The inconsistencies continue for the rebuilding Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s volleyball team.
One night after a five set victory over the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, Thompson Rivers fell to the visiting Thunderbirds 3-0 at the Tournament Capital Centre. The scores were 25-14, 25-18, and 25-17.
The WolfPack fall to 2-4 on the season while UBC moves to .500 at 3-3.
"I think mentally we didn't look like we were ready to play tonight," said WolfPack head coach Chad Grimm. "We came out a little bit flat and we never found our rhythm. We have not been able to battle two nights in a row. I don't think it's about the wins and losses. I just don't think we are being that consistent."
Grimm says the consistency will come as the players evolve. "Part of it is that we need to be able to compete both nights. I think in the past there has not been very many tightly contested matches. For them to get over the hump and do that every night is going to take a little bit of experience and more mental fortitude."
"I was really pleased with how we started," said UBC head coach Doug Reimer. "I can't think of anybody in our lineup who didn't come out to play today. We set a good tone in the first set and were consistent. I thought our hitters were really assertive and made good choices. All the things that we didn't do so well yesterday. I thought TRU played very well yesterday and I thought they brought as much. "
UBC was led by Alissa Coulter (fourth year, left side, Calgary, AB) with 13 kills in 27 chances with a service ace, eight digs and two block assists.
Alessandra Gentile (second year, setter, Port Moody, BC) had 29 assists.
Cara Rosehill (third year libero, Kailua, HI) had 10 digs.
For Thompson Rivers, Iuliia Pakhomenko (third year, middle, Donetsk, Ukraine) had nine kills in 22 opportunities with five digs and a block assist.
Krista Hogewoning (fourth year, outside hitter, Delta, BC) had six kils in 23 swings with five digs and a block assist.
The TRU Bookstore/McDonalds Leader of the Pack was Morgan Kolasa (second year, outside hitter, Calgary, AB). She had three kills in 10 chances with a dig and three block assists.
Kara Twomey (third year, setter, Winnipeg, MB) had 12 assists with Katie Woo (third year, setter, Surrey, BC) added seven assists. Both players had three digs.
Reimer says the 2014-15 Canada West season has been a challenge for his club, which is perennially one of the top teams in the nation. "Earlier start to the season and we are missing numerous bodies. I am not using that as an excuse but we had to use different lineups and do different things. We have had a real mix with players in a lot of new roles. Challenge is a very good word to use."
The WolfPack continue their homestand as the University of Regina Cougars come to town on October 31 and November 1. Game time on Halloween at the TCC will be 6 pm.
The Thunderbirds return to the War Memorial Gym to entertain the UBCO Heat in a pair of matches next weekend.