVC, played a young Wolfpack squad in the final day of the tournament with FVVC winning in straight sets. While the season series sits 6-1 in favour of the Spartans it must be said that most of those matches were played with split squads. The only time both teams lined up their full line ups was the regular season weekend in Langley where the epic 5 set split matches took place.
A simple look from the outside suggests that this series will follow the trend of the season series but when you take into account the way the Wolfpack have been playing as of late and the ultimate X-factor in star outside hitter Kevin Tillie, the Wolfpack will be more than a tough test for the Spartans. The Wolfpack have used more players in more roles than any team in the conference this past season. They continually rotate two very good setters in and out changing the flow of their offence. No less than four different players have played libero for TRU this season. They have three quality middles that are inter changable all roughly 6'6 and can block and attack with skill. They have 5 different wing attackers who have seen significant time this season not named Kevin Tillie. And then there is Kevin Tillie who is arguably the best player in the country (sorry Karl). Fact: there is no French phrase for Sophomore Slump (probably not fact) so French born Tillie has followed up his CIS Rookie of the Year campaign with is what is sure to be an All Canadian season (robbed if not). The TRU star attacker possesses the complete volleyball package. He is 6'6, jumps really well (11'6 minimum), is one of the leagues best defenders (top 10 in digs/set), is a fantastic blocker, the team's best passer and the league's #2 attacker behind perennial leader Paul Sanderson from Brandon. Tillie's all around game makes him a great test for any opponent and forces opposing coaches to stay up to all hours of the night trying to design a gameplan to contain, not stop, him. Like all great players in any sport Tillie makes those around him better. With teams tailoring their plan around him it provides better opportunities for the other Wolfpack attackers thus leading to their recent win streak.
As talented as Tillie is he will have his hands full this weekend as he and his TRU teammates take on the Spartans. TWU boasts the leagues top serving and blocking squad. This lethal combination allows the Spartans to routinely serve opponents off the net allowing their massive block to impose itself on the match and prey on attacker's aggressive shots. Leading the charge on the block front are a pair of 6'8 middle blockers in Dan Jansen Van Doorn and Lucas Van Berkel who both sit in the Canada West top 10 in blocking (7th & 1st respectively). Van Berkel's season average of 1.60 blocks per set is a new single season Canada West record and has earned him the Canada West Male Athlete of the Week honor this past week. On the wing the Spartans add a couple converted middles to add to their blocking prowess in Josh Doornenbal and Rudy Verhoeff who were both ranked in the top 10 in blocking for much of the season (Verhoeff finished the season 10th with 1.04). The final two blockers on the Spartan line up are 6'7 Outside Hitter Marc Howatson and 6'4 Setter Ben Ball who at 6'4 is the shortest player on the Spartan line up by 2 inches.
Blocking is difficult at best when opposed by a good offense but when that offense has to opperate from the 3 meter line blocking it becomes much easier. That is where TWU's service game comes in. The Spartans led the Canada West in Aces per set with 1.43 a full .30 better than the second place Alberta team. The serving charge is led by Van Berkel who is the lone Spartan in the top 10 in aces with .26 per set meaning that the TWU squad gets the rest of their 1.17 aces from a variety of other servers. Contributing to the season total are Verhoeff, Howatson, Jansen Van Doorn and Ball who were all ranked in the top 10 at one point this season (excluding Howatson who sat out the first semester due to injury). Adding to the baseline barrage is an arsenal of jump servers coming off the TWU bench in Nick Del Bianco, Branden Schmidt and the Spartans most dangerous serve of all Mikiah Schalk.
This combination of tough serving and big blocking has been seen before in Langley as this same style led the 2006 team to a National Championship and in 2007 they captured the Canada West banner. This weekend the Spartans will need all of their 'guns' firing and their blocks solid if they hope to put a stop to the Wolfpack's playoff winning streak on the road. Matches run 8pm both Thursday and Friday, February 17th & 18th with a third and deciding match at 7pm on Saturday, February 19th in necessary. Come out and cheer the Spartan on in what is sure to be some exciting matches.
Go Spartans!!!
For the third consecutive season the Spartan Men's Volleyball team will be hosting a Canada West playoff series and for the second time in three against the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack. (Every time I write that I can hear their announcer say it...Thompson Rivers Universityyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy WOLFpack!) For the fourth consecutive season the Wolfpack must go into hostile territory to try to earn their way to the National Tournament. Both teams have a tendency to play the same teams in the playoffs as well. TWU has played Winnipeg 3 of the previous 5 years and TRU 2 of the last 3. TRU has played Brandon, then TWU, then Brandon and now TWU again. Both programs have had a great deal of success in the playoffs setting the stage for a great playoff series at the Langley Events Centre this weekend.
TRU has been able to attend the previous three CIS National Tournaments by way of road playoff victories (Brandon 2 times and TWU once) while TWU is looking to earn their way to a 6th National Tournament appearance in 8 years. The Spartans already have a place in the Tournament via Host Birth but there is no intention by the Langley squad to rely on the "free ride" to the Tournament. The two programs' successes in the playoffs are statements to their ability to play their best 'ball at the most important time of the year. While TWU has had the luxury of qualifying for the Tournament by winning on home soil the Wolfpack have done so on the road every time. This season looks to be no different with both teams playing very good volleyball down the stretch.
