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!!!