VB: ALB setter, MRU middle dynamic in Round Two performances

CALGARY – Alberta’s Max Elgert and Mount Royal’s Nyadholi Thokbuom were named the Canada West Volleyball Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday.

The engine of the Alberta Golden Bears, Max Elgert continued to impress in Round Two of the CW Playoffs. He and the Golden Bears opened the round with a 3-0 drubbing of a fellow Final-Four team, the Brandon Bobcats. The fifth-year setter posted 33 assists through the quick sets, along with a kill, a service ace, two blocks and a team-high seven digs.

Elgert found his attackers with accuracy, while scoring himself in key moments. He carried that momentum to the team’s next game, a 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Wesmen. Elgert was again a difference-maker for his team, commanding a convincing offence while hitting with efficiency when needed.

He posted 42 assists, four kills, a .429 kill percentage and two block assists. He again wasn’t afraid to hit the hardcourt, posting another six digs.

The Athabasca, AB product has led the Golden Bears to a perfect postseason run through two rounds. In that time, the Golden Bears have dropped just two sets in five matches.

The Player of the Week appears to be a family affair, with Max’s brother, Samuel (a setter for TRU) getting the nod earlier this season.

Elgert will be back on the court in the CW Semi-finals Friday when Alberta takes on Calgary at 8 p.m. PT at the Langley Events Centre. The Golden Bears will be looking to punch their ticket to the Championship match the following day.

Game log:
March 10: 33 assists, 1 K, 1 SA, 2 blocks, 7 digs in 3-0 W vs BDN
March 12: 42 assists, 4 K, .429 K%, 2 BA, 6 digs in 3-1 W vs WPG

Meanwhile, a third-year middle blocker was looking to secure her team’s spot in the Final Four. Mount Royal’s Nyadholi Thokbuom was force to be reckoned with. She began the Cougars’ semi-final bid with a bang, putting away 19 kills in four sets in the team’s Round Two opening win over their crosstown rivals, the Calgary Dinos.

Thokbuom’s mark was the best in the match, and she worked with extreme efficiency and consistency. The Calgary, AB product swung at an astounding rate of .613 per cent, while adding three block assists and five digs.

She put up 20.5 points in the four-set match, propelling her Cougars to a statement victory.

Thokbuom followed that up Sunday with an impressive 12 kills, .333 kill percentage, four block assists and three digs for 14 points. Her MRU Cougars fell in five sets to UBC, but accomplished the weekend’s mission: earning a spot in the Final Four.

That starts Friday, with Mount Royal facing off against Alberta in their semi-final match. First serve is slated for 1 p.m. MT at the University of Alberta. Thokbuom and the Cougars will be looking to win their way to the Championship final on Saturday.

Game log:
March 11: 19 K, .613 K%, 3 BA, 5 digs, 20.5 points in 3-1 W vs CGY
March 13: 12 K, .333 K%, 4 BA, 3 digs, 14 points in 2-3 L vs UBC