TWU comes into the weekend series on a 5 of 6 match win ratio with the only loss being in Brandon versus a very tough Bobcat team on senior appreciation night. The Wolfpack head into this weekend having won the last 4 including a pivotal weekend sweep of provincial rival UBC last weekend that broke a tie for 6th place and earned the 'Pack the right to avoid Calgary in the first round. These two teams are very familiar with each other as this will be the 7th time some form or another of Spartans and Wolfpack have competed against each other in the 2010-2011 campaign. These two teams locked up in a preseason pair of games in the lower mainland in October with TWU winning both. Later that weekend the younger squads of the teams played in the final of the Douglas College tournament in New Westminster, again with TWU coming out the victor. As the old adage goes, its tough to keep a good man, wolf, down the Wolfpack responded by spoiling the regular season home opener for TWU in November in a tough 5 set affair. The Spartans responded on the next night winning in 5, 17-15 in the 5th set completing a grueling 10 set weekend split. At the Spartan Holiday Classic in January the Spartans, or FVVC, played a young Wolfpack squad in the final day of the tournament with FVVC winning in straight sets. While the season series sits 6-1 in favour of the Spartans it must be said that most of those matches were played with split squads. The only time both teams lined up their full line ups was the regular season weekend in Langley where the epic 5 set split matches took place.
A simple look from the outside suggests that this series will follow the trend of the season series but when you take into account the way the Wolfpack have been playing as of late and the ultimate X-factor in star outside hitter Kevin Tillie, the Wolfpack will be more than a tough test for the Spartans. The Wolfpack have used more players in more roles than any team in the conference this past season. They continually rotate two very good setters in and out changing the flow of their offence. No less than four different players have played libero for TRU this season. They have three quality middles that are inter changable all roughly 6'6 and can block and attack with skill. They have 5 different wing attackers who have seen significant time this season not named Kevin Tillie. And then there is Kevin Tillie who is arguably the best player in the country (sorry Karl). Fact: there is no French phrase for Sophomore Slump (probably not fact) so French born Tillie has followed up his CIS Rookie of the Year campaign with is what is sure to be an All Canadian season (robbed if not). The TRU star attacker possesses the complete volleyball package. He is 6'6, jumps really well (11'6 minimum), is one of the leagues best defenders (top 10 in digs/set), is a fantastic blocker, the team's best passer and the league's #2 attacker behind perennial leader Paul Sanderson from Brandon. Tillie's all around game makes him a great test for any opponent and forces opposing coaches to stay up to all hours of the night trying to design a gameplan to contain, not stop, him. Like all great players in any sport Tillie makes those around him better. With teams tailoring their plan around him it provides better opportunities for the other Wolfpack attackers thus leading to their recent win streak.
As talented as Tillie is he will have his hands full this weekend as he and his TRU teammates take on the Spartans. TWU boasts the leagues top serving and blocking squad. This lethal combination allows the Spartans to routinely serve opponents off the net allowing their massive block to impose itself on the match and prey on attacker's aggressive shots. Leading the charge on the block front are a pair of 6'8 middle blockers in Dan Jansen Van Doorn and Lucas Van Berkel who both sit in the Canada West top 10 in blocking (7th & 1st respectively). Van Berkel's season average of 1.60 blocks per set is a new single season Canada West record and has earned him the Canada West Male Athlete of the Week honor this past week. On the wing the Spartans add a couple converted middles to add to their blocking prowess in Josh Doornenbal and Rudy Verhoeff who were both ranked in the top 10 in blocking for much of the season (Verhoeff finished the season 10th with 1.04). The final two blockers on the Spartan line up are 6'7 Outside Hitter Marc Howatson and 6'4 Setter Ben Ball who at 6'4 is the shortest player on the Spartan line up by 2 inches.
Blocking is difficult at best when opposed by a good offense but when that offense has to opperate from the 3 meter line blocking it becomes much easier. That is where TWU's service game comes in. The Spartans led the Canada West in Aces per set with 1.43 a full .30 better than the second place Alberta team. The serving charge is led by Van Berkel who is the lone Spartan in the top 10 in aces with .26 per set meaning that the TWU squad gets the rest of their 1.17 aces from a variety of other servers. Contributing to the season total are Verhoeff, Howatson, Jansen Van Doorn and Ball who were all ranked in the top 10 at one point this season (excluding Howatson who sat out the first semester due to injury). Adding to the baseline barrage is an arsenal of jump servers coming off the TWU bench in Nick Del Bianco, Branden Schmidt and the Spartans most dangerous serve of all Mikiah Schalk.
This combination of tough serving and big blocking has been seen before in Langley as this same style led the 2006 team to a National Championship and in 2007 they captured the Canada West banner. This weekend the Spartans will need all of their 'guns' firing and their blocks solid if they hope to put a stop to the Wolfpack's playoff winning streak on the road. Matches run 8pm both Thursday and Friday, February 17th & 18th with a third and deciding match at 7pm on Saturday, February 19th in necessary. Come out and cheer the Spartan on in what is sure to be some exciting matches.
Go Spartans!!!
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Weekend Preview: Brandon Bobcats
February 3rd, 2011 - Somewhere between Winnipeg and Brandon
The Canada West regular season is winding down with just 4 more league matches to be played. As often is the case this time of year the different scenarios and "if who beats who" and "then they play we" and so forth. Some years it takes a doctorate degree to sort out the various tie break scenarios but this year the Canada West story is looking like it will play out like a good movie. An intriguing start, some twists in the middle and a building climax at the end. In the 2nd last weekend there are some major story lines to be decided.
