KAMLOOPS – It was another weekend on the road for the Thompson Rivers WolfPack men's volleyball team as they played a trio of exhibition games in Winnipeg. The 'Pack played well against some top teams in Canada West, winning their final game of the trip against Fraser Valley.
GAME 1:
TRU 0, WPG 3 (25-20, 25-19, 27-25)
Facing a Winnipeg Wesmen squad that was a conference-best 17-3 in the regular season last year, TRU got better as the game went one in a 3-0 defeat.
WolfPack rookie Daniel Hitchens 15 kills and four aces while Manitoban Tyson Koop contributed five kills, one ace and 34 assists.
"Really solid effort from the guys today," said WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly. "Hudson Rempel was excellent passing and really helped."
GAME 2:
TRU 0, MAN 3 (25-16, 25-22, 25-22)
TRU was right with the Manitoba Bisons in their next game, before ultimately falling 3-0.
Alex Howard ended with eight kills, two blocks and an ace.
Rylan Ibbetson started well with four kills before exiting at the start of the second set.
Mason Sodaro came in and provided instant offence in the third set with five kills and a block.
GAME 3:
TRU 3, UFV 2 (25-20, 22-25, 25-23, 33-35, 15-13)
The WolfPack saved their best for last as they defeated the Fraser Valley Cascades by a score of 3-2 in their final game of the weekend.
Alex Howard led with 12 kills, two aces and two blocks.
Britain Ward had nine kills, five blocks and one ace.
Hudson Rempel came in in the fourth set and added instant offence with seven kills and two digs.
"It was a really gritty effort from the whole team today," said Hennelly.
The 'Pack continue to prepare for their Canada West campaign with a pair of exhibition matches against the UBC Okanagan Heat in Kelowna next weekend. TRU's starts their regular season on the road against the Mount Royal Cougars Oct. 17-18.
