Trinity Western outlasts UBC in five sets to capture eighth Tantramar Trophy
March 15, 2026

Trinity Western outlasts UBC in five sets to capture eighth Tantramar Trophy

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The Trinity Western Spartans are back on top of Canadian university men’s volleyball.
 
Trinity Western captured its eighth national championship on Sunday night, defeating the UBC Thunderbirds 3-2 (25-22, 15-25, 26-24, 11-25, 15-8) in the gold-medal match at the 2026 BioSteel U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championship at the Toldo Lancer Centre.
 
The Spartans finish the season with a 24-3 record (17-3 Canada West) and reclaim the Tantramar Trophy after a thrilling five-set battle between two of the nation’s perennial powers.
 
UBC, which entered the match with an identical 24-2 record and a Canada West-best 19-1 mark, settles for silver — the program’s third national runner-up finish and ninth medal overall.
 
Trinity Western struck first in the opening set, riding a powerful offensive start behind Kaden Schmidt and Piers De Greeff. The Spartans hit an impressive .625 in the set and held off a late UBC push to take a 25-22 victory.
 
The Thunderbirds responded emphatically in the second. Strong serving and balanced offence helped UBC build a comfortable lead before cruising to a 25-15 win to level the match at one set apiece.
 
The third set proved pivotal. In a tightly contested frame that featured 14 ties and several lead changes, Trinity Western edged UBC 26-24, capitalizing on key late points from Schmidt and De Greeff to regain the lead.
 
But UBC refused to go quietly. The Thunderbirds dominated the fourth set, jumping out to a commanding advantage and forcing a deciding fifth with a convincing 25-11 victory.
 
In the decisive set, however, the Spartans seized control early. Trinity Western raced out to an 8-1 lead and never looked back, eventually closing out the championship with a 15-8 win.
 
Schmidt led the Spartans with 24 kills, while De Greeff added 21 as Trinity Western recorded 61 team kills in the victory. Setter Anselm Rein orchestrated the offence with 47 assists and was named tournament MVP.
 
UBC was paced by Reeve Gingera with 14 kills, while Gavin Moes added 10. Middle Alex Emery contributed eight kills and a match-high 10 total blocks, while setter Mason Greves recorded 37 assists and earned player-of-the-match honours for the Thunderbirds.
 
For Trinity Western, Schmidt was named the Spartans’ player of the match after a dominant offensive performance in the title-clinching victory.
 
With the win, the Spartans add another chapter to one of the most decorated programs in U SPORTS men’s volleyball history, while UBC leaves Windsor with another national medal following a season that saw the Thunderbirds dominate much of the Canada West campaign.
 
MIKASA PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
UBC — Mason Greves
Trinity Western — Kaden Schmidt
CHAMPIONSHIP MVP
Anselm Rein — Trinity Western
 
CHAMPIONSHIP ALL-STARS
Anselm Rein — Trinity Western
Kaden Schmidt — Trinity Western
Tate Calles — Trinity Western
Dawson Pratt — UBC
Mason Greves — UBC
Jordon Heppner — Manitoba
Gustavo Siqueira — Windsor
 
R.W. PUGH FAIR PLAY AWARD
Western Mustangs