WolfPack beat Bisons in five for weekend sweep

QUICK FIRE

• The Thompson Rivers WolfPack men's volleyball team earned the weekend sweep with a marathon 3-2 (21-25, 25-23, 18-25, 26-24, 16-14) victory over the Manitoba Bisons Saturday evening.
   

DIFFERENCE MAKERS

• Fifth-year outside hitter Rylan Ibbetson led the way for the 'Pack with 20 kills and a pair of service aces. Alex Howard added another 16 kills while Parker Bailey had another strong night with 11 kills of his own. Walker Sodaro continued his torrid pace this season with 55 assists on the night.
• Owen Weekes led the Bisons with 18 kills followed closely by Eric Ogaranko who tallied 15.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Trailing two sets to one and with the game on the line, the WolfPack came to life in the fourth. Howard had five kills and Ibbetson four to power a WolfPack attack that managed 13 kills in the frame. Finding themselves down 15-10 the WolfPack put together a 7-2 run to keep themselves in the game. That pivotal run featured back-to-back blocks by Daniel Hitchens and Lincoln Wagner as well as an ace apiece from Ibbetson and Mason Sodaro. The WolfPack continued that resilient streak late in the set, fighting off a match point at 24-23 before taking the frame 26-24 thanks to a massive solo block from Walker Sodaro.
• The fifth set couldn't have been any closer. Ibbetson had five kills and Bailey three in a finale frame that needed extra points. Backt-back-back kills from Ibbetson and Walker Sodaro gave TRU match point at 14-12 but this time it was Manitoba's turn to rally as they were able to knot the match back up at 14-14. The WolfPack refused to let the win slip away however and back-to-back kills from Ibbetson and Lincoln Wagner ended the night with the WolfPack winning 16-14.

NOTABLE

• The win moves the 'Pack to 4-8 on the season where they are currently in a playoff position.
• Walker Sodaro, one night after earning career assist number 1000, set a new career-best with 55 on the night.

 

QUOTABLE (WolfPack assistant coach Reece Wilson)

• Overall, I thought it was good. There were some points in that match where we were just okay but in the end we got the result we were looking for so I'm happy for the guys.
• Parker Bailey was great for us tonight. There were some moments where he slowed down a little bit but he got a bit of a break and then came back out and performed again, which is exactly what we need.

 
UP NEXT

• The WolfPack will now head into the winter break. Their next action will be a home exhibition tournament from Jan. 1-4.