All cylinders firing to start season as Pandas knock off TRU 3-0

EDMONTON – Fifth-year outside hitter Lauryn Tremblay finished with a game-high 10 kills to help lead the Alberta Pandas to a 3-0 (25-14, 25-21, 25-22) opening night victory over the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack Friday night at the Saville Centre.

Tremblay was flanked by a great performance from second-year Mackenzie Pool who had eight kills and a .471 attack percentage. Alberta’s (2022-23: 10-14 | 10th in CW) offence was firing on all cylinders in the contest, finishing with an efficient .299 hitting percentage.

The Wolfpack (2022-23: 7-17 | 11th in CW) were paced by outside hitter Brooklyn Olfert who had also had a game-high 10 kills, and setter Libby Meldrum who had 13 assists and two kills. They struggled to beat a stout Alberta defence, who held them to a .096 hitting percentage on the night.

Alberta jumped out to an impressive early lead behind some great play at the net. At a 16-8 advantage, they had held the Wolfpack to a .000 attack percentage while recording two blocks. TRU would settle in for the back-half of the set, but ultimately fell 25-14. Alberta rookie Ronnie Dickson would pace both sides with four kills in the set, helping Alberta to an efficient .357 attacking percentage.

The visiting Wolfpack would regroup to start the second set, jumping out to a 14-12 lead behind a couple kills from Faith Christensen. However, after a called timeout the Pandas would go on a 6-1 run led by Tremblay to put them back in the lead at 18-15. The ‘Pack would knot it up 19, but a strong Alberta attack led by Mackenzie Pool would eventually win out as they took the second set 25-21. Tremblay would be the set leader in kills, finishing with five.

The Pandas would continue their momentum into the third set, hitting to the tune of an .261 attacking percentage and holding the visitors to a .143 mark. And while the Pandas would jump to a 19-11 lead, TRU would storm back with a 10-3 run to make it a one-point game. The home side would settle in with some phenomenal play around the net from Dickson to win the set and ultimately the match 25-22. Tremblay would continue to impress in the final set for Alberta, recording a set-high three kills. 

The teams return to action tomorrow evening at 5:00 PM MST for their final regular season matchup of the year.