Regina is still hanging in the playoff picture but needs two wins at UBC this weekend. UBC needs one win this weekend to make their return to the playoffs after a year off. TRU and Winnipeg square up in Kamloops with the host team needing just one win to clinch a playoff birth while Winnipeg needs a split. Alberta hosts Sask in a mean little match up with the Huskies already eliminated form the playoffs they will be building with their young group while the Bears need two wins to try to keep pace in the race for first place (nice huh!). The weekend's two major match ups see the undefeated Calgary Dinos go to play the Bisons of Manitoba. The Dinos are looking to keep a strangle hold on first place heading into the final weekend match up with Alberta. The Bisons are looking to secure a host playoff birth and could do so with a win this weekend.
The final match up of the weekend has the Spartans from wet-coast Langley, BC traveling to the frozen tundra of Brandon, Manitoba. Not really that froze of tundra but in honor of the Packers in the Superbowl this weekend you need to read that again but in the NFL Films guy's voice..."the frozen tundra of Lambeau...er...Brandon Manitoba." This weekend's matches have massive implications to the rest of the playoff picture. With one win TWU will secure a host playoff birth and will have the chance to go heads up with Manitoba to fight for third place. Should Brandon sweep the Spartans this weekend then the Bobcats would put themselves in a great position to earn a host playoff birth next weekend when they play Winnipeg while the Spartans would then have to battle the Bisons at the LEC for that final host birth.
Why is a host playoff birth so important you ask? Good question...it is extremely difficult to beat a good team twice in their barn. Often at the end of the season the difference between the top teams in the conference and the bottom teams is dramatically reduced. What separates them is the venue of competition. The right to play in front of your own fans, friends and family, to sleep and eat in your own surroundings and the comfort of playing in your own facility often proves to be the difference in the playoffs. So with that said this weekend provides a huge opportunity for the Spartans to gain an edge when it comes to advancing through the first round of the playoffs.
What stands in the Spartans way are the the Brandon Bobcats. With a record of 7-7 it would look like the Spartans would be the clear favourite. But make no mistake the Bobcats are a much more dangerous team than their .500 record would indicate. Leading the charge for Brandon University is the reigning CIS player of the year Paul Sanderson who is having an even better statistical season than his award winning season a year ago. To go along with Sanderson's 6+ points per game is the conference's most efficient attacker in Jon Sloan. Standing at 6'9 with good jump he is an imposing figure to match up against. The formula of great wing attacking and a solid first tempo in the offense is one that all teams strive to achieve and the Bobcats most certainly have.
Since joining the CIS in Men's Volleyball the Bobcats have had a tough time with the Spartans. In 2007, the Spartans took both nights in Brandon. A year later with the addition of Sanderson the Spartans and Bobcats split 3-0 decisions at the David E Enarson Gymnasium in Langley. Then it was back to Brandon where National team middle player Joel Small put up a 22 block night to secure a split late in the season. Last season the Spartans exacted some revenge as they were able to defend the new Langley Events Centre winning 3-0 & 3-2. The Spartans 6-2 record with the Bobcats show that Tee-Dub has HAD success but as any competitor knows, this isn't a math or history test, its the best team on one day.
The day in question is February 4th, 6pm pacific time. The #7 ranked Brandon Bobcats host the #4 ranked Trinity Western Spartans with massive playoff implications at stake. Tune in to the webcast at http://educationcdn.com/schools/bobcats/
Go Spartans!!!
The Canada West regular season is winding down with just 4 more league matches to be played. As often is the case this time of year the different scenarios and "if who beats who" and "then they play we" and so forth. Some years it takes a doctorate degree to sort out the various tie break scenarios but this year the Canada West story is looking like it will play out like a good movie. An intriguing start, some twists in the middle and a building climax at the end. In the 2nd last weekend there are some major story lines to be decided.
Regina is still hanging in the playoff picture but needs two wins at UBC this weekend. UBC needs one win this weekend to make their return to the playoffs after a year off. TRU and Winnipeg square up in Kamloops with the host team needing just one win to clinch a playoff birth while Winnipeg needs a split. Alberta hosts Sask in a mean little match up with the Huskies already eliminated form the playoffs they will be building with their young group while the Bears need two wins to try to keep pace in the race for first place (nice huh!). The weekend's two major match ups see the undefeated Calgary Dinos go to play the Bisons of Manitoba. The Dinos are looking to keep a strangle hold on first place heading into the final weekend match up with Alberta. The Bisons are looking to secure a host playoff birth and could do so with a win this weekend.
The final match up of the weekend has the Spartans from wet-coast Langley, BC traveling to the frozen tundra of Brandon, Manitoba. Not really that froze of tundra but in honor of the Packers in the Superbowl this weekend you need to read that again but in the NFL Films guy's voice..."the frozen tundra of Lambeau...er...Brandon Manitoba." This weekend's matches have massive implications to the rest of the playoff picture. With one win TWU will secure a host playoff birth and will have the chance to go heads up with Manitoba to fight for third place. Should Brandon sweep the Spartans this weekend then the Bobcats would put themselves in a great position to earn a host playoff birth next weekend when they play Winnipeg while the Spartans would then have to battle the Bisons at the LEC for that final host birth.
Why is a host playoff birth so important you ask? Good question...it is extremely difficult to beat a good team twice in their barn. Often at the end of the season the difference between the top teams in the conference and the bottom teams is dramatically reduced. What separates them is the venue of competition. The right to play in front of your own fans, friends and family, to sleep and eat in your own surroundings and the comfort of playing in your own facility often proves to be the difference in the playoffs. So with that said this weekend provides a huge opportunity for the Spartans to gain an edge when it comes to advancing through the first round of the playoffs.
