PREVIEW: Rivalry week on tap for ‘Pack inside TCC

Game Information
 
Date: Friday, January 19
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: TCC Gym
Tickets
 
Date: Saturday, January 20
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: TCC Gym
Tickets

Weekend Story
 
KAMLOOPS – The President’s Cup and more will be on the line this weekend when the Thompson Rivers WolfPack women’s volleyball team welcome the UBC Okanagan Heat to the TCC.

The WolfPack (5-9) will host the Heat (6-10) at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. The games will also serve as President’s Cup contests. An annual competition between TRU and UBCO since 1993, the President’s Cup is awarded to the school that wins the most games between the two institutions with both a men’s and women’s trophy awarded. The Heat carry a 2-0 edge in the women’s competition heading into the weekend thanks to a pair of wins during the soccer season.
 
TRU put together a dominant performance on home court last weekend, securing a pair of 3-0 sweeps over the MacEwan Griffins. Libero Olivia Andulajevic was named the WolfPack Athlete of the Week after recording 27 digs in the six sets, including a season-high 17 on Friday. The result was the first time TRU had swept a team 3-0, 3-0 since the 2019-20 season.
 
UBCO comes into the weekend after splitting a pair of games with the Calgary Dinos in their last action. Both the ‘Pack and Heat are right in the mix for the final playoff spot in the Canada West conference with the Winnipeg Wesmen currently holding that place with a record of 6-9.

The teams split a pair of games in Kelowna last season with TRU handing UBCO a defeat that dropped them from their spot as the No. 9 ranked team in Canada.
 
By The Numbers
 
3.39: Brooklyn Olfert is fourth in the conference with 3.39 kills-per-set.
 
1.09: Middle Natalie Funk of the Heat is a force to be reckoned with as she is currently fourth in the conference in blocks-per-set.
 
8.19: Despite sharing the starting role earlier in the season, setter Libby Meldrum has shone since taking the reins due to injury and is third in the conference in assists-per-set.