Box Score LANGLEY, B.C. – Despite a high scoring first set, the UBCO Heat men's volleyball team fell to the No. 1-ranked Trinity Western Spartans in straight sets on Saturday night 34-32, 25-21 and 25-17.
In the highest scoring set for both teams this season, the Heat would lead the game by as man as five points until the Spartans tied it up at 16 a piece after the media timeout. From there, the two teams were locked in a tight back and forth battle, trading single point leads until the Spartans went on a three-point run to close out the first set 34-32.
The second set would be a similar story as the two squads kept each other in check, not allowing the other to pull away further than a three-point lead until the mid point of the set. The Spartans went on a three-point run to put them up 19-14. The Heat were able to put a damper on the hosting squad, closing the gap to a one-point deficit as Caleb Funk of Strathmore, Alta., contributed three consecutive points for UBCO.
Despite the Heat's push back, the Spartans would once again go on a three-point run to secure the second set, 25-21.
Moving into the third set, the Heat were unable to tip the scales in their favour as they trailed the Spartans through the entire set. UBCO would come close to finding the lead when they tied it up at 10-10 and then again at 13-13 but ultimately could not put a stop to the top ranked Spartans, falling 25-17.
With a .857 hitting percent, Tsawwassen, B.C. product, Teo Ardanaz would lead the Heat's efforts, contributing six kills and six blocks for a total 10 points. Max Heppell (Langley, B.C.) would further Ardanaz's efforts, finishing with nine points thanks to his seven kills, six digs, and two blocks.
For the Spartans, Brodie Hofer led the charge, totalling 20 points from his 17 kills, seven digs, and two blocks, followed by Jordan Schnitzer who added 13.5 points with 10 kills, two digs, and five blocks.
The Heat will be back in Kelowna this coming weekend as they are set to face the TRU WolfPack at The Furnace. The President's Cup action is set to start at 8 p.m. on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday with tickets available for purchase at the door.