What stands in the Spartans way are the the Brandon Bobcats. With a record of 7-7 it would look like the Spartans would be the clear favourite. But make no mistake the Bobcats are a much more dangerous team than their .500 record would indicate. Leading the charge for Brandon University is the reigning CIS player of the year Paul Sanderson who is having an even better statistical season than his award winning season a year ago. To go along with Sanderson's 6+ points per game is the conference's most efficient attacker in Jon Sloan. Standing at 6'9 with good jump he is an imposing figure to match up against. The formula of great wing attacking and a solid first tempo in the offense is one that all teams strive to achieve and the Bobcats most certainly have.
Since joining the CIS in Men's Volleyball the Bobcats have had a tough time with the Spartans. In 2007, the Spartans took both nights in Brandon. A year later with the addition of Sanderson the Spartans and Bobcats split 3-0 decisions at the David E Enarson Gymnasium in Langley. Then it was back to Brandon where National team middle player Joel Small put up a 22 block night to secure a split late in the season. Last season the Spartans exacted some revenge as they were able to defend the new Langley Events Centre winning 3-0 & 3-2. The Spartans 6-2 record with the Bobcats show that Tee-Dub has HAD success but as any competitor knows, this isn't a math or history test, its the best team on one day.
The day in question is February 4th, 6pm pacific time. The #7 ranked Brandon Bobcats host the #4 ranked Trinity Western Spartans with massive playoff implications at stake. Tune in to the webcast at http://educationcdn.com/schools/bobcats/
Go Spartans!!!
Location:Brandon, Manitoba
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Weekend Preview: Calgary Dinos
January 19th, 2011 - Langley, BC
This weekend the Spartans play host to the Calgary Dinos in the second semester opener at the Langley Events Centre. There are so many story lines stemming from this weekend it is a veritable bonanza of joy.
The first and obvious story line is the rematch of the 2010 CIS National Final that saw the Dinos down the Spartans 3-1. After dropping the first two sets the Spartans won the third set and looked in control of the fourth but faltered down the stretch and saw the Dinos celebrate the National Championship in Kamloops last March. That image is still burned in the memories of may of the current Spartan players as most all of last year's roster returned for this season. While the "rematch" may take the media centre stage there is far more at stake this weekend than redemption.
The Dinos currently sit 10-0 and remain the only undefeated team in Canada West. That means they are the only team that controls their own destiny with regards to winning the regular season title, a bye through the first round of the playoffs and the right to host the Final Four all of which the Spartans look to achieve as well. With a split the Dinos would fall into a three way tie with Alberta or Manitoba (they play each other this weekend). A Spartan sweep would put TWU just 1 game out, potentially tied, for the Canada West lead. The Spartans would need a split from Toba and Alberta to have a share of the lead. From a Canada West placing perspective this is a huge weekend with all of the top four teams in the conference playing each other. Much more will be known about the future of CanWest after this weekend.
Another story line is the recent success and rivalry between these two team that have seemed to have charted a similar course over the past couple seasons. In 2008-2009 the Dinos finished 2nd and TWU 3rd in the regular season and both teams were looking to return to the National Championship for the first time in a while (2003 - Calgary, 2007 - TWU). But this was not to be as both teams were "upset" in the first round of the Canada West playoffs. The Dinos lost a tough three match weekend with Winnipeg and the Spartans had a similar fate with Thompson Rivers. That bitter disappointment made both teams better the following year as the Dinos finished 2nd again and made amends in the playoffs quickly dispatching the Manitoba Bisons 2-0 while the Spartans had to go three matches to get past those pesky Wesmen from Winnipeg.
2009-2010 saw the rivalry between these very similar teams take shape. Their first meeting was in the Dino Cup that Calgary hosted in October. The After winning the first set the Spartans dropped the next three and ultimately had to play for third due to a tie break that went in the host team's favour...controversially. In the last weekend of the first semester they met in Calgary where the Dinos were just named the #1 team in the CIS that week. The Dinos won the first night against a very lack-luster Spartan team. The following day the Spartan athletes responded by having an athletes only practice where the coaching staff was asked to "go for coffee" and let them prepare holding themselves accountable to there coming performance. Their tactic worked as a very inspired and aggressive Spartan team won a chippy 4 set match dethroning Calgary of their #1 ranking after just one week.
The teams met again in the Canada West Final Four in Edmonton. Calgary took sets 1&4 with the Spartans taking the middle two setting up a bitterly contested 5th set that saw the Spartans advance to the Canada West Final against Alberta that they ultimately lost in 5 sets.
The CIS National Tournament saw these two teams take a similar route to meet in what was thought as an unlikely final pre tournament. Calgary drew a tough Dalhousie team in the first round and after dropping the first two sets they made a line up change and they caught fire winning the final three sets to advance to the semi final. The Spartans had an easier match, score wise, against an equally tough opponent in the Queen's Gaels, winning 3-0. The semi finals saw Calgary take on perennial favorite Alberta who had been in the 8 previous finals. The Dinos were able to gut out a 5 set win to advance to their first final since the mid 90's. The Spartans had to go the distance with undefeated and #1 seed Laval. In one of the most entertaining matches of volleyball you will ever see the Spartans recovered from a 23-19 deficit down 2 sets to 1 to force a 5th and deciding set. Finally at 20-18 the Spartans made a block to seal yet another match with the Dinos, the 5th on the season.
