Trinity Western Spartans men's volleyball

Last updated
Trinity Western Spartans
TWU Spartans PMS 288 123.CMYK.vertical.png
Founded1999-2000
University Trinity Western University
Athletic directorJeff Gamache
Head coachAdam Schriemer
Conference Canada West
Location Langley, British Columbia
Home arena Langley Events Centre
ColoursBlue and Gold
   
U Sports championships
2006, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2023
Canada West championships
2007, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022

The Trinity Western Spartans men's volleyball team is a university varsity volleyball program in Canada that represents Trinity Western University, competing in the Canada West Universities Athletics Association of U Sports. [1] [2] Based out of Langley, British Columbia, the Spartans play their home games at the Langley Events Centre, a multi-sport facility close to the main campus. Led by then head coach Ron Pike, the Spartans won their first ever National Championship in 2006, defeating the University of Alberta Golden Bears in the final by a score of 3–0. Since then, the Spartans have won six more championships, for a total of seven, hoisting the Tantramar Trophy again in 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2023. The Spartans were led by head coach Ben Josephson from 2007 to 2022 before he took over as the head coach for Canada's men's volleyball program. Adam Schriemer is now the head coach. In the Canada West conference, the Spartans have won the league title seven times, taking the conference championship in 2007, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2022.

Contents

History

Ron Pike era

From 1999 to 2007, Ron Pike led the Spartans men's volleyball team into a new era of competition, as Trinity Western University joined the Canada West conference in 1999. Pike led the program to their first ever post-season berth in 2002, and the program's first ever post-season series win in 2004. That same year, 2003–04, the Spartans earned their first ever national championship berth and went on to win the bronze medal at the national tournament. The following season, Pike led the Spartans to their first national championship final, eventually losing to the Alberta Golden Bears. The following season, 2005–06, the Spartans won the men's volleyball program's first ever National Championship, beating Alberta in straight sets. [3]

During his eight seasons of coaching in Canada West, Pike amassed a total record of 102–92, winning four Canada West medals and three national championship medals.

On two occasions, athletes under Ron Pike were nominated for the BLG Award (now known as the Lieutenant Governor Athletic Award) as the top male athlete across all Canadian university sports. Chris Meehan was nominated in 2005-2006 and Josh Howatson was nominated in 2006–07. [4] Howatson would go on to win the BLG award, the school's first ever recipient of this honour. That season, Howatson also captured the program's first ever National Player of the Year award. [4]

Ben Josephson era

TWU crowned the 2019 National Champions Trinity western08 banner.jpg
TWU crowned the 2019 National Champions

Josephson was the Spartans head coach from 2007 to 2022, after being an assistant coach from 2004 to 2007. Building upon the championship foundation laid by Ron Pike, Josephson took the program to new heights as he guided TWU to five national championships, winning in 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2019. Josephson has also led the Spartans to six Canada West championships, winning in 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2022, which includes TWU's current run of 10 straight appearances in the conference final.

During Josephson's tenure, the program produced six U Sports Player of the Year award winners, including Ben Ball (2011–12), Nick Del Bianco (2014–15), Ryan Sclater (2016–17), Adam Schriemer (2016–17), Eric Loeppky (2019–20) and Derek Epp (2021-22). [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] The Spartans have also had two winners of the U Sports Rookie of the Year award, with Adam Schriemer winning in 2013–14 and Eric Loeppky winning in 2016–17. [11] [12] With Josephson at the helm, the Spartans had three players nominated for the BLG Award, with Ben Ball nominated in 2011–2012, Ryan Sclater nominated in 2016–17 and Derek Epp nominated in 2021-22. [4] The program has also produced six Olympians, as men's volleyball alumni Rudy Verhoeff, Steve Marshall, Daniel Jansen Van Doorn, Lucas Van Berkel and Ryan Sclater have represented Canada's national indoor volleyball team, and Chaim Schalk has represented Canada's beach volleyball team. [13]

Over his career with TWU, Josephson was named both the Canada West Coach of the Year and U Sports Coach of the Year four times, in 2011–12, 2013–14, 2019–2020 and 2021-22. [9] Before moving to the sidelines, Josephson was a stand-out player for the Spartans from 1998 to 2003 and, in his final year, earned the school's first ever All-Canadian award while, in that same year, also being named a Canada West First Team All-Star.

International competition

The Spartans have competed several times against international competition, including representing Canada five times - at the FIVB Club World Championships in 2011, the 2012 Men's U23 Pan-American Volleyball Cup, the 2018 FISU America Games, the 2019 CAN-AM Holiday Showcase, and the 2021 Pan American Cup.

