Image Credit: Andrew Snucins
WolfPack Volleyball Recap

WolfPack outlast Wesmen to extend win streak to six games

Jan 12, 2025 | 11:07 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Thompson Rivers University (TRU) women’s volleyball team went the distance but they picked up a 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 25-12, 18-25, 15-10) win over the Winnipeg Wesmen on Saturday (Jan. 11) afternoon.

The 10-2 WolfPack have won six in a row to move into second place in the standings, though the Fraser Valley Cascades have a pair of games in hand.

The WolfPack were led by Rida Erlalelitepe, who finished with 16 kills, two aces and two blocks; Maria Dancheva, who contributed 15 kills; and Brooklyn Olfert, who had 10 kills and four aces.

Libby Meldrum also dished out 32 assists for the WolfPack at the Tournament Capital Centre (TCC).

“We found a way. I thought Winnipeg played better to their credit, they served tougher and defended better,” WolfPack Head Coach Chad Grimm said.

“In the beginning we were going for stuff that maybe wasn’t there and we weren’t so good in our base defence, but when the chips were down we found a way – which is an important skill.”

The WolfPack men couldn’t repeat the heroics from the night before, as they were beaten 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-17) by the second-ranked Wesmen, who were victorious in Kamloops for the first time since 2017.

Sam Flowerday led the way with eight kills while Rylan Ibbetson and Mason Sodaro chipped in four kills each, as the WolfPack dropped to 3-9 on the season.

“We talked about it, we poked the bear last night,” Head Coach Pat Hennelly said.

“I’m sure Winnipeg wasn’t happy with how they played last night and both teams had things to clean up from yesterday so I knew they were going to be better and that we could be better, but that wasn’t the case for us.”

The WolfPack volleyball teams are off next weekend, before they hit the road to take on the perennial powerhouse Alberta Golden Bears on Jan. 24 and 25.