This year the rivalry has continued to grow as these two teams have met once already in the final of the Spartan Holiday Classic on January 5th at the Langley Events Centre. The Spartans played well enough to win 3-0 but the match was much closer than that setting the stage for another great weekend of volleyball between these two volley-powers.
On a personal note there are a number of intriguing relationships between these two teams. Rudy Verhoeff (Spartan 4th year Outside Hitter) was high school and club teammates with two current Dinos players (Ciaran McGovern and Levi Nutma). Rudy along with Marc Howatson have played the last three summers with Dinos Graham Vigrass, Jay Blankenau and McGovern with the National Junior and B teams. There are 7 current Spartans hailing from the province of Alberta so many of them played provincial team with many of the Dinos athletes as well including three from the city of Calgary (Verhoeff, Jarrod Offereins & Branden Schmidt).
All the personal relationships combined with the developing rivalry between these two CIS finalists will create a great competitive environment. Add in the second semester intensity where every match matters three fold in the final standings and it is not to much to assume this will be the most exciting weekend at the Langley Events Centre this season...YET!
Match times are 8pm Friday, January 21st and 7pm Saturday, January 22nd. Calling all Faithful, the Spartans will need you.
Go Spartans!!!
This weekend the Spartans play host to the Calgary Dinos in the second semester opener at the Langley Events Centre. There are so many story lines stemming from this weekend it is a veritable bonanza of joy.
The first and obvious story line is the rematch of the 2010 CIS National Final that saw the Dinos down the Spartans 3-1. After dropping the first two sets the Spartans won the third set and looked in control of the fourth but faltered down the stretch and saw the Dinos celebrate the National Championship in Kamloops last March. That image is still burned in the memories of may of the current Spartan players as most all of last year's roster returned for this season. While the "rematch" may take the media centre stage there is far more at stake this weekend than redemption.
The Dinos currently sit 10-0 and remain the only undefeated team in Canada West. That means they are the only team that controls their own destiny with regards to winning the regular season title, a bye through the first round of the playoffs and the right to host the Final Four all of which the Spartans look to achieve as well. With a split the Dinos would fall into a three way tie with Alberta or Manitoba (they play each other this weekend). A Spartan sweep would put TWU just 1 game out, potentially tied, for the Canada West lead. The Spartans would need a split from Toba and Alberta to have a share of the lead. From a Canada West placing perspective this is a huge weekend with all of the top four teams in the conference playing each other. Much more will be known about the future of CanWest after this weekend.
Another story line is the recent success and rivalry between these two team that have seemed to have charted a similar course over the past couple seasons. In 2008-2009 the Dinos finished 2nd and TWU 3rd in the regular season and both teams were looking to return to the National Championship for the first time in a while (2003 - Calgary, 2007 - TWU). But this was not to be as both teams were "upset" in the first round of the Canada West playoffs. The Dinos lost a tough three match weekend with Winnipeg and the Spartans had a similar fate with Thompson Rivers. That bitter disappointment made both teams better the following year as the Dinos finished 2nd again and made amends in the playoffs quickly dispatching the Manitoba Bisons 2-0 while the Spartans had to go three matches to get past those pesky Wesmen from Winnipeg.
2009-2010 saw the rivalry between these very similar teams take shape. Their first meeting was in the Dino Cup that Calgary hosted in October. The After winning the first set the Spartans dropped the next three and ultimately had to play for third due to a tie break that went in the host team's favour...controversially. In the last weekend of the first semester they met in Calgary where the Dinos were just named the #1 team in the CIS that week. The Dinos won the first night against a very lack-luster Spartan team. The following day the Spartan athletes responded by having an athletes only practice where the coaching staff was asked to "go for coffee" and let them prepare holding themselves accountable to there coming performance. Their tactic worked as a very inspired and aggressive Spartan team won a chippy 4 set match dethroning Calgary of their #1 ranking after just one week.
The teams met again in the Canada West Final Four in Edmonton. Calgary took sets 1&4 with the Spartans taking the middle two setting up a bitterly contested 5th set that saw the Spartans advance to the Canada West Final against Alberta that they ultimately lost in 5 sets.
The CIS National Tournament saw these two teams take a similar route to meet in what was thought as an unlikely final pre tournament. Calgary drew a tough Dalhousie team in the first round and after dropping the first two sets they made a line up change and they caught fire winning the final three sets to advance to the semi final. The Spartans had an easier match, score wise, against an equally tough opponent in the Queen's Gaels, winning 3-0. The semi finals saw Calgary take on perennial favorite Alberta who had been in the 8 previous finals. The Dinos were able to gut out a 5 set win to advance to their first final since the mid 90's. The Spartans had to go the distance with undefeated and #1 seed Laval. In one of the most entertaining matches of volleyball you will ever see the Spartans recovered from a 23-19 deficit down 2 sets to 1 to force a 5th and deciding set. Finally at 20-18 the Spartans made a block to seal yet another match with the Dinos, the 5th on the season.
This year the rivalry has continued to grow as these two teams have met once already in the final of the Spartan Holiday Classic on January 5th at the Langley Events Centre. The Spartans played well enough to win 3-0 but the match was much closer than that setting the stage for another great weekend of volleyball between these two volley-powers.
