PREVIEW: First home action of 2024-25 for new-look WolfPack

Game Information
 
Date: Friday, November 1
Time: 5:30 p.m. PT
Location: TCC Gym
Tickets
 
Date: Saturday, November 2
Time: 3:00 p.m. PT
Location: TCC Gym
Tickets
 
Weekend Story
 
KAMLOOPS – After a hard-earned split on the road, the Thompson Rivers WolfPack men’s volleyball team will see their first action of the regular season in the TCC this weekend when they host the UBC Okanagan Heat on Friday and Saturday.
 
Facing UBCO at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, the games will also feature some emotional homecomings for the ‘Pack.
 
Prior to the game Friday, Owen Waterhouse will put in a ceremonial first serve in his return to the TCC. After the game Friday, Erin Walter will present the first-ever Owyn McInnis Memorial – Men’s Volleyball Athletic Award on the court.
 
Picked to finish 10th in the Canada West Coaches’ Poll, a WolfPack squad that features 13 new faces from last season went out on the road to Winnipeg and started their season strong last weekend. After falling 3-0 to the Bisons, who were picked 5th in the poll, TRU rallied to defeat Manitoba by a score of 3-1 Saturday.
 
Fourth-year outside hitter was named the WolfPack Male Athlete of the Week in large part thanks to his 16 kill, three service ace performance on Saturday.
 
The Heat started their season with a bang as well, as they swept the MacEwan Griffins by scores of 3-0 and 3-1 in Kelowna.
 
Last season, TRU picked up back-to-back 3-2 victories over UBCO in the TCC.
 
TRU WolfPack 2024-25 Season Preview
 
2023-24 CW Regular Season Record: 11-13 (9th)
Offence: 1529 pts (1st)
Defence: 869 digs (3rd)
 
Key Additions:
Dylan Annala / OH / 3 / Dinsmore, SK / College of the Rockies
Tyson Koop / S / 4 / Steinbach, MB / Douglas College
Jakob Leinemann / M / 3 / Kelowna, BC / Capilano University
 
2023-24 Returning Stats Leaders:
Kills: 421 – Sam Flowerday
Assists: 72 – Walker Sodaro
Digs: 173 – Rylan Ibbetson
Blocks: 68 – Gavin Margerison
Hit %: .266 – Sam Flowerday
 
Key Performer:
Sam Flowerday / OH / 4 / Proserpine, AUS
 
Leading all of Canada with 421 kills and 479 points last season, Sam Flowerday played in all 24 regular season matches for TRU and suited up in a nation-high 106 sets. The product of Proserpine, Australia also finished fourth in the conference in kills-per-set (3.94) and third in service aces (43).
A member of the Australian men’s national team, Flowerday will once again be a leader on a WolfPack roster that sees 13 new players join the fold.