Spartans edge Thunderbirds to reach U SPORTS women’s volleyball semifinal
Sienna Driedger delivered a dominant offensive performance to lead the Trinity Western Spartans past the UBC Thunderbirds 3-0 in the fourth quarterfinal of the 2026 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship, presented by Booster Juice, on Friday at the Langley Events Centre.
Trinity Western claimed the match 33-31, 26-24, 25-22 to advance to Saturday’s national semifinal at 6 p.m.
Driedger, named Trinity Western’s player of the game, led all attackers with 15 kills while hitting an impressive .609. The outside hitter also added eight digs as the Spartans held off several late pushes from UBC in a tightly contested match.
The opening set proved to be the most dramatic, with the teams trading points throughout a marathon frame that featured multiple lead changes. UBC held a brief advantage late before Trinity Western regrouped and closed the set with back-to-back points to take a 1-0 lead.
The second set followed a similar script. The Thunderbirds stayed within striking distance behind the attacking of Lucy Borowski, but the Spartans capitalized on key plays down the stretch to secure a narrow 26-24 win.
UBC again battled early in the third, briefly building a small lead before Trinity Western mounted a decisive run midway through the set. Driedger delivered several timely kills during the stretch to help the Spartans maintain control before sealing the sweep.
Setter Tayana Dmitruk directed the Trinity Western offence with 28 assists, while Kaylee Plouffe added eight kills and three service aces for the Spartans.
Borowski led UBC with 17 kills and 15 digs, while setter Issy Robertshaw, the Thunderbirds’ player of the game, recorded 43 assists and two service aces.
With the win, Trinity Western moves on to Saturday’s semifinal at 6 p.m., while UBC drops to the consolation bracket and will return to action at 2 p.m. Saturday.
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UBC: Issy Robertshaw
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Trinity Western: Sienna Driedger