On a personal note there are a number of intriguing relationships between these two teams. Rudy Verhoeff (Spartan 4th year Outside Hitter) was high school and club teammates with two current Dinos players (Ciaran McGovern and Levi Nutma). Rudy along with Marc Howatson have played the last three summers with Dinos Graham Vigrass, Jay Blankenau and McGovern with the National Junior and B teams. There are 7 current Spartans hailing from the province of Alberta so many of them played provincial team with many of the Dinos athletes as well including three from the city of Calgary (Verhoeff, Jarrod Offereins & Branden Schmidt).
All the personal relationships combined with the developing rivalry between these two CIS finalists will create a great competitive environment. Add in the second semester intensity where every match matters three fold in the final standings and it is not to much to assume this will be the most exciting weekend at the Langley Events Centre this season...YET!
Match times are 8pm Friday, January 21st and 7pm Saturday, January 22nd. Calling all Faithful, the Spartans will need you.
Go Spartans!!!
Location:Langley, BC
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Food For Thought: Spartan Second Semester History
January 16th, 2011 - Langley, BC
As we head into the second semester lets take a look back at the Spartan Men's Volleyball Program's history of success and otherwise at the midway point.
We will start tracking the records from January 1st, 2004 which was the first season in which the Spartans began their run of 6 of 8 National Tournament appearances totaling in 5 National medals (1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) the second most in the CIS during that period (Alberta Bears).
Year January 1 Final CW Finish 2nd Sem
Record Record Place CW/CIS Record
2004 3-5 12-8 4th 4th/3rd 9-3
2005 5-3 14-6 2nd 2nd/2nd 9-3
2006 8-2 16-4 2nd 2nd/1st 8-2
2007 5-1 13-5 2nd 1st/3rd 7-4
2008 4-4 8-10 7th NA/NA 4-6
2009 5-3 11-7 3rd NA/NA 6-4
2010 6-2 11-7 4th 2nd/2nd 5-5
2011 8-2 TBD TBD TBD/TBD TBD
Extra Notes:
2004: Second semester Coach Ron Pike made a switch to the starting lineup after a loss to Alberta at home. The team responded with a 5 set win, the programs first ever versus the Bears. That spurred a 9-2 record down the stretch en route to the programs first ever appearance at the National Tournament and a Bronze Medal.
2005: The programs first every appearance in both the Canada West final and the CIS National final. Same opponent and same result but the stage would be set for the following year.
2006: Going up against arguably the best CIS talent ever assembled in the undefeated Bears the Spartans won their first ever and lone CIS title to date.
2007: With arguably the best Spartan roster in the programs history and coming off a National Championship the team was rittled with injuries and had to move Josh Howatson, National Team setter, to the middle en route to the program's first Canada West title and its second bronze medal.
2008: In coach Josephson's first year with 4 freshman starters the team by the end of the season the team failed to make the National Tournament for the first time in 4 seasons. While it was a disappointment those four freshman starters (Ben Ball, Paul Lindemulder, Rudy Verhoeff and Marc Howatson) would become the core of the current cycle.
2009: After a great season and earning a host playoff berth in the 3rd position the Spartans lost to TRU in the third match of the best of three in 5. One of the most epic playoff series to date.
2010: With the freshmen from 2008 now in their 3rd years the team was poised to return to the National Tournament. After a tough three match playoff with Winnipeg the team went to Edmonton and lost in the Canada West final to Alberta in 5. Then it is return to the CIS Tournament the Spartans knocked off the undefeated #1 team in the country, Laval Rouge et Or, in the semi-final en route to the program's second National Silver Medal.
2011: With a host berth locked up to the National Tournament what remains to be seen is what kind of second semester this year's Spartan team can muster. The above table shows that any kind of record at the semester break can end in success or otherwise. It is what kind of performance and resiliency the team shows that will prove what the final outcome will be.
As evidenced by the table, all you need to do is get to the "dance" where anything can happen. The Spartans have gone into the tournament as favorites and underdogs but in all cases once at the tournament the Spartans are a force to be reckoned with. The Spartans have never NOT medalled at the National Tournament once they have been there.
BIG PLAYERS MAKE BIG PLAYS AT BIG TIMES!
Go Spartans!!!
As we head into the second semester lets take a look back at the Spartan Men's Volleyball Program's history of success and otherwise at the midway point.
We will start tracking the records from January 1st, 2004 which was the first season in which the Spartans began their run of 6 of 8 National Tournament appearances totaling in 5 National medals (1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) the second most in the CIS during that period (Alberta Bears).
Year January 1 Final CW Finish 2nd Sem
Record Record Place CW/CIS Record
2004 3-5 12-8 4th 4th/3rd 9-3
2005 5-3 14-6 2nd 2nd/2nd 9-3
2006 8-2 16-4 2nd 2nd/1st 8-2
2007 5-1 13-5 2nd 1st/3rd 7-4
2008 4-4 8-10 7th NA/NA 4-6
2009 5-3 11-7 3rd NA/NA 6-4
2010 6-2 11-7 4th 2nd/2nd 5-5
2011 8-2 TBD TBD TBD/TBD TBD
Extra Notes:
2004: Second semester Coach Ron Pike made a switch to the starting lineup after a loss to Alberta at home. The team responded with a 5 set win, the programs first ever versus the Bears. That spurred a 9-2 record down the stretch en route to the programs first ever appearance at the National Tournament and a Bronze Medal.
2005: The programs first every appearance in both the Canada West final and the CIS National final. Same opponent and same result but the stage would be set for the following year.
