The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men's volleyball team will look to snap a six match losing skid as they visit the University of Manitoba Bisons in Canada West play this weekend in Winnipeg.
The Pack and Bisons are in the middle of the Canada West standings.  The WolfPack are seventh in the league with a .500 record (7-7) while the Bisons are eighth with a 7-9 record.
Tim Dobbert is a solid second in Canada West stats in both kills per set (4.39) and kills (237).
Manitoba's Brendan Warren leads the Canada West in blocks per set (1.61).
After the weekend, the WolfPack return home to host the Brandon University Bobcats and the Univesity of Saskatchewan Huskies in their final two home weekends.

Game Information:

Date: Fri Jan 25/ Sat Jan 26  Time: 8 PM/7 PM  PDT
Location:  Investors Group Athletic Centre, Winnipeg, MB             
TRU record:  7-7 ( 7^th in league)                         Last 5 matches: 0-5        on road    1-5
Manitoba record: 7-9 (8^th  in league)                Last 5 matches: 3-2        at home:  4-4

Important  Game Notes:

The Bisons are coming off a split last weekend in Saskatoon against the Saskatchewan Huskies. Thompson Rivers was on the road in Langley, BC losing both ends of a weekend series with the Spartans.
Last year, the teams played at the TCC where Manitoba won both nights, taking TRU 3-1 (18-25,25-20,25-18,25,22) on November 24^th and then beating them 3-2 on November 25^th (19-25,25-17,13-25,26-26,15-12).
Manitoba has one fifth year play in middle Dustin Spiring (middle,Winnipeg, MB) and one fourth year in Kevin Negus (right side, Sioux Lookout, ON)
They are coached by Garth Pischke who is assisted by his son Dane. Garth is into his 36^th season as head coach of the Manitoba program.
The WolfPack welcomed middle Sam Taylor Parks (4^th year, Kelowna, BC) back into the lineup Saturday against Trinity. He had some key kills in that match for TRU.
The Pack don't have a home match until February 1^st when they entertain the Brandon University Bobcats at the Tournament Capital Centre.
 
Thoughts from WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly:

We have a pretty solid match up wit Manitoba. We are in need a some wins for sure. We had a long win streak and now have lost the last six we have played.  I think play offs will be 10-11 with 5-8 realistically still in our sights. We are almost back to full strength with Sam back for the last game against TWU. You don't even fully realize what Sam brings until he is gone. He is a solid attacker one of our best blockers and solid over all skills. Sam also brings leadership and stability to the line up. Cole did a great job filling in for Sam and was getting better every time on the floor. 
Manitoba is a solid blocking team and #15 (Kevin Negus) and 12 (Dustin Spiring) are both solid attackers. They play well at home and are also scrapping it out for a play off position. 
 
Players to Watch:

TRU:

Tim Dobbert (5^th year, outside hitter, Aichelberg, Germany): is second in Canada West in kills (237) and kills per set (4.39).
Anton Napolitano (3^rd year, setter, Victoria, AUS): third in Canada West in service aces per set (0.53).
Kyle Behiels (4^th year, middle, Edmonton, AB):  fourth in Canada West in service aces per set (0.51).


Manitoba:

Brendan Warren (3^rd year, outside hitter, Steinbach, MB): leads the Canada West in blocks per set (1.61) and is second on the Bisons with 12 service aces..
Dustin Spiring (5^th year,middle  Winnipeg,MB): second on the BIsons in kills with 158, third in digs (71) and is third in scoring per set at 2.4.
Kevin Negus (4^th year,right side, Sioux Lookout, ON): s leads Bisons with 4.1 points per set, fourth in digs with 64 and leads in service aces (16) and kills (200).
 
If you can't make the game/match: watch online (pay per view) at www.canadawesttv.ca

Home game/match highlights will be available by logging onto www.gowolfpack.tru.ca