In a battle for third spot, it was the Trinity Western Spartans men鈥檚 volleyball team coming out victorious.

The Spartans were hosting the Manitoba Bisons at the 91原创 Events Centre, with both teams sporting identical 11-5 records.

Trinity Western (13-5) lost the first set on Friday, but came back to win the next six straight.

They won 3-1 (22-25,25-20,25-14,25-20) and 3-0 (25-17,25-17,28-26).

鈥淚 thought the first two sets were really smooth,鈥� said Spartans coach Ben Josephson, following Saturday鈥檚 victory. 鈥淲e just made some really dumb errors at key times to allow the game to stay a little tighter in the middle section.

鈥淏ut we had good runs and separated when we needed to (and) I thought it was a pretty good game compared to yesterday鈥檚 game.鈥�

The team鈥檚 ability to pass the ball better opened things up offensively and they were also able to spread their attack across the court.

Rudy Verhoeff finished with 14 kills and Josh Doornenbal had a 52.6 per cent attacking rate. Marc Howatson also came through with 15 digs and five service aces.

The team started slowly on Friday before finding its rhythm.

鈥淢anitoba had a good game plan that was picking on a couple of the weaknesses we have but a couple of guys off the bench gave us huge sparks and helped change some stuff up,鈥� Josephson said.

鈥淎nd then some of the starters picked up their game and the next thing you know, we were really rolling.鈥�

Ben Ball finished the match with 50 set assists, while Jarrod Offeriens had 17 digs and Lucas Van Berkel had nine blocks.

Van Berkel was named the Canada West male athlete of the week for his efforts.

The third-place finish in league play means the Spartans, ranked fourth in Canada, will host the sixth-place Thompson Rivers WolfPack (9-9) in a best-of-three series at the 91原创 Events Centre. The games are Thursday and Friday, both at 8 p.m.. and if necessary, Saturday at 7 p.m.

The teams traded five-set victories back in early November.

The winner travels to Edmonton the following weekend for the Canada West final four championships.

The Spartans are guaranteed a spot at next month鈥檚 Canadian Interuniversity Sport national championships as the host team.