TRU earns retribution over Clan: Wolfpack defeat SFU in straight sets 3-0
October 25, 2008
Burnaby, B.C. – The Thompson Rivers WolfPack won their first game of the 2008-09 season, earning retribution over the Simon Fraser University Clan with a straight sets 3-0 (27-25, 25-20, 25-21) victory on Saturday night. The win improves TRU to 1-1 on the season, while the Clan fall to 1-3 on the year.
"We put it to them," said WolfPack Head Coach Cal Wohlford, "We didn't play great. but certain players stepped up."
Thompson Rivers led the first set 8-5 at the first break and 16-12 at the second following kills from Amanda Loree(2nd year, outside hitter,Armstrong, BC) and Richelle Walton (5 th year, Outside hitter, Langley, BC). SFU rallied to tie the game at 24-24, and at that point it appeared that neither team wanted to win the first set, as nine errors accounted for the final ten points of the set, which TRU ultimately won 27-25.
The WolfPack jumped out to a fast start in the second set, winning the first eight points and led 16-11 following a kill from Daniela Bercelli (4 th year, outside hitter, Jundai, Brazil). Thompson Rivers continued their strong play and capitalized on two Clan attack errors to close out the second set 25-20.
In the third set, TRU again held the early advantage, leading 8-6 at the first break following a Sarah McNeil ( Prince George , B.C.) attack error. SFU didn’t buckle and battled back to take a 16-15 lead following a McNeil kill. Thompson Rivers however regained control to lead 19-18 after a Krystyna Adams ( Richmond , B.C.) service error, and controlled the remainder of the set, closing it out on a Walton kill.
Walton led the way for the WolfPack, connecting on an impressive 16-of-34 attack attempts, while adding nine digs.
"Richelle was unstoppable tonite," gushed Wohlford " she made some great hits from the back row. She had some huge kills in the third set.".
Stine Christianson (2nd year, setter, Ribe, Denmark) led the game with 26 set assists, while Marilia Vasconcellos (3rd year, libero, Jundai, Brazil) had a game high 15 digs.
For the Clan, Colleen Douville had a team high eight kills, while Stephanie Senges added 16 set assists. Laura Mireault ( North Vancouver , B.C.) led her team for the second straight night with 14 digs.
"Our blocking got better as the match went on," said Wohlford 'and we cut down on the unforced errors."
The Clan host the UBC Thunderbirds next weekend, while the WolfPack travel to Manitoba to face the Bisons.
(courtesy of Scott Mclean, SFU and phone interview)