Langley—It was a good start, but not a great finish, as the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s volleyball team kicked off their 2014-15 Canada West season on Friday night (Oct. 10).
The WolfPack lost 3-1 to the Trinity Western University Spartans at the Langley Events Centre. The scores were 25-15, 16-24,19-25, 21-25.
“We struggled at times with reading the games and I think nerves played a part," said WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly. “Trinity Western managed the ball very well and we struggled to pick up some easy balls. The Spartans played very well.”
CIS Player of the Year Brad Gunter (4th year, outside hitter, Courtenay) led the way for Thompson Rivers with 25 kills in 53 chances with two service aces and nine digs.
Randy Grundmann (2nd year, outside hitter, Winnipeg) was seven for 15 with six digs. Stuart Richey (5th year, outside hitter, Gibson’s, B.C.) had 12 digs along with five kills in 15 chances.
Graham Stoliker (4th year, setter, Surrey) had 43 assists.
The same two teams played Saturday (Oct. 11) in Langley, with the Spartans prevailing 3-0 with wins of 25-23, 25-22, 25-20.
The WolfPack were led by Grundmann with 12 kills on 23 swings. “Randy had his best performance as a member of the WolfPack," stated Hennelly. “He hit very well and served great. Randy has worked hard on his ball control and it has paid off. He was a big recruit for us last year and has a bright future in this league.”
It was a tough night for Gunter. He was limited to eight kills on 22 opportunities with a service ace and six digs and had to leave the match after dislocating his finger in the third set.
Stoliker had 22 assists. Matt Krueger (5th year, libero, Abbotsford) and Gunter tied for the team high with six digs.
The WolfPack are on the road again this weekend (Oct. 17-18) as they visit the Dinos at the University of Calgary. Their Canada West home opener is Friday, Oct. 24 at the Tournament Capital Centre against the University of B.C. Thunderbirds.
SIDE OUTS The WolfPack women's volleyball team, with Gunter's sister Carly in her first year, dropped their first two games of the season to the Spartans 3-0 Friday and 3-2 Saturday…they are also in Calgary this weekend and play their home opener Oct. 24 against UBC ...
– TRU WolfPack