MVB Web
1
Thompson Rivers TRU 6-13
3
Winner Calgary CGY 7-12
Thompson Rivers TRU
6-13
1
Final
3
Calgary CGY
7-12
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Thompson Rivers TRU 23 25 22 22 (1)
Calgary CGY 25 22 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Men's Volleyball | | TRU WolfPack

WolfPack fall to Dinos to set up win or go home battle in regular season finale

QUICK FIRE
  • Every single set was close but it was the host Calgary Dinos that recorded the win in a 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22) victory over the Thompson Rivers WolfPack men's volleyball team Friday night.
  • The result means that the WolfPack must win tomorrow's game against the Dinos in three or four sets to punch their ticket to the postseason.
     
DIFFERENCE MAKERS
  • Merritt's own Alex Howard shouldered the load offensively for the 'Pack, recording a game-high 18 kills as well as three total blocks. Veteran outside Rylan Ibbetson added seven kills to increase his career tally to 733, Middle Lincoln Wagner added a further seven kills to go along with four block assists. WolfPack libero Brandon Johnson tallied six digs and 37 successful service receptions on the night.
  • Sam Kay and Cole Czepuryk powered the Dinos with 14 and 10 kills respectively. Luke Nodwell tallied eight kills and nine block assists for Calgary.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • The Dinos held off a furious WolfPack comeback to take the first set. Trailing 17-10, the WolfPack fought all the way back to down just one at 22-21 thanks to three kills from Howard as well as a kill and a pair of blocks by Jakob Leinemann during that run. Ibbetson had a kill to fight off one set point after the Dinos re-established a lead at 24-22 but that was as close as TRU would come in the frame with Calgary claiming the first 25-23.
  • Seven kills from Howard in the second set powered TRU to victory. Back-to-back kills from Howard, a product of Merritt, B.C., gave the 'Pack a commanding lead at 16-11. The Dinos battled back to get within one points at 23-22 but TRU was able to see out the set with a kill each from Howard and Ibbetson helping the 'Pack pick up the 25-22 win.
  •  It was once again an early Dinos lead that sent them to victory in the third. Calgary used an 8-1 run early in the set to turn what was a 5-5 tie into a 13-6 lead. Again the WolfPack battled back however, with a block from Howard and Daniel Hitchens putting an exclamation point on a strong middle of the set for TRU to bring the visitors within two at 16-14. The WolfPack stayed within two points of the Dinos' for much of the rest of the way but could never pull even as Calgary took the frame 25-22.
  • The fourth and final set followed much the same script as the 'Pack did their best to battle back from an early deficit before ultimately falling just shy. Down 17-12, the 'Pack quickly ripped off a 6-2 run powered by a pair of kills from Howard to cut the deficit to one at 19-18. The teams traded points the rest of the way and while Parker Bailey, Jakob Leinemann and Howard had kills down the stretch, Calgary was able to hold on for the 25-22 set victory.

NOTABLE
  • The result sets the stage for a massive game tomorrow in Calgary. Entering the season finale, TRU (6-13) is one game and two points back of the Dinos (7-12) for the tenth and final playoff spot in the Canada West conference. With a five-set game awarding two points to the victor and one to the loser, while a three or four-set victory gives the winner all three points, TRU must win the match in three or four sets to punch their ticket to the postseason.
  • With 35 assists on the night, WolfPack setter Walker Sodaro moved to 659 on the season, good enough for the ninth-most in program history with one game still to go.

QUOTABLE (WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly)
  • Tough night on the road to find some consistency. We had moments when we played great but could not maintain any pressure.
  • Brandon Johnson and Alex Howard provided stability passing. Brandon had arguably his best match of the season.
 
UP NEXT
  • The WolfPack and Dinos will play that all-important match with a playoff spot on the line tomorrow (Feb. 14) in a game that gets underway at 4:45 p.m. PT.
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