WolfPack set to battle rival Heat

Game Information

Date: Friday, Jan. 28 – Saturday, Jan. 29
Time: 6:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.
Location: Tournament Capital Centre
Watch Live: Canadawest.tv

KAMLOOPS – Another instalment of a classic rivalry is set to take part this weekend when the Thompson Rivers WolfPack women’s volleyball team travels to Kelowna to face the UBC Okanagan Heat.

Playing the Heat on Friday at 6:00 p.m. as well as on Saturday at 3:00 p.m., the weekend will feature the 0-8 WolfPack looking to upset the 5-1 Heat.

As the Canada West season enters the home stretch, every set is an important one for both squads. The WolfPack are looking to rack up some victories and snag a wildcard berth into the playoffs while the Heat are in a fight with the Trinity Western Spartans for first overall in the West Division.

Despite missing several key players as well as head coach Chad Grimm due to COVID-19 protocol last weekend, a young WolfPack team fought hard and nearly toppled the Fraser Valley Cascades in losses of 3-2 and 3-0. Rookie Brooklyn Olfert continued her emergence as a powerful threat for the ‘Pack, racking up 28 kills over the two games.

The contests will be the first of the second semester for the Heat after they missed out on playing last weekend due to COVID-19 protocol. The Heat haven’t played since splitting a weekend set with the UBC Thunderbirds back on December 3-4.

These teams met earlier in the season in Kamloops. The Heat took the first game in straight-sets before recording a 3-1 victory in the second contest.

By the Numbers

53 – Anastasiia Muzyka’s 53 assists last weekend led to her being named the WolfPack Athlete of the Week.

2.52 – Olfert’s mark of 2.52 kills-per-set places her 21st in the conference.

.280 – The efficient Heat are second in the conference as a team in hitting percentage.

Scouting the Heat

Sydney Grills (77 kills), Amaya Perry (66) and Jade Bussard (63) do the damage from the outside for a Heat team that has featured an explosive offence so far this season.