KAMLOOPS – In a complete reversal from the day prior, the Thompson Rivers WolfPack men's volleyball team was dealt a 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-22) defeat by the host Manitoba Bisons.
 
The result moves the WolfPack to 2-2 in the young season as they have split each of their opening two weekends in the always-competitive Canada West conference.
 
"We struggled to get pressure on Manitoba from the service line and their offence was solid," said WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly. "It's always good to earn a road win, but today we played flat and Manitoba was sharper."
 
Corbin Ockerman had four kills on his five attempts as well as a pair of service aces as the fourth-year middle put together a strong weekend for the 'Pack. Sam Flowerday had eight kills while Sam Elgert had 19 kills and a pair of aces. Defensively Dylan VanSpankeren was everywhere for the 'Pack, finishing the game with 12 digs.
 
The WolfPack jumped out to an early lead in the first set and led 12-7 before the Bisons were able to swing moment back in their favour.
 
"We started out great before there was a long stoppage in play after a Manitoba player put his hand through a glass window chasing down a ball," said Hennelly. "We let the first set slip away from us after that and played poorly in the second set."
 
Entering the third set knowing that they needed to take it to keep the game going, TRU kept it tight with the Bisons through 6-6. Four straight points from the home team later however and the 'Pack were in trouble down 10-6.  After the teams traded points for a while TRU responded with a run of their own. Led by three kills from Flowerday, TRU jumped all the way back and took a 22-20 lead. That would be the last point they scored in the match however as the Bisons ended the night on a 5-0 run.
 
TRU will now return to the TCC and get set to host the Winnipeg Wesmen this coming weekend.