Spartans pushed to limit by UNBers in v'ball

University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds pushed last year's national silver medal-winning Trinity Western Spartans of Langley, B.C. to the full five sets before losing 15-11 in the deciding set in exhibition university men's volleyball action at the UNB main gym.

The two teams will play again tonight beginning at 7:30 at the main gym.

The Dan McMorran-coached V-Reds, who have been a perennial bridesmaid to Dalhousie Tigers in Atlantic Conference play, set the stage for last night's dramatics with a 27-25 victory in the opening set.

Trinity, ranked No. 1 in the country heading into this season, rebounded with a 25-17 win in the second set and took a 2-1 edge by virtue of a 27-25 win in the third set. However, UNB forced the fifth set with a 25-23 win in the fourth set.

Leading the way for Trinity Western was Rudy Verhoeff with 25 kills. Nicholas Del Blanco and Joshua Doornenbal each added 15 kills for the winners. Verhoeff was named player of the match.

Leading the way for UNB were Matt Sweet, Julio Fernandez and Tyler Veenhuis each with 15 kills. Jacob Kilpatrick added 10 kills for the V-Reds.

Regular-season action for UNB begins Oct. 29 when it travels to Laval University in Quebec City for interlocking matches against teams from the Quebec Conference