The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack—for the first time since they entered the Canada West and U SPORTS—are unbeaten after their first three regular season matches.
The WolfPack swept the visiting University of Calgary Dinos 3-0 in their home opening match at the Tournament Capital Centre on Friday night (Oct 28).
The scores were 25-17,25-20 and 25-22. The Dinos are winless in three starts
The WolfPack were powered by an outstanding performance by setter Anastasiia Muzyka (3rd year, Poltawa, Ukraine). She had 37 kills with is the 2019-20 record for assists in a three set match.
SYNOPSIS:
The WolfPack used the energy of a big crowd to help spur them on. They led 16-10 at the technical time out and got five kills each in the first set from both Kendra Finch (5th year, outside, North Vancouver, BC) and Olga Savenchuk (2nd year, outside hitter, Donetsk, Ukraine).
Calgary was led by their fifth year middle Beth Vinnell (Calgary, AB).
The second set was much like the first as TRU dominated. That set was ended by a kill from Finch, her 13 th of the match at that point. Calgary’s offense was bolstered by five kills by outside hitter Adriel Goodman (5th year, Buxton, BC).
In the third set, the gutsy Dinos shook off three match points in a row before succumbing to the confident WolfPack.
Finch led the Thompson Rivers attack with 14 kills in 34 swings and had eight digs. Savenchuk—the “Den Leader of the Pack” player of the match had 10 kills in 21 chances. Hali Drezet (4th year, libero, Prince George, BC) had a team high nine digs. Erin Mutch (2nd year, outside hitter, Victoria, BC) and Muzyka each had a team high three service aces.
Calgary got eight kills in 14 chances from Finnell. Goodman had 7 kills in 16 swings. Lexi Pert (4th year, setter, Calgary, AB) chipped in with 21 assists and a team high nine digs.
HIGHLIGHTS:
THEY SAID IT!
WolfPack head coach: Chad Grimm:
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1187959878955892739
Calgary Head coach Natalie Gurnsey (9th season):
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1187959975479410688
WolfPack outside hitter Olga Savenchuk (2nd year, Donetsk, Ukraine):
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1187959836069093379
NEXT UP: The two teams will meet again at the Tournament Capital Centre on Saturday (Oct 26). The pregame show begins on Canada West TV at 4:50 PM. You can catch it on Canada West TV presented by Co-op by accessing: https://cw.yaretv.com/. Results will be available on the WolfPack social media platforms and their website www.goWolfPack.ca.
[SOURCE: Thompson Rivers University]