2011 FIVB Club World Championship

TWU competing at the 2011 FIVB Men's Club World Championships 2011 FIVB Roster - TWU Spartans.jpg
TWU competing at the 2011 FIVB Men's Club World Championships

The Spartans travelled to Doha, Qatar in 2011 after being invited to take part in the FIVB Men's Club World Championships. The Spartans were the North American representatives for the 2011 edition of the tournament. The annual tournament features many of the top professional club teams in the world. The Spartans finished that tournament with a 1–2 record, with a win over Iranian champion Paykan Tehran and losses to Russia's Zenit Kazan and Poland's KS Jastrzebski Wegiel. [14]

2012 Men's U23 Pan-American Volleyball Cup

In 2012, the Spartans were awarded the chance to represent Canada for the U23 Pan American Men's Volleyball Cup. [15] The matches were played at the Langley Events Centre, home of the Spartans. In round robin play, the Spartans finished with two wins and two losses. They finished fourth overall at the tournament, earning wins over the Dominican Republic and Mexico in round robin play before losing to Brazil in the semifinal, and the Dominican Republic in the bronze medal match.

2018 FISU America Games

The Spartans represented Canada again in 2018 at the inaugural FISU America Games in São Paulo, Brazil. The FISU America Games is a Pan American branch of the FISU World University Games. At the tournament, the Spartans finished with a 1–1 record in pool play. They lost 3–0 to Brazil in the semifinals but went on to beat Mexico 3–2 in the bronze medal match. [16]

2019 CAN-AM Holiday Showcase

In 2019, the Spartans competed in the inaugural CAN-AM Holiday Showcase. The CAN-AM Volleyball Holiday Showcase featured four Canadian teams, with the University of Alberta, McMaster University and Ryerson University joining TWU against then two-time defending NCAA champions Long Beach State University, as well as UCLA, Lewis University and Ohio State University. TWU went a perfect 3-0 during the course of the tournament, beating Long Beach State, UCLA, and Lewis. [17] The tournament was the first time since 2010 that the Spartans had played NCAA competition.

2021 Pan American Cup

The Spartans represented Canada at the 2021 Pan American Cup in the Dominican Republic, winning a silver medal. The Spartans finished with a 5-2 overall record, earning wins over Mexico, Dominican Republic (2), Puerto Rico and Suriname. TWU beat the Dominican Republic 3-0 in the semifinals before falling to Mexico in three sets in the gold medal match.

Venues and facilities

Fans storm the court at the LEC as TWU captures the 2011 National Championship in front of the home crowd TWU VB Champions 2011.jpg
Fans storm the court at the LEC as TWU captures the 2011 National Championship in front of the home crowd

From 1999 to 2009 the Spartans competed at the David E. Enarson Gymnasium on the Trinity Westerns University campus. During the 2010 season, the Spartans and the Spartan Faithful transitioned to the Langley Events Centre (LEC), a multi-purpose facility in the Township of Langley, which is also the home of TWU's basketball, hockey, and rugby teams. Because of the Spartans success and passionate fan base, the LEC has become one of the hardest gyms in the conference for opposing teams to play in. The Spartans men's volleyball program has hosted the National Championship tournament once, in 2011, which was hosted at the Langley Events Centre. That year, the Spartans captured the program's second national championship.

National Player of the Year

Members of the TWU men's volleyball program have been awarded the National Player of the Year Award on seven different occasions.

YearPlayerRecord
2021-2022Derek EppSetter
2019-2020Eric LoeppkyOutside hitter
2017-2018 Adam Schriemer Setter
2016-2017 Ryan Sclater Outside hitter
2014-2015Nick Del BiancoOutside hitter
2011-2012Ben BallSetter
2006-2007 Josh Howatson Setter

National Coach of the Year

YearCoachRecord
2021-2022Ben Josephson15-1
2019-2020Ben Josephson25-3
2013-2014Ben Josephson23-4
2011-2012Ben Josephson24-1
2004-2005Ron Pike19-8

Other major award winners

AwardPlayerYear
National Rookie of the YearEric Loeppky

Adam Schriemer

Chris Meehan

2016-2017

2013-2014

2001-2002

Dale Iwanoczko Award

(Outstanding Student-Athlete)

Rudy Verhoeff

Josh Howatson

2011-2012

2006-2007

Libero of the Year*Jarrod Offereins2011-2012
National Championship Tournament MVPEric Loeppky

