The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men's volleyball team have drawn first blood in their Canada West quarter final series.  The Pack took the opening game of their best of three affair with the host University of Alberta Golden Bears 3-1.

The scores on Friday night (Feb 22) were 25-22,23-25,25-21, 25-20.  It was the 'Pack's first ever post season victory over the Golden Bears and second victory at Alberta in their history.
Both teams were accurate in their hitting through two sets: TRU with a .411 average while Alberta was at .315.

Game two of the series is Saturday (Feb 23).

With the WolfPack women downing Alberta in five earlier in the evening, this was the first time all season that both TRU volleyball teams won on the same night.

 SYNOPSIS

The WolfPack were led on offense by Tim Dobbert (5^th year, outside hitter, Aichelberg, Germany).  He had 25 kills in 42 chances.  Charlie Bringloe (4^th year, outside hitter, Waterloo, ON) had  10 kills.   Anton Napolitano (3^rd year, setter, Victoria, AUS) had 42 assists, three service aces and 6 digs.
Taryq Sani had 18 kills in 40 chances.  Alex McMullin chipped in with eight kills while Jackson Kennedy had seven kills

KEY STATS:

SCORES:
TRU:                 25   23   25   25   ---3
ALBERTA:        22   25   21   20   ---1
                              
 
TRU:

Tim Dobbert : 25 kills in 42 swings, 6 digs, 1 service ace, 1 solo block, 3 block assists
Charlie Bringloe:10 kills in 25 chances, 6 digs, 2 assists, 1 solo block, 3 block assists
Kyle Beheils 6 kills in 9 opportunities, 2 digs, 2 solo blocks, 1 block assist
Anton Napolitano: 42 assists, 6 digs, 3 service aces, 1 block assist
Tim Edge, 5 kills in 12 chances, 3 service aces, 2 digs.
 
ALBERTA
:
Taryq Sani: 18 kills in 40 chances, 3 service aces, 2 digs, 1 solo block
Alex McMullen: 8 kills in 23 opportunities, 1 dig
Jackson Kennedy: 7 kills in 15 swings, 8 digs, 2 block assists
Luke Brisbane: 25 assists, 6 digs, 1 solo block
Max Elgert: 10 assists, 2 digs, 1 block assist


THEY SAID IT (post match quotes):

TRU Head Coach Pat Hennelly:

On Match:  "Anton did an excellent job moving the ball around. Tim Edge and Kyle Beheils both had excellent matches. Tim Edge came out with a serving run in the first set that really set the tone and Kyle was solid at the nt. Tim Dobbert has a huge night attacking and blocking with 28.5 points. That could be a school record.  The real difference maker was Isaac Smit coming off the bench serving and providing solid defense. He contributed in every set. It was a great team performance. I expect the Bears to be tough tomorrow and we know it is still a long way to go against a great team and great program."

UP NEXT:

The Golden Bears and WolfPack will tangle again tomorrow (Sat Feb 23) at 5 PM MDT.  If a third match is needed it will be played Sunday (Feb 24) afternoon at 3 PM  All of the above matches can we viewed on a pay per view basis on www.canadawesttv.com.