KAMLOOPS – They got better as the night went on, but it wasn’t enough as the Thompson Rivers WolfPack men’s volleyball team was swept 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-22) by the No. 4 ranked Trinity Western Spartans in Langley.
Sam Flowerday, who leads the ‘Pack with 301 kills this season, was explosive on the night for TRU. The product of Proserpine, Australia put down 15 kills on just 23 attacks for a scintillating .609 hitting percentage. Rookie Gavin Margerison added six kills and a service ace for the ‘Pack.
Jesse Elser, Henry Rempel and Brodie Hofer led a three-pronged attack for TWU, finishing with 12, 12 and 10 kills respectively.
After the Spartans took the first two sets handily, the ‘Pack responded in the third. After falling into a 17-11 hole the ‘Pack put together a 4-0 run during which Flowerday had a pair of kills to help close the gap. TWU stretched back out to a 22-17 lead but once again the WolfPack had an answer. Three kills from Flowerday bookended by kills from Rylan Ibbetson and Michael Svab brought the ‘Pack back to within two before the Spartans were able to put the set and the match away.
The ‘Pack will now return home for a pair of crucial clashes to finish their regular season slate. Holding a record of 8-14 and just one game behind the Manitoba Bisons for the final playoff spot in Canada West, TRU will be looking to knock off the UBC Thunderbirds and punch their ticket to the postseason. Those games are scheduled for Friday and Saturday night inside the TCC.