Adam Schriemer

Blake Scheerhoorn

Ben Ball

Rudy Verhoeff

Chris Meehan

2018-2019

2016-2017

2015-2016

2011-2012

2010-2011

2005-2006

* denotes award no longer given

U Sports All-Canadians

All-Canadian TeamsYearPlayer
1st Team2021-2022
Brodie Hofer

Derek Epp

2019-2020Eric Loeppky

Derek Epp

2018-2019Eric Loeppky
2017-2018Adam Schriemer

Eric Loeppky

2016-2017Ryan Sclater
2014-2015Nick Del Bianco
2013-2014Lucas Van Berkel
2012-2013Nick Del Bianco
2011-2012Ben Ball

Rudy Verhoeff

2006-2007Josh Howatson
2005-2006Josh Howatson

Chris Meehan

2003-2004Chris Meehan
2nd Team2018-2019Jacob Kern
2013-2014Nick Del Bianco
2010-2011Rudy Verhoeff
2008-2009Chaim Schalk
2006-2007Steve Rogalsky
2004-2005Steve Rogalsky
2002-2003Ben Josephson

Lieutenant Governor Athletic Awards

Athletes from the men's volleyball program have been nominated on four separate occasions for the Lieutenant Governor Athletic Award (formerly known as the BLG Award), which is given annually to top male and female athletes across all Canadian universities. Chris Meehan was nominated in 2005–2006, Josh Howatson was nominated in 2006–07, Ben Ball was nominated in 2011–2012, Ryan Sclater was nominated in 2016–17 and Derek Epp was nominated in 2021-22. [18] Howatson went on to win the award as the top Male Athlete in Canada in 2006–07. [4]

Canada West regular season records

YearRecordFinishConference Playoff Finish
1999-005-175th*Did not Qualify
2000-016-165th*Did not Qualify
2001-028-124th*Quarterfinals
2002-039-115thQuarterfinals
2003-0412-84thQuarterfinals
2004-0514-62nd*Silver
2005-0616-42nd*Silver
2006-0713-53rdGold
2007-088-107thQuarterfinals
2008-0911-73rdQuarterfinals
2009-1011-74thSilver
2010-1113-53rdBronze
2011-1219-11stGold
2012-1316-62ndSilver
2013-1420-21stSilver
2014-1520-42ndSilver
2015-1614-106thGold
2016-1721-32ndGold
2017-1822-21stGold
2018-1918-42ndSilver
2019-2020-21stGold
2021-2215-11stGold
2022-2318-63rdSilver

*- denotes divisional finish

Postseason history

Canada West playoffs results

Since beginning Canada West competition in the 1999–2000 season, the program has medalled 15 times, including every year from 2010 to 2020, as well as reaching the conference championship match from 2012 to 2020. To date, the program has captured a total of six conference championships which includes: 2007, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020.

SeasonRoundOpponentsResultMedal
2000Did not Qualify
2001Did not Qualify
2002CW Quarterfinal SeriesCalgaryL 2-0 (0-3, 0–3)
2003CW Quarterfinal SeriesManitobaL 2-0 (0-3, 1–3)
2004CW Semifinal

CW Bronze Match

Manitoba

Alberta

L 3-1

L 3-0

Bronze
2005CW Quarterfinal Series

CW Semifinal

CW Championship Final

Winnipeg

Saskatchewan

Alberta

W 2-0 (3-0, 3–1)

W 3-2

L 3-1

Silver
2006CW Quarterfinal Series

CW Semifinal

CW Championship Final

Winnipeg

Saskatchewan

Alberta

W 2-0 (3-1, 3–1)

W 3-0

L 3-0

Silver
2007CW Quarterfinal Series

CW Semifinal

CW Championship Final

Saskatchewan

Winnipeg

UBC

W 2-0 (3-0, 3–0)

W 3-2

W 3-1

Gold
2008CW Quarterfinal SeriesWinnipegL 2-0 (0-3, 0–3)
2009CW Quarterfinal SeriesThompson RiversL 2-1 (2-3, 3–1, 2–3)
2010CW Quarterfinal Series

CW Semifinal

CW Championship Final

Winnipeg

Calgary

Alberta

W 2-1 (3-1, 0–3, 3–0)

W 3-2

L 3-2

Silver
2011CW Quarterfinal Series

CW Semifinal

CW Bronze

Thompson Rivers

Calgary

Alberta

W 2-0 (3-0, 3–0)

L 3-2

W 3-1

Bronze
2012CW Semifinal

CW Championship Final

Calgary

Manitoba

W 3-0

W 3-2

Gold
2013CW Quarterfinal Series

CW Semifinal

CW Championship

Winnipeg

UBC

Brandon

W 2-0 (3-0, 3–2)

