The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack looked a little uncomfortable as they took to the floor at the Warner Rentals Court at the Tournament Capital Centre on Friday afternoon.
Whether it was the early start or the fact they knew their slim Canada West playoff hopes were about to evaporate, the WolfPack were a tad unsettled as they dropped a 3-0 decision to the visiting Mount Royal University Cougars to open a two game series. The scores were 27-25, 25-23, 25-20.
For the vastly improved TRU program, it was their eighth straight league loss. They fall to 7-14 on the year. Mount Royal improves to 4-15.
"I think we came out like a team which had something to lose," said WolfPack head coach Chad Grimm. "We looked nervous and were afraid to play the game. We were afraid of what might happen instead of just playing."
The WolfPack had two players in double figures for kills.
Katarina Legutky (second year, outside hitter, Calgary, AB) had 12 kills in 21 chances with 11 digs.
Iuliia Pakhomenko (third year, outside hitter, Donetsk, Ukraine)
had 11 kills in 37 opportunities with one assist, two service aces,
and seven digs. Many times, the Cougars had a double block to
thwart her offensive maneuvers.
"I don't think she had trouble in the past with two blockers," stated Grimm. "She had trouble shifting gears and changing her shot. She has had some trouble coming back after her knee surgery finding her rhythm. I still think she is probably the best player in the country. She just needs to trust herself and find the confidence she had before Christmas."
Kara Twomey (third year, setter, Winnipeg, MB) had 41 assists while Alyssa Wolf (fourth year, libero, South Surrey, BC) added 13 digs.
Kaitlin Lomas (second year, middle, Ponoka, AB) was named the TRU Bookstore/McDonalds "Leader of the Pack" player of the match. She had nine kills in 17 chances with three digs, a solo block and three block assists.
Mount Royal was led by Fallon Middlemass (fifth year, outside hitter, Sherwood Park, AB) with 13 kills in 40 opportunities with an assist, three service aces, seven digs and five block assists.
Jenna Smith (fourth year, setter, Beaverlodge, AB) had 31 assists and nine digs along with six block assists.
The teams will do battle again on Saturday (Jan. 24) at 1 pm at the Tournament Capital Centre. It will be the final home match of the year for the WolfPack women—who hadn't won a match in two seasons going into this year.