WINNIPEG – The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s volleyball team went into Winnipeg and got a split in Canada West weekend play. After losing in three sets to the host Wesmen on Friday (Nov. 25), the ‘Pack came back and downed Winnipeg on Saturday night (Nov. 26).
TRU won in four sets. The scores were 25-20, 23-25, 25-19, 25-16. Both teams are now 2-and-8 on the season. “It was nice to see the team play with so much emotion,” said WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly. “They did for the entire match.”
Aleks Saddlemyer (5th year, outside, hitter, Sidney) was the top WolfPack offensive weapon for the second straight night. He had 17 kills in 29 chances with three service aces, five digs and five solo blocks. Brad Gunter (1st year, outside hitter, Courtenay) had 12 kills in 25 swings with two digs. Chris Osborne (2nd year, outside hitter, Phoenix) had 11 kills in 21 chances with eight digs and a solo block.
“Colin Carson (4th year, setter, Prince George) did a great job of running the offence and leading with 10 digs on the defensive side,” Hennelly added. “We served tougher and that helped our defence.”
SIDE OUTS The WolfPack have another tough weekend ahead as they will host the CIS champion Trinity Western University Spartans for a pair of matches on Friday and Saturday (Dec. 2-3) … they are the final two matches before the Christmas and exam break … “With six weekends and 12 matches this has been our toughest first semester in the seven years I have coached at TRU,” Hennelly said. “Trinity will be tough and they are very well coached.” … the WolfPack will be heading to California for a couple of exhibition matches between Jan. 5-7 … before they leave they will take on Trinity in an exhibition match Jan. 2 in Langley ...