KAMLOOPS – They picked up a set win and went toe-to-toe with the UBC Okangan Heat throughout the game, but in the end the Thompson Rivers WolfPack women's volleyball team was unable to take down their Interior rivals in a 3-1 (25-20, 18-25, 25-14, 25-21) loss.
Three of the four sets were tight on the night and the only major difference between the teams on the stats sheet was composure from the service line. A young WolfPack squad committed 18 service errors to the Heat's eight.
Returning to the lineup after missing out last weekend,
Erin Mutch spearheaded the 'Pack's attack. The third year from Victoria had a career-high 17 kills while finishing on .297 per cent of her swings. Mutch also added five service aces and three block assists.
Brooklyn Olfert followed up with 10 kills and a trio of aces. Defensively
Katie Ludvig compiled 18 digs.
For the Heat, Sydney Grills with 15 kills and Amaya Perry with 11 led the way. Sara McCreary racked up 32 assists in the game.
The night got off to a positive start for the WolfPack who led 16-14 at the technical timeout of the first set thanks to back-to-back kills from Mutch. UBC Okanagan were able to respond however, going on a 10-3 run coming out of the break en route to the 25-20 set victory.
TRU kept the pressure on in the second set, and an ace from Olfert gave them a 16-10 lead. UBCO tried to mount a comeback late, but the WolfPack outhit the Heat .321-.023 per cent as a team to take the set by a score of 25-18.
After the Heat ran away with the third set by a score of 25-14, the WolfPack were just barely unable to force a fifth and final frame. Down by five at the technical timeout the 'Pack were spurred by back-to-back aces from Mutch to bring the score to within two at 20-18. However. from there the Heat were able to maintain their lead and take the match.
The 'Pack will have a change for revenge tomorrow afternoon when these teams play once again with a 3 p.m. start time in Kelowna.
