TRU Outside Hitter Sam Flowerday. (Image Credit: Andrew Snucins)

By Victor Kaisar

Flowerday 1,000

WolfPack volleyball teams resume Canada West season with wins over Winnipeg

Jan 11, 2025 | 12:22 PM

KAMLOOPS — It was a winning return to action for both Thompson Rivers University (TRU) volleyball teams as they hosted the University of Winnipeg Friday (Jan. 10) night.

The 3-8 WolfPack men beat the Wesmen 3-1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-20) at the Tournament Capital Centre (TCC) on a night when Sam Flowerday became just the second player in program history to reach 1,000 career kills.

The Australian outside hitter finished with 17 kills Friday, giving him a career total of 1,011, second only to Brad Gunter, who had 1,476 kills during his five years with the WolfPack.

Rylan Ibbetson and Matthew Hamilton also had five kills each for the WolfPack, who handed the 10-1 Wesmen their first defeat of the season. Tyson Koop also recorded 31 assists for TRU while Mason Sodaro led the way with eight blocks.

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“We were all frustrated after the first semester and I think we just wanted to go out and play volleyball tonight,” Head Coach Pat Hennelly said. “We didn’t do a lot of talking, we just were businesslike.”

The 9-2 WolfPack women streched their win streak to five games with a 3-0 (28-26, 25-16, 25-22) triumph over the 5-6 Wesmen Friday night. The ‘Pack had to shake off some rust and fight off a trio of set points in the first set, which was the closest of the night.

“I don’t think it was a pretty match for long stretches but we shook it off,” Head Coach Chad Grimm said. “We got better from the service line and more disciplined in our blocking defence. We started to find some more rhythm on offence too.”

“Winnipeg competes hard, they’ve had some big wins so I expect them to be tough but overall I’m obviously happy with the win.”

Brooklyn Olfert and Rida Erlalelitepe powered the nationally ranked WolfPack with 13 and 12 kills apiece. Myah Cressy recorded four total blocks while Kate Lamothe fired in six aces.

The WolfPack and Wesmen will rematch at the TCC Saturday afternoon with the men taking the floor at 3:00 p.m., followed the women at 4:45 p.m.