A big win was needed and Winnipeg got one. The University of Winnipeg Wesmen defeated the No. 2 ranked Trinity Western University Spartans 3-1 (20-25, 25-22, 29-27, 25-22) Friday night in the opening match of a weekend series at the Duckworth Centre in Winnipeg.

The win extends Winnipeg's winning streak to three and pushes their record to 13-9 and in sixth spot in the conference standings. The Spartans with the loss sit at 18-3 and remain in second place.

Fourth year outside hitter David Bommersbach led the attack for the Wesmen finishing with a team high 17 kills to go along with seven digs. Fourth year outside hitter Casey Schouten was serving bullets all night, finishing with seven service aces and was also pretty good on the attacking front finishing with 15 kills. First year outside Ethan Duncan was a monster at the net finishing with five solo blocks. Second year setter Mikael Clegg finished with 42 assists and three solo blocks.

The Spartans were led by Blake Scheerhoorn's match high 18 kills. Fifth year outside Ryan Sclater was next with 16 kills and two blocks. First year outside Eric Loeppky finished with 14 kills and seven digs. Setter Adam Schriemer had 41 assists in the match.

The visiting Spartans gained the early momentum taking a 16-14 lead at the technical timeout of the opening set. The Spartans used timely kills to take the first set by a margin of 25-20.

Winnipeg came out on fire in the second set. Casey Schouten served up four consecutive aces to pace the Wesmen to an 8-0 lead. A Spartans service error soon after gave the Wesmen a 16-10 lead at the technical break. Winnieg carried leads of 21-18 and 23-21 until a Loeppky kill cut the Wesmen lead to 24-22. Winnipeg evend up the match on a David Bommersbach kill to take the second set 25-22.

In the third set Winnipeg jumped out to a 10-7 lead but the Spartans came back on three kills by Loeppky to tie the set at 10-10. The Spartans carried the momentum to the technical timeout leading 16-14. A 5-0 run by the Wesmen put them ahead 20-18. The teams exchanged points and after seven tie scores late in the set, the last being 27-27. A pair of Ethan Duncan blocks helped the Wesmen take the set 29-27.

Winnipeg once again relied on a quick start in the fourth set. The Wesmen led 4-1 early on and went into the technical break leading 16-12. Winnipeg held a three point plus advantage for a good portion of the set to 24-21. A Sclater block cut the Wesmen lead to 24-22 but Winnipeg closed out the set on a kill by Bommersbach to win the fourth set 25-22 to take the match in four sets.

Winnipeg and Trinity Western will wrap up their series on Saturday night. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.