Cougars Catchup: January 13, 2023

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 | Box Score 4
Home Games:

WVB: TRU (2) at MRU (3)

Cougars women’s volleyball were faced with a bigger challenge than anticipated Friday night, when Thompson Rivers University came out swinging. After an astounding five sets of thrilling play, Mount Royal reigned victorious over TRU. 

Haley Roe was a force from the start from MRU, with a great showing from Madison Marshall, Nyadholi Thokbuom and Quinn Pelland. Marshall was a major factor, making game changing blocks in favour of the Cougars and seen making huge moves from the back row. 

Roe was tonight’s player of the game with an unbelievable 20 kills and nine digs. She was truly unstoppable tonight. 

“It felt really good. It was quite the game,” said Roe. “It was incredible, every person knew what to do. They gave it their all and went after it.”

Marshall and Pelland also had big nights, Marshall having 10 kills and 18 digs while Pelland put up 49 assists, 16 digs and six blocks. 

The first set was a tight battle for the majority, but MRU took off for the final eight points and put distance between the teams on the scoreboard. They claimed the first 25-20. 

The Wolfpack looked completely different in the second, with impressive passing and dangerous kills, giving them a commanding lead for the majority of the set play. They overtook MRU and won the second 25-23. 

Third saw an early start for Thompson Rivers while Mount Royal looked to adjust their attack plan. 

Olivia Andulajevic was the defining factor for the Wolfpack squad. She found the ability to constantly deny an MRU attack. 

Thokbuom’s return to Kenyon Court was nothing short of memorable, putting down 13 kills, it was obvious her presence was missed on the court. 

The Cougars made an incredible come-back, finding their motivation once again and had an impressive finish to end the third. Both teams were hungry for the set and pressed through to extra points before TRU claimed the set 28-26.

The fourth set belonged to Mount Royal with the introduction of Ella Lawrence. In one set alone she put up three kills, an ace, dig and block. Her performance was a huge player in the momentum shift that led to MRU taking the fourth 25-16. 

It was a battle to the finish line, but TRU couldn’t contain the Cougars. Mya Morgan was unstoppable at the net, meeting everything the Wolfpack threw her way and hammering it right back down onto their side. MRU was up 8-4 when teams swapped side, and continued their dominance for the final seven. 

The final whistle came and Mount Royal walked away heads held high taking the fifth set 15-8.

They are both back tomorrow night for a 5 p.m. start in Kenyon Court. Catch the game in Kenyon or on Canada West TV.

Player of the game: Haley Roe

MHKY: MAN (1) at MRU (5)
 
The University of Manitoba Bisons men’s hockey team were defeated by the Mount Royal University Cougars 5-1 Friday night at Flames Community Arena.
 
The Cougars were dominant right from the start. They held possession and the majority of the offensive zone play.
 
Bisons’ goaltender Simon Harkness made a huge save on Cougars’ forward Jared Power to keep the game scoreless early.
 
Unfortunately for Harkness and the Bisons, the scoreless game would be broken midway through the first. MRU rookie and former Regina Pat Koby Morrisseau deflected a point shot from Connor Blake and fooled Harkness to give the home team a 1-0 lead.
 
Despite significantly outshooting Manitoba and driving the play, the Cougars only had one goal to show for it in the first.
 
Into the second period, Mount Royal let the foot off the gas and Manitoba capitalized. Jonny Hooker sniped a one-timer past MRU netminder Jackson Berry to tie the game at one. Hooker’s tally came after a few minutes of sloppy defensive play from the Cougars.
 
The tie game gave rejuvenation to the MRU, and they regained the lead with a timely goal from the top line. Riley Sawchuk picked the puck up in the corner and wheeled to the top of the circle and turned to fire his patent quick wrister. Sawchuk’s goal was his 15^th of the year, which ties his total from 2021-22.
 
The Cougars added to their lead early in the third. Sawchuk found a wide-open Nolan Yaremko on the outside flank. Yaremko moved to his backhand and roofed it past Harkness to make it 3-1.
 
A few minutes later, Connor Bouchard made an incredible seeing-eye pass to Ethan Regnier. Regnier, positioned right on the doorstep of the net, one-timed it quickly past Harkness for a 4-1 Cougar lead. Mount Royal completely regained control of the game.
 
Jared Power made it 5-1 with a goal of the year candidate. Power dangled around the Bisons’ defence with a backhand toe-drag and then slotted the puck in the top corner off after his nifty play.
 
The Cougars took the win 5-1. The Bisons will look for revenge tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. Tickets are available here.
 
Player of the game: Koby Morrisseau

MVB: TRU (0) at MRU (3)

The MRU men’s volleyball team hosted the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack in an electric three set showdown Friday night in Kenyon Court. 

Cougars stormed out the gate, hitting down three before TRU could attack themselves, but service was quickly returned to the home team with a kill from Luis Lange. 

The Wolfpack weren’t going to give up easily, keeping the match competitive throughout the first set, with a big showing from Sam Flowerday who led the team with five kills and finished the game with nine. Flowerday finished just behind Rylan Ibbetson who exploded in the second half of play, finishing with 12 kills of his own. 

MRU finally took the set after a net roll through the Wolfpack off balance, with a final score of 25-20.

The second set saw a new fire, and Mount Royal took off. Thompson Rivers struggled to keep pace, falling seven points behind before being forced to call a timeout.

They regained some ground but still conceded the second set, 20-25. MRU went up 2-0. 

TRU took control going into the third, smashing down the first point and taking the lead for the first half. The Wolfpack had a massive third set, bringing it to extra points after struggling to find their rhythm throughout the first two. 

Jacob van Geel changed the game in favour of the Cougars when he smashed down a kill going off a TRU foot and forcing the game to extra points. The men carried forward this momentum, getting a second quick point that brought the game to 25-24 in their favour. 

Thompson Rivers called a final time out as a final effort to swing the momentum back but it wasn’t enough. The game ended unfortunately after TRU hit a long ball out of bounds and handed the Cougars the set.  

Jacob van Geel was player of the game tonight after an impressive performance on both sides of the ball. His back row attacks and positioning on defence were key aspects of the victory. He managed to finish the night with 10 kills, saying the game felt good.

“We were in control for most of it there,” said van Geel. “We just trusted our depth to fill the roles they haven’t played all year.” 

Both TRU and MRU are back in Kenyon tomorrow night for the late game, with a 7 p.m. service. 

Make sure to catch the game live on campus or on Canada West TV.

Player of the Game: Jacob Van Geel

Away Games: 

MBB: MRU (99) at UBCO (85)

WHKY: MRU (1) at MAN (3)

WBB: MRU (61) at UBCO (77)