WOLFPACK MVB WIN OPENER IN 5 OVER MANITOBA
For immediate Release: Oct 31, 2008
Winnipeg—“It wasn’t a pretty score but we are off on the right foot.” The words of a relieved Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Head Coach Pat Hennelly after his club came away with a five set victory over the hometown University of Manitoba Bison. It was the opening match for both teams in this 2008-09 Canada West Season.
The scores were 25-22,1825,25-22,23-25,15-13.
“It wasn’t the best volleyball,” said Hennelly. “Both clubs were a little rusty. I have to give credit to Manitoba. They played a lot of young guys and we got lucky.”
The Bisons held the lead for almost half of the fifth set before the WolfPack moved in front 10-9, and increased their lead to 14-11. The Bisons were able to regroup to get within one, but couldn’t complete the comeback, losing 15-13 in the fifth and deciding set.
Hennelly says the game could have gone either way. “It looked like both teams might have been a little out of sync out there. I’ll have to look at tape to see what kind of changes we can make tomorrow, but it’s huge to get a win like this early in the year.”
After splitting the first two sets the WolfPack stormed out to a 7-3 lead in the third, and the Bisons had to claw their way back the entire set. The Bisons were able to get within two, forcing the WolfPack to take a timeout when their lead dwindled down to 23-21, but they were able to fend off the Bisons, taking the third set 25-22.
The fourth set didn’t see a two-point lead for either team until the WolfPack moved in front 12-10. The Bisons were able to tie the set 20-20, and sneak in front 22-20 before taking the back-and-forth set 25-23, setting the stage for the thrilling fifth set.
Bison setter Drew Venables (5 th year, Kamloops, BC) had 42 assists in the losing cause, while right side hitter John Galloway and left side hitter and rookie Chris Voth each had double-digit kills for the Bisons. On the WolfPack side of the net, setter Colin Jaggard (4th year, setter, Calgary Alta) had 43 assists, while outside hitter Behlul Yavasgel (4th year, outside hitter, Aydin, Turkey) had eight digs and outside hitter Robin Schoebel(3rd year,outside hitter, Monaco) had 19 kills.
“Both Robin and Korsbak (third year middle, Martin, Nyborg Denmark) were solid.” Hennelly assessed. “ We missed both of them when they were out during the pre season.”
The two teams play again tomorrow (Saturday)
(with help from Mitchell Clinton, U of M)