Libby Meldrum
Andrew Snucins
3
Winner University of Manitoba MAN 7-2,7-2
1
Thompson Rivers University TRU 2-7,2-7
Winner
University of Manitoba MAN
7-2,7-2
3
Final
1
Thompson Rivers University TRU
2-7,2-7
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
University of Manitoba MAN 24 25 25 25 (3)
Thompson Rivers University TRU 26 20 17 18 (1)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | | TRU WolfPack

WolfPack start hot but fall to No. 8 Bisons

QUICK FIRE
  • They took the first set in dramatic fashion but that was the only set of the night that the Thompson Rivers WolfPack women's volleyball team would claim in a 3-1 (24-26, 25-20, 25-17, 25-18) loss to the Manitoba Bisons.
 
DIFFERENCE MAKERS
  • Brooklyn Olfert once again led the way for the 'Pack with 13 kills while also adding 11 digs. Kate Lamothe continued to shine in her return from injury with nine kills while Ema Palkovicova added eight. Faith Christensen was a force in the middle for TRU with five kills as well as five blocks. Libby Meldrum recorded 39 assists to go along with her four service aces.
  • Raya Surinx was a force for Manitoba with a sparkling 20 kills on 49 attempts. Katreena Bentley racked up 53 assists for the Bisons.

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • A comeback for the ages gave the 'Pack the win in set one. On the back of six kills from Surinx, Manitoba jumped out to an early lead and earned three sets points at 24-20. From there the 'Pack would rally however and a pair of blocks from Christensen combined with kills from Palkovicova and Lamothe saw TRU rip off six-straight points to take the set 26-24.
  • It was Manitoba's turn to mount a comeback in set two. TRU roared out to an early 6-1 lead before Manitoba counted 19 of the next 26 points thanks in large parts to four kills from Brenna Bedosky to take a commanding 20-13 edge. From there Bisons were able to see out the set at 25-20.
  • The Bisons hit a scintillating .565 per cent as a team in the third set to take control of the match. Surinx had six kills and Bedosky four as the visitors rolled to the 25-17 victory.
  • The WolfPack did their best to force a fifth set. Trailing 18-11 they got three kills apiece from Palkovicova and Olfert to make things interesting before the Bisons were able to pull out the victory.

NOTABLE
  • The 39 assists put up by Meldrum were the second most in her WolfPack career while her four service aces were a new career-best.

QUOTABLE – WolfPack head coach Chad Grimm
  • "We had some struggles to refocus tonight, we got stuck at points tonight on our own individual mistakes and put ourselves on our own little islands at times, which is a lonely place to be in a team sport."
  • "We didn't have that fearlessness that we needed. When the sets were almost over we played free but we have to find a way to play like that from the beginning of the match. Obviously that's difficult with a young team that hasn't been in those situations a lot."
  • On the play of Kate Lamothe as she returns from injury. "She's bringing some points, we've had trouble scoring at times and she gives us another dimension. She hits the ball with pace and has done a good job from the service line and in reception. Keira Gent has been doing great but it's a lot to ask of a first year to bring that every point in every game so Kate has just added another dimension to our group."
UP NEXT
  • The WolfPack will remain in Kamloops and get set to end their first semester slate when they host the Trinity Western Spartans inside the TCC next weekend.
Print Friendly Version