W 3-2

L 3-1

Silver
2014CW Semifinal

CW Championship Final

Brandon

Alberta

W 3-1

L 3-0

Silver
2015CW Quarterfinal Series

CW Semifinal

CW Championship Final

Thompson Rivers

Brandon

Alberta

W 2-0 (3-1, 3–0)

W 3-1

L 3-1

Silver
2016CW Quarterfinal Series

CW Semifinal

CW Championship Final

Calgary

Alberta

Saskatchewan

W 2-1 (1-3, 3–0, 3–1)

W 3-0

W 3-1

Gold
2017CW Quarterfinal Series

CW Semifinal

CW Championship Final

Winnipeg

Alberta

Manitoba

W 2-0 (3-0, 3–0)

W 3-2

W 3-2

Gold
2018CW Quarterfinal Series

CW Semifinal Series

CW Championship Final

Thompson Rivers

Winnipeg

Alberta

W 2-0 (3-1, 3–1)

W 2-0 (3-0, 3–0)

W 3-1

Gold
2019CW Quarterfinal Series

CW Semifinal Series

CW Championship Final

UBC

Thompson Rivers

Brandon

W 2-1 (3-0, 2–3, 3–0)

W 2-0 (3-1, 3–0)

L 3-2

Silver
2020CW Quarterfinal Series

CW Semifinal Series

CW Championship Final

Mount Royal

Brandon

Alberta

W 2-0 (3-0, 3–0)

W 2-1 (3-0, 2–3, 3–1)

W 3-0

Gold
2022CW Pool A, Game 1

CW Pool A, Game 4

Pool A, Game 6

Pool D, Game 1

Pool D, Game 3

CW Semifinal

CW Championship Final

Thompson Rivers

Mount Royal

Brandon

Saskatchewan

Calgary

Brandon

Alberta

W 3-0

W 3-0

W 3-2

W 3-0

W 3-0

W 3-0

W 3-1

Gold

U Sports Championship Tournament results

The men's volleyball program reached the national championship tournament for the first time in program history in 2004 where they earned the bronze medal. In total, the program has won 12 national tournament medals, which included a run of five straight years in which the Spartans won either a gold or silver medal (2015-2019). The program has captured the National Championship six times, including in 2006, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2019. Heading into the 2020 National Championship, the Spartans earned the number one seed having captured the Canada West Championship and a league-best record of 20–2, but were unable to compete for their fourth championship in five years when the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. [19]

SeasonRoundOpponentsResultMedal
2000Did not Qualify
2001Did not Qualify
2002Did not Qualify
2003Did not Qualify
2004CIS Quarterfinal

