WolfPack Upset Wesmen In Canada West Playoff Opener

By SHELDON APPELLE
University of Winnipeg Sports Information Director
February 16 2007

The Thompson Rivers Wolfpack upset the fourth ranked Winnipeg Wesmen 3-2 (21-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-23, 15-11) in game one of the best of three series Friday night at the Duckworth Centre in Winnipeg.

The opening set was a see-saw battle with both teams taking their turn grabbing the lead several times in the set. The Wolfpack grabbed a 8-6 lead at the first break, only to see the hometown Wesmen fight back to take a 16-14 lead at the second timeout. Fourth year opposite Ben Schellenberg came thru with two huge kills down the stretch to give Winnipeg a 25-21 first set advantage. 
 
In the second set The Wolfpack took advantage of several early Wesmen errors to take leads of 8-6 and 16-14 at the timeouts. The Wolfpack were able to hold off Winnipeg's attack and take the second set by a score of 25-22.

The third set once again saw both teams battle for every point possible. Thompson Rivers was able to grab leads of 8-6 and 16-14 at the timeouts. The Wesmen showed why they are the number four ranked team in the country as they battled back with key kills to win set number three 25-23.

In the fourth set first year outside Robin Schoebel of the Wolfpack pounded home six kills in the set to lead Thompson Rivers to a nail biting 25-23 set four victory.

In the fifth and deciding set the Wolfpack took advantage of three Winnipeg errors to race out to a 8-3 lead before the teams switched sides. The Wolfpack continued to hunt down the Wesmen winning the fifth set 15-11 to complete the match one upset.

Robin Schoebel led the Wolfpack with a match high 26 kills. Troy Jaggard was next with 14 kills, while Patrick Johnston was solid on defense finishing with 15 digs.

Richard Wiebe led Winnipeg with 16 kills and 13 digs. Ben Schellenberg was next up with 14 kills.

Game two will go Saturday night at 7:00 CST from the Duckworth Centre.