Something a little special this week for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s volleyball team.
That’s because it’s the week of the Canada West home opener.
The WolfPack will be entertaining the University of Calgary Dinos at the Tournament Capital Centre on both Friday and Saturday (Oct 25-26).
The Dinos split with the University of Saskatchewan last week. The WolfPack lost in four both nights to the defending Canada West champion Brandon University Bobcats.
Calgary and the WolfPack will play both nights at 6:45 pm PDT.
There will be a big crowd at the TCC on the Friday night as the Pack are hosting a grade eight and junior volleyball tournament.
RECORDS OF NOTE:
The WolfPack were 11-11 last season (sixth) in the Canada West. The Dinos were 10-12 (eighth). Thompson Rivers was 8-5 on home court last season Calgary was 5-7 on the road.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES:
Last season, the teams played in Calgary (Oct 19-20) where the Dinos won the first night 3-1 (26-24,25-15,20-25,25-11). Tim Dobbert led the way offensively for Thompson Rivers with 20 kills in 41 swings. Anton Napolitano had 23 assists and Landon Currie had 6 digs. Calgary was led by Gavin Taylor with nine kills and a team high six digs. Tim Taylor had eight. Blain Cranston had 28 assists
The WolfPack took the second match in three straight sets (26-24,25-20,25-22). Dobbert led again with 18 kills. Charlie Bringloe added 12 kills. Napolitano had 32 assists while Isaac Smit had a team leading seven digs. Taylor was the main offensive threat for Calgary with 12 kills. Cranston had 22 assists and a team high seven digs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
TRU:
Anton Napolitano (4th year, setter, Victoria, AUS) second in Canada West in digs (19) and digs per set (2.38)along with being fifth in Canada West in assists per set (9).
Landon Currie (3rd year, libero, Vernon, BC): fifth in Canada West in digs per set (2.13).
Sam Taylor Parks (5th year, middle, Kelowna, BC): second in Canada Wet with 1.25 blocks per set.
Charlie Bringloe (5th year, outside hitter, Waterloo,ON) second in Canada West in kills (36) and kills per set (4.50)
Calgary:
Hamish Hazelden(4th year, middle, Esperance, AUS) : leads the Dinos with 23 kills and is second on the team (tied) with 13 digs.
Liam Kuppe (3rd year, outside hitter, Calgary, AB) : tied for second most kills on Calgary with 20. Is tied for second in digs with 13.
Mac McNichol (5th year, outside hitter, Calgary, AB): tied for second with 20 kills and is fifth on the Dinos with 10 digs
Tomas Sorra (3rd year setter, Toronto, ON): leads the Dinos in assists with 77 and has 17 digs.
COMMENTS OF WOLFPACK COACH PAT HENNELLY:
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1187193901083283457
COMMENTS OF WOLFPACK MIDDLE KYLE BEHIELS (5TH YEAR, EDMONTON, AB):
https://twitter.com/GoTRUWolfPack/status/1187193868254531584
All of the above games can been seen on a pay per view basis 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]