Trinity Western University moves on to the U-SPORTS Women’s Volleyball SemiFinals after electric home win against rivals UBC

JEN FIELD/GATG

Trinity Western University, host of the USPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship, swept UBC with a 3-0 win at home on March 13. The Spartans filled their house at the Langley Events Centre with loud cheers and a favourable result.

TWU and UBC have had intense encounters over the years and this game was no different. The two universities will always deliver an exciting rivalry and great volleyball. 

The first set was characterized by a strong lead by the Spartans. 

The Spartans took an early advantage, as UBC missed their serve on the first set. The Spartans were good at finding gaps between the Thunderbirds, allowing them to keep climbing in score. Chemistry seemed to favor the Spartans early on.

After a time-out by UBC, the Thunderbirds began to gain more confidence and made more strategic plays. They began to play closer to the net, setting balls closer and making TWU run and not get the point. This helped the Thunderbirds to tie the score, 13-13.

The first set was finished with multiple deuces, going back and forth with points. UBC battled hard but the Spartans ultimately won the first set with a 33-31 score.

The Thunderbirds got the first point in the second set which helped with their confidence. UBC’s chemistry increased on the court with an amazing setting for Lucy Burowski to spike. Burowski is a fifth year UBC student, called up to Team Canada Volleyball from 2022-2025. 

UBC began to score more but the Spartans tied the score when reaching 20-20. They relied on looking for gaps at the back of the court, which gave them the second set win with a score of  26-24.

The third set had the Thunderbirds ahead by 4 points. With their chemistry, energy and strategic plays, it seemed like the Thunderbirds were looking for a comeback. But the Spartans caught up and the game settled into a point-by-point score. 

TWU continued looking for weak spots on UBC’s side of the court, helping them with regaining the lead.

The LEC erupted in cheers when UBC missed a reception and the Spartans got their 25th point of the set. Loud drums, a sea of white jumping up and down, the student section went crazy after the Spartans won the third set.

With 15 kills, Sienna Driedger won player of the game for the Spartans. TWU will face the University of Alberta Pandas in the semifinals.

Catch the game on March 14 at 6 P.M. at the Langley Events Centre.