KAMLOOPS – After a tight first set the Thompson Rivers WolfPack men's volleyball team took control of the proceedings and never looked back in a 3-0 (28-26, 25-21, 25-18) victory over the visiting Winnipeg Wesmen.
 
"I don't think we were fully prepared to play and one of their top guys was out injured so they put a different lineup in and we got caught standing around and looking a little bit," said WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly's on his team slow start. "Full credit to Winnipeg, they came out on fire and you saw why they are one of the best defensive teams in the country right now. We were lucky to win the first set but really settled in after that."
 
Sam Flowerday finished with 16 kills in the match, Rylan Ibbetson and Matthew Hamilton added six apiece while Sam Elgert had 28 assists and a pair of service aces. Defensively Corbin Ockerman had a solo block and six assists, Michael Svab had a pair of solo blocks and Dylan VanSpankeren had a team-high seven digs.
 
Liam Kristjanson was the focal point of the Wesmen attack with 11 kills. Paxton Koop and Eric Dornez added seven each with Alex Krykewich recording 22 assists.
 
The WolfPack outlasted the Wesmen in a first set that went the distance. A kill by Thomas Bridle gave the Wesmen a pair of set points but after regaining serve a strong run from Matthew Hamilton allowed TRU to take a 25-24 lead. After the teams traded points a pair of kills from Thundersky Walkingbear and a service ace from Michael Svab sent the 'Pack to the 28-26 victory.
 
"We had to put Hamilton in, who hasn't seen a lot of action but he was excellent tonight and then Ibbetson was able to come back in and play well," said Hennelly. "We knew we had some depth in the outside positions and it showed tonight."
 
Kristjanson carried the offence for Wesmen in the second set with seven kills in the frame. It was the WolfPack who pull away late however, as a 6-2 WolfPack run from 19-18 gave the home team the comfortable 25-21 victory.
 
Flowerday came to life in the third set. The second-year from Australia finished on eight of his 14 attacks while also putting up a solo block to help the 'Pack snag the 25-18 set victory.
 
These two teams will be back in action tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. inside the Tournament Capital Centre and the 'Pack will be looking to complete their first weekend sweep of the season.
 
"These first three weekends we had to come out with atleast a split because when it comes to the end of the season I can guarantee there's going to four wins deciding about five different positions in the standings," said Hennelly. "We are facing a team that's a man down on the road, so we have to come out tomorrow with a little more intensity and a better start."