WolfPack rally to defeat Huskies in five

SASKATOON, SK – A monumental come from behind effort paved the way to victory for a Thompson Rivers WolfPack women’s volleyball team that earned a 3-2 (25-23, 20-25, 14-25, 25-19, 25-6) victory over the Saskatchewan Huskies Friday.

“We came out okay but then Saskatchewan played better, they scored a lot of tip and roll shots and we looked a little slow and hesitant,” said WolfPack head coach Chad Grimm. “We managed to turn it around in the fourth and fifth so it was great to see the pushback and getting a win on the road is always nice.”

The win is the second of the season for the ‘Pack and their first that has come in five sets for a young WolfPack squad.

Brooklyn Olfert was explosive for TRU with 19 kills while Ema Palkovicova followed up with 14 as well as a pair of both aces and solo blocks. Hadley Schmidt and Libby Meldrum split setting duties, with 22 and 21 assists respectively.  

It was a back and forth battle for most of the first set, with neither team able to take the lead for long. Back to back kills by Saskatchewan’s Keely Anderson would tie the set at 19-19 before Olfert responded with two kills of her own. Service errors on both sides of the ball evened the score yet again before a kill from Palkovicova gave the WolfPack the edge and the 25-23 set win.  

Saskatchewan dominated the next two sets before the WolfPack were able to find another level.

A 10-10 tie started the fourth set before five points from TRU put them ahead 15-10. Back and forth went the rest of the set, with the WolfPack continuing to be aggressive at the net. A late rally from the Huskies would bring them within two points at 19-21, but they were unable to overcome the WolfPack, who forced a fifth set with a 25-19 win.  

TRU dominated the fifth set with Olfert putting down six kills in the set before a solo block from rookie Keira Gent gave the ‘Pack the 15-6 victory.  

NEXT UP 

The Huskies will take on the WolfPack in game two of their weekend series on Saturday, November 4 at 3:30 PM (pt) at the Physical Activity Complex.