LANGLEY, B.C. – The Langley Events Centre has always been a tough place to play and the Trinity Western Spartans showed exactly why Friday night.
 
The home side picked up a straight sets victory in the first semi-final of the Canada West Final Four, with set scores of 25-18, 25-20, 25-20.
 
Trinity's offense was established early in the first set. Tough serves and solid defensive play allowed conference player of the year Derek Epp to find a rhythm. Trinity jumped to a lead and despite a late push from the Bobcats and a few errors on the Spartan side, the home team hung on for a 25-18 win.
 
The teams traded blows early in the second, until a kill from Trinity's Brodie Hofer set the tone for the Spartans to go on a 6-1 run and take control of the set.
 
The third started much the same, as the largest lead came late at 20-16 for Trinity. The Bobcats wouldn't back down however, keeping the final frame close until the end.
 
Mathias Elser led the Spartans with 15 kills while Hofer finished with eight kills and nine digs.
 
Epp finished with a match-high 31 assists while Jackson Howe had seven kills and six blocks.
 
The Bobcats were led by Philipp Lauter's team-high seven kills.
 
The Spartans book a spot in U SPORTS nationals next weekend with the win and the chance to earn the Canada West crown on home court. Trinity will take on the winner of the second semi-final between the Alberta Golden Bears and Calgary Dinos.
 
The Bobcats will play the loser of that match in Saturday's bronze medal match with a shot at advancing to nationals on the line.