UNB to face Trinity Western in men's volleyball matches

The University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds sure didn't pick an easy opponent to tip off the 2010-11 men's volleyball season.

Last year's Canadian Interuniversity Sport silver medallists, the Trinity Western Spartans of Langley, B.C., will be at the UNB main gym to take on the V-Reds in a pair of exhibition matches.

The teams meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.

"They were young last year and everybody is returning," UNB head coach Dan McMorran said of the Spartans. "Judging by early exhibition results, they're on top of their game right now. Talking with some of my colleagues out there, they'll come out ranked number one in the first top 10 poll."

This is the second straight year the V-Reds have hosted an East vs. West matchup, as last year they brought in the University of British Columbia for two matches.

"We want to continue to try to bring in a top team from Canada West every year, and showcase that level of volleyball," McMorran said. "We've basically just had some split-squad matches. Our guys wouldn't have minded having a few more matches underneath our belts, but we've got quite a competitive group here this year."

McMorran is carrying 17 players, including three who will red-shirt this season. "We've got a lot of depth and a lot of size," he said.

Six-foot-nine Jacob Kilpatrick (Saint John, NB) and six-foot-eight John Sheehan (New Maryland, NB), starting their fifth and four years respectively, will start in the middle.

Kyle Blanchard is back for his fourth year but in a new position, libero.

Julio Fernandez (Los Teques, Venezuela), a second-year student from Venezuela, and third-year Matt Sweet (O'Leary, PEI) will vie for starting time on the left side while six-foot-seven Tyler Veenhuis (South Branch, NS) is back for his fifth season on the right side.

Stephane Fontaine (New Maryland, NB) and Andrew Costa (Summerside, PEI) are in a closely contested battle to be the starting setter.

"They're both very talented setters," McMorran said. "If I had to start tomorrow, it might be Stephane but Andrew is really pushing him."