2006: Going up against arguably the best CIS talent ever assembled in the undefeated Bears the Spartans won their first ever and lone CIS title to date.
2007: With arguably the best Spartan roster in the programs history and coming off a National Championship the team was rittled with injuries and had to move Josh Howatson, National Team setter, to the middle en route to the program's first Canada West title and its second bronze medal.
2008: In coach Josephson's first year with 4 freshman starters the team by the end of the season the team failed to make the National Tournament for the first time in 4 seasons. While it was a disappointment those four freshman starters (Ben Ball, Paul Lindemulder, Rudy Verhoeff and Marc Howatson) would become the core of the current cycle.
2009: After a great season and earning a host playoff berth in the 3rd position the Spartans lost to TRU in the third match of the best of three in 5. One of the most epic playoff series to date.
2010: With the freshmen from 2008 now in their 3rd years the team was poised to return to the National Tournament. After a tough three match playoff with Winnipeg the team went to Edmonton and lost in the Canada West final to Alberta in 5. Then it is return to the CIS Tournament the Spartans knocked off the undefeated #1 team in the country, Laval Rouge et Or, in the semi-final en route to the program's second National Silver Medal.
2011: With a host berth locked up to the National Tournament what remains to be seen is what kind of second semester this year's Spartan team can muster. The above table shows that any kind of record at the semester break can end in success or otherwise. It is what kind of performance and resiliency the team shows that will prove what the final outcome will be.
As evidenced by the table, all you need to do is get to the "dance" where anything can happen. The Spartans have gone into the tournament as favorites and underdogs but in all cases once at the tournament the Spartans are a force to be reckoned with. The Spartans have never NOT medalled at the National Tournament once they have been there.
BIG PLAYERS MAKE BIG PLAYS AT BIG TIMES!
Go Spartans!!!
Location:Langley, BC
Second semester preview Spartans MVB
With the second semester sprint looming just 10 days from getting under way it's time to take a quick look at what is in store for the volley boys from TWU.
Sitting at 8-2 at the semester break is a spot that is quite comfortable from a make the playoffs stand point but it is not nearly solid enough for the Spartans to achieve some of the goals that they hope to achieve.
The first goal to be achieved is to secure a host playoff birth for the third consecutive year. To achieve that the Spartans will most likely need a minimum of 3 more wins in their remaining 8 games. While 3 would most likely do it 4 should clinch it. Where those wins will come from will be the difficult task, to be discussed later.
The second goal is to win the conference regular season title, a feat that has not yet been accomplished by the Spartan Men's Volleyball program. Not only would winning the conference regular season be unprecedented but it would also secure the host of the Canada West Final 4 as well as a bye through the first round of the playoffs and some much needed rest.
The third goal out there, and the one that has little direct baring on the regular season, is winning the "blue" banner or the conference tournament. By doing so TWU would capture its 2nd Canada West men's volleyball title (2007) and would be all but guaranteed a top 1 or 2 seed in the national tournament.
The fourth and final goal, and the ultimate prize, is the "red" banner or the National Title. After losing in the title match a year ago the Spartans have had their eyes set on a return to that match with a different outcome. The previous goals all make this final goal a little easier but none of them will matter if this final goal is the only one accomplished.
These goals were set at the beginning of the season by the team and they have been training and playing hard to achieve them. While they would be nice to achieve they have no relationship to the fact the Spartans are in the National Tournament in March at the Langley Events Centre. Having a guaranteed host birth to compete for a national title is a nice fall back this year's edition of Spartan Men's Volleyball has not intention of using the host birth.
The National Championship is not necessarily won by the best team during the whole season but rather the team that is playing the best at the end of the season. The second semester provides the perfect build up towards that end.
The semester begins with a matchup with the University of Calgary Dinos (10-0) who not only are the defending National Champions but also sit alone atop the Canada West standings. The semester opening weekend should show the Spartans just where they are at with regards to their goals and their level of performance. In order to win the regular season the Spartans will most likely have to capture a sweep of the Dinos on home court and then would still need some help as Alberta & Manitoba only have 1 loss each.
The second weekend sees the Spartans travel to Saskatoon to play the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. While the Huskies are 1-9 at this point they are a very talented and dangerous team that still have a real chance of making the playoffs but will need to string together some quality wins, including the TWU weekend.
The third weekend is one of the "trap" weekends for TWU this semester as they travel to Brandon to take on the Bobcats. At 4-6 the Bobcats are in a spot few thought they would be in at the beginning of the season. Brandon was a preseason favorite to win the conference boasting the reigning CIS Player of the Year in Paul Sanderson (5th, Left Side, Australia). The Bobcats have underachieved thus far this season but as mentioned earlier it is not what teams do so much in the first semester rather how they are playing at the end of the second. The Spartans meet up with the Bobcats in the second to last regular season weekend and the host team should be in post season form and have shaken off the first semester's performance woes.
The second semester wraps up back in Langley as the Spartans play host the the Manitoba Bisons who are this year's surprise team. After missing the playoffs last season the Bisons have shot out to an impressive 11-1 record and are sitting tied for 2nd place in the conference. Manitoba had the luxury of a "softer" first semester but their level of play has been impressive none the less. Many of the Spartans goals will hang in the balance on Senior Weekend in Langley as playoff positioning and potentially the conference title may hang in the balance.
