WolfPack push it to five but can’t sweep Huskies

KAMLOOPS – Playing in their second five set match in less than 24 hours, the Thompson Rivers WolfPack women’s volleyball team couldn’t find a way to make it two wins in a row in a 3-2 (20-25,25-15, 25-17, 14-25, 15-9) loss at the hands of the Saskatchewan Huskies.
 
“I’m happier with the team today than I was yesterday,” said WolfPack head coach Behlul Yavasgel. “Kate Lamothe had an incredible performance; we’ve been waiting for her to shine and she we went out today and did her thing. For me, I’m just so proud of Kate’s performance.”
 
Lamothe, a second-year outside hitter from Winchester, ON saw her first extended run of action on the court this season and was more than up to the task. Filling in for an injured Erin Mutch, Lamothe recorded 12 kills in the match.
 
Ema Palkovicova picked up right where she left off the night before, finishing the game with 21 kills and two aces. Brooklyn Olfert added 12 kills while Faith Christensen was good for four aces.
 
The Huskies were once again led by Olivia Mattern offensively who finished with 11 kills and three aces. Joelene Sibley had 10 kills to go along with an ace while Mandi Fraser and Caet McCorkell contributed nine kills apiece.
 
The WolfPack showed no signs of fatigue in the first set, coming out flying thanks to an early serving streak from Olfert which included an ace. Palkovicova led the way in the first set with five kills while Lamothe would added four. With the evenly distributed offensive attack humming, the WolfPack were able to build up a seven-point lead and cruise to win the set 25-20. Sibley and Mattern recorded four and three kills respectively for Saskatchewan in the opening frame.
 
The second set would mirror the first, but this time in favor of the Huskies who came out strong, built up a lead and never looked back. Saskatchewan found success on the serving line with five aces and also at the net with six team blocks. The Huskies gained a 10-point advantage before taking the set 25-15.
 
The third set was a tight affair. Back and forth exchanges in points would keep the match tied up to 13-13 until the Huskies found some separation thanks to a strong serving streak by Sibley and three kills from McCorkell. With that momentum, the Huskies were able to see out an efficient set, hitting at 0.591 per cent as a team and take the 25-17 victory.
 
TRU found a new level in the fourth set and forced a fifth thanks to their newfound energy. The team finished on .625 per cent of their attacks and while the Huskies kept things close Christensen took the set in her own hands by going on two long serving streaks including an ace.
 
The fifth set featured non-stop swings of momentum. The Huskies came out strong getting out to a 4-0 lead. The WolfPack were able to claw their way back and even earn their first lead of the set at 7-6. But  strong serving from Sibley and three late kills from Fraser gave Saskatchewan the 15-9 victory.
 
The WolfPack and the Huskies both move onto 5-5 on the season. TRU will go on the road next weekend to close out 2022 as they face the University of Calgary Dinos. Meanwhile Saskatchewan will finish the year off at home as they take on the UBCO Heat next weekend.