WolfPack face high-end competition in Lower Mainland

KAMLOOPS – Five games in the Lower Mainland were on tap this past week for a Thompson Rivers WolfPack men’s volleyball team that continues to build throughout their preseason slate.
 
The WolfPack earned a pair of ties in the six games they played against the: UBC Thunderbirds, Trinity Western Spartans and Douglas College Royals – although the weekend was much more about growing as a team than it was results on the court.
 
“Overall it was a good weekend of exhibition play with the whole roster getting an opportunity to play,” said WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly.
 
Day 1: TRU 1, UBC 1 & TRU 2, UBC 2
 
The first day saw TRU and UBC split their squads with ‘starters’ on one court and the rest of the squad on another. Both matches ended in a tie as the teams shared the spoils in Vancouver.
 
“Overall very pleased with the level of play and intensity,” said Hennelly.
 
Day 2: Douglas 3, TRU 2 (19-25, 23-25, 25-19, 26-24, 10-25)
 
A slow start to the match against Douglas doomed TRU despite a valiant comeback effort with the ‘Pack picking up their play at the halfway point of the second set.

Ethan Olfert came into the match in the third set and did well en route to 18 assists, two blocks and three digs. Rookie Aiden Goetz was the top scorer with 16 kills, three blocks and one ace.
 
TWU 3, TRU 0 (21-25, 22-25, 32-34)
 
Next up for the ‘Pack was a game against the Spartans of Trinity Western. Despite the 3-0 scoreline, TRU was in the thick of it for all three sets and just barely lost out in a marathon third frame.
 
Gavin Margerison entered the match in the second set and made an immediate impact from the service line for the ‘Pack. The product of Kelowna ended with four kills, two blocks to go along with two aces. Sam Elgert had five kills on five attempts with rookie Walker Sodaro stepping into setting duties.
 
Day 3: UBC3, TRU 0 (22-25, 18-25, 19-25)
 
Ending their weekend with one more match against UBC, the ‘Pack were taken down in three sets.
 
Matthew Hamilton was TRU’s top scorer with eight kills on 14 swings as well as an ace in what wasn’t the cleanest game for TRU as the team committed 19 hitting and 17 service errors.
 
One weekend of exhibition play remains for the ‘Pack as they host the UBC Okanagan Heat next Friday and Saturday.
 
TRU will finally get its season started on October 20-21 in Edmonton against the Alberta Golden Bears.