CIS Semifinal

CIS Bronze

Laval

Saskatchewan

Manitoba

W 3-1

L 3-0

W 3-1

Bronze
2005CIS Quarterfinal

CIS Semifinal

CIS Championship Final

York

Saskatchewan

Alberta

W 3-1

W 3-0

L 3-2

Silver
2006CIS Quarterfinal

CIS Semifinal

CIS Championship Final

Queen's

Manitoba

Alberta

W 3-0

W 3-2

W 3-0

Gold
2007CIS Quarterfinal

CIS Semifinal

CIS Bronze

McMaster

Alberta

UBC

W 3-2

L 3-2

W 3-0

Bronze
2008Did not Qualify
2009Did not Qualify
2010CIS Quarterfinal

CIS Semifinal

CIS Championship Final

Queen's

Laval

Calgary

W 3-0

W 3-2

L 3-1

Silver
2011CIS Quarterfinal

CIS Semifinal

CIS Championship Final

Alberta

Calgary

Brandon

W 3-2

W 3-2

W 3-0

Gold
2012CIS Quarterfinal

CIS Semifinal

CIS Championship Final

Dalhousie

Queen's

Laval

W 3-0

W 3-0

W 3-1

Gold
2013CIS Quarterfinal

CIS Consolation Semifinal

CIS Consolation Final

Western

UNB

Alberta

L 3-2

W 3-2

L 3-1

2014CIS Quarterfinal

CIS Consolation Semifinal

CIS Consolation Final

Western

Calgary

Dalhousie

L 3-2

W 3-1

W 3-1

2015CIS Quarterfinal

CIS Semifinal

CIS Championship Final

Laval

McMaster

Alberta

W 3-0

W 3-1

L 3-0

Silver
2016CIS Quarterfinal

CIS Semifinal

CIS Championship Final

Ryerson

Alberta

McMaster

W 3-1

W 3-2

W 3-1

Gold
2017U Sports Quarterfinal

U Sports Semifinal

U Sports Championship Final

Waterloo

McMaster

Alberta

W 3-0

W 3-1

W 3-1

Gold
2018U Sports Quarterfinal

U Sports Semifinal

U Sports Championship Final

Windsor

McMaster

UBC

W 3-1

W 3-1

L 3-0

Silver
2019U Sports Quarterfinal

U Sports Semifinal

U Sports Championship Final

McMaster

Laval

Brandon

W 3-1

W 3-2

W 3-0

Gold
2020Cancelled (COVID-19)
2021Cancelled (COVID-19)
2022U Sports Quarterfinal

U Sports Semifinal

U Sports Championship Final

Manitoba

Sherbrooke

Alberta

W 3-0

W 3-0

L 3-1

Silver

Record vs. Canada West opponents

All-time series record includes conference matches and postseason results from 1999 to 2020.

Canada West OpponentOverall RecordConference Record
Alberta Golden Bears30-5713-39
Brandon Bobcats24-1518-10
Calgary Dinos44-2735-23
MacEwan Griffins12-012-0
Manitoba Bisons26-2122-18
Mount Royal Cougars19-414-2
Regina Cougars37-137-1
Saskatchewan Huskies37-1932-14
Thompson Rivers Wolfpack54-1327-5
UBC Okanagan Heat32-118-0
UBC Thunderbirds52-2340-16
Winnipeg Wesmen41-1830-12

Spartans representing Team Canada

MVB Alum Marshall, Sclater, Van Berkel and Jansen Van Doorn (left to right) representing Canada in 2020. Mvb for canada.jpg
MVB Alum Marshall, Sclater, Van Berkel and Jansen Van Doorn (left to right) representing Canada in 2020.

TWU has seen may athletes go on to compete for the senior national team, both in beach volleyball and indoor volleyball at several levels including the Canadian youth national team, junior national team, FISU Summer Games Team, senior national ‘B’ team, senior national team, and Canadian beach national team. The Spartans have also had four athletes compete at the Olympic Summer Games, with Daniel Jansen Van Doorn (indoor), Steven Marshall (indoor), Rudy Verhoeff (indoor), and Chaim Schalk (beach) representing Team Canada at the 2016 Rio Olympics. [13]

Four Spartans helped team Canada qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (postponed to 2021), with Steven Marshall, Ryan Sclater, Lucas Van Berkel, and Daniel Jansen Van Doorn contributing to the team's qualification in January 2020 in Vancouver, BC. [20]

Senior National Team AthletesJosh Howatson, Steven Marshall, Dan Jansen Van Doorn, Derek Epp

Ryan Sclater, Doug Van Spronsen, Rudy Verhoeff, Lucas Van Berkel,

Chris Meehan, Blake Scheerhoorn, Adam Schriemer, Eric Loeppky, Brodie Hofer

Mathias Elser, Jesse Elser, Pearce Eshenko, Jackson Howe

Junior National Team Athletes
Josh Doornenbal, Rudy Verhoeff, Marc Howatson, Josh Howatson,

Chris Meehan, Justin Pankratz, Jeff Lindemulder, Mark Huberts,

Chris Roy, Steve Rogalsky, Doug Van Spronsen, Lucas Van Berkel,

Brad Kufske, Brandon Schmidt, Derek Thiessen, Tyler Koslowsky,

Adam Schriemer, Blake Scheerhoorn, Jacob Kern, Pearce Eshenko,

Jesse Elser, Eric Loeppky, Brodie Hofer, Mathias Elser

TWU Spartans professional volleyball careers

Several athletes from the men's volleyball program have gone on to play professionally in leagues around Europe and the rest of the world.

Media

Trinity Western Spartan men's volleyball matches in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association conference can be seen live on www.Canadawest.tv.

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The 2022 U Sports Men's Volleyball Championship was held March 25–27, 2022, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to determine a national champion for the 2021–22 U Sports men's volleyball season. The third-seeded Alberta Golden Bears defeated the top-seeded Trinity Western Spartans in a re-match of the Canada West Championship game as the Golden Bears won the ninth national championship in program history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 U Sports Men's Volleyball Championship</span> Canadian university volleyball championship

The 2023 U Sports Men's Volleyball Championship was the 56th edition of the U Sports men's volleyball championship, a postseason tournament to determine the national champion of the 2023 U Sports men's volleyball season. The tournament started on March 17 and ended with the bronze-medal and championship games being played on March 19 in Hamilton, Ontario.

The TMU Bold women's basketball team represents Toronto Metropolitan University in the Ontario University Athletics conference of U Sports women's basketball. The Rams have won one national championship following their victory in the 2022 tournament.

References

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