Upon the conclusion of regular season play the Spartans will enter the playoff phase of the season. The first round, if TWU does not earn a bye by winning the regular season title, consists of a best of three series. The winners of the three playoff series advance to the Final 4 to be hosted by the conference title winner. From there the top three plus TWU will advance to the National Championship at the Langley Events Centre March 4-6.
As evidenced the second semester is truly a sprint where every weekend is a must perform. The ability of a team to build their level of play towards the first weekend in March is the team that will have the best chance of playing their best when it counts the most. The top of the Canada West standings remains very tight with many match ups between those teams in the second semester. There could be much movement in the standings and rankings throughout the semester and nothing will be certain at any point.
To that end the Spartans enter the semester's play with a tough resolve to earn the right to be at the National Championship. It will take unbelievable focus and determination to prepare for each coming weekend's challenge for what it is. Finally it will take unmatched resiliency to respond to stumbles along the way for no Champion is that without adversity. It is the team that takes on adversity head on, conquers it and moves on quickly and intentionally that will be best prepared for the final weekend.
It will be an exciting finish to the 2010-2011 season...
Go Spartans!!!
Sitting at 8-2 at the semester break is a spot that is quite comfortable from a make the playoffs stand point but it is not nearly solid enough for the Spartans to achieve some of the goals that they hope to achieve.
The first goal to be achieved is to secure a host playoff birth for the third consecutive year. To achieve that the Spartans will most likely need a minimum of 3 more wins in their remaining 8 games. While 3 would most likely do it 4 should clinch it. Where those wins will come from will be the difficult task, to be discussed later.
The second goal is to win the conference regular season title, a feat that has not yet been accomplished by the Spartan Men's Volleyball program. Not only would winning the conference regular season be unprecedented but it would also secure the host of the Canada West Final 4 as well as a bye through the first round of the playoffs and some much needed rest.
The third goal out there, and the one that has little direct baring on the regular season, is winning the "blue" banner or the conference tournament. By doing so TWU would capture its 2nd Canada West men's volleyball title (2007) and would be all but guaranteed a top 1 or 2 seed in the national tournament.
The fourth and final goal, and the ultimate prize, is the "red" banner or the National Title. After losing in the title match a year ago the Spartans have had their eyes set on a return to that match with a different outcome. The previous goals all make this final goal a little easier but none of them will matter if this final goal is the only one accomplished.
These goals were set at the beginning of the season by the team and they have been training and playing hard to achieve them. While they would be nice to achieve they have no relationship to the fact the Spartans are in the National Tournament in March at the Langley Events Centre. Having a guaranteed host birth to compete for a national title is a nice fall back this year's edition of Spartan Men's Volleyball has not intention of using the host birth.
The National Championship is not necessarily won by the best team during the whole season but rather the team that is playing the best at the end of the season. The second semester provides the perfect build up towards that end.
The semester begins with a matchup with the University of Calgary Dinos (10-0) who not only are the defending National Champions but also sit alone atop the Canada West standings. The semester opening weekend should show the Spartans just where they are at with regards to their goals and their level of performance. In order to win the regular season the Spartans will most likely have to capture a sweep of the Dinos on home court and then would still need some help as Alberta & Manitoba only have 1 loss each.
The second weekend sees the Spartans travel to Saskatoon to play the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. While the Huskies are 1-9 at this point they are a very talented and dangerous team that still have a real chance of making the playoffs but will need to string together some quality wins, including the TWU weekend.
The third weekend is one of the "trap" weekends for TWU this semester as they travel to Brandon to take on the Bobcats. At 4-6 the Bobcats are in a spot few thought they would be in at the beginning of the season. Brandon was a preseason favorite to win the conference boasting the reigning CIS Player of the Year in Paul Sanderson (5th, Left Side, Australia). The Bobcats have underachieved thus far this season but as mentioned earlier it is not what teams do so much in the first semester rather how they are playing at the end of the second. The Spartans meet up with the Bobcats in the second to last regular season weekend and the host team should be in post season form and have shaken off the first semester's performance woes.
The second semester wraps up back in Langley as the Spartans play host the the Manitoba Bisons who are this year's surprise team. After missing the playoffs last season the Bisons have shot out to an impressive 11-1 record and are sitting tied for 2nd place in the conference. Manitoba had the luxury of a "softer" first semester but their level of play has been impressive none the less. Many of the Spartans goals will hang in the balance on Senior Weekend in Langley as playoff positioning and potentially the conference title may hang in the balance.
Upon the conclusion of regular season play the Spartans will enter the playoff phase of the season. The first round, if TWU does not earn a bye by winning the regular season title, consists of a best of three series. The winners of the three playoff series advance to the Final 4 to be hosted by the conference title winner. From there the top three plus TWU will advance to the National Championship at the Langley Events Centre March 4-6.
As evidenced the second semester is truly a sprint where every weekend is a must perform. The ability of a team to build their level of play towards the first weekend in March is the team that will have the best chance of playing their best when it counts the most. The top of the Canada West standings remains very tight with many match ups between those teams in the second semester. There could be much movement in the standings and rankings throughout the semester and nothing will be certain at any point.
To that end the Spartans enter the semester's play with a tough resolve to earn the right to be at the National Championship. It will take unbelievable focus and determination to prepare for each coming weekend's challenge for what it is. Finally it will take unmatched resiliency to respond to stumbles along the way for no Champion is that without adversity. It is the team that takes on adversity head on, conquers it and moves on quickly and intentionally that will be best prepared for the final weekend.
It will be an exciting finish to the 2010-2011 season...
Go Spartans!!!
Location:Langley, BC
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