(Image Credit: Archie Golding/LeftRight Media via TRU WolfPack)

By Victor Kaisar

Canada West Volleyball

WolfPack settle for fourth-place finish after defeat to UBC in Canada West bronze medal game

Mar 8, 2026 | 8:09 AM

EDMONTON — The Thompson Rivers University (TRU) WolfPack women’s volleyball team left it all on the court, but couldn’t find a way past the second-seeded UBC Thunderbirds in the Canada West bronze medal game.

The fourth-ranked WolfPack matched their best-ever finish in program history as they settled for fourth place following a 3-1 (17-25, 25-22, 21-25, 20-25) loss to the Thunderbirds Saturday (March 7) at the Saville Centre in Edmonton.

“UBC passed the ball well and we missed a few serves and then went a little too tentative from the service line but generally we hung in there and gave ourselves a chance,” head coach Chad Grimm said.

“While it didn’t fall our way in the end I’m proud of the way the girls battled tonight.”

The WolfPack were without all-star outside hitter Rida Erlalelitepe, who sat out with an undisclosed injury. In her absence, middle blockers Maria Dancheva (12 kills, five blocks, and a .400 hitting percentage) and Myah Cressy (11 kills, four blocks, and a .429 hitting percentage) led the way for TRU.

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Setter Libby Meldrum led with a game-high 38 assists for the WolfPack, who dropped a straight sets decision to the eventual champions Alberta in a semi-final on Friday. UBC lost to the Trinity Western Spartans in the other semi-final.

“I thought the girls battled,” Grimm added. “Obviously not having Rida Erlalelitepe out there is different for our squad and changes some things but I thought both Lucy Millam and Lauren Junck came in and did a good job and competed.”

“I thought Myah was excellent and Maria had a nice match. Our middle blockers really held us in the match.”

UBC were led by the the trio of Kylee Glanville (13 kills), Aimee Skinner (12) and Lucy Borowski (10). Seven different Thunderbirds also recorded a service ace on the night, while Issy Robertshaw finished with a game-high 34 assists. Glanville also led all players with 10 digs Saturday.

TRU began on the front foot as they began the first set with a 6-0 lead. UBC responded with an 11-4 run to take the lead, and they also added the final nine points to take the set 25-17.

While UBC battled back again in the second set, the WolfPack were able to hold on to take it 25-22. The Thunderbirds were also able to break ties in the third set (21-21) as well as the fourth set (12-12) to come away with the victory.

The WolfPack now turn their attention to the competing at the U SPORTS women’s volleyball championships in Langley for the very first time. Seeded seventh, the WolfPack will open the tournament on Friday (March 13) against the second seed Sherbrooke Vert et Or from Quebec.

Sherbrooke went 20-1 in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) season and were ranked second in the country.