The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s volleyball team now know what it will take to beat the Canada West’s top teams.
The WolfPack had the tough task of meeting the defending league champion Brandon University Bobcats on their home turf during the opening weekend of regular season play.

After losing 3-1 on Friday night (Oct 18), the WolfPack took Brandon to four sets again on Saturday (Oct 19). This time the scores were 25-17,25-22,24-26,29-27. The Bobcats continued their home court unbeaten streak at the Healthy Living Centre dating back to 2017-18.

Charlie Bringloe (4th year, outside hitter, Waterloo, ON) led the way with a match high 21 kills and five digs for the WolfPack. Rookie Nimo Bennie (outside hitter,Castricum, Netherlands) had 11 kills and two service aces.

Sam Taylor Parks (5th year, middle, Kelowna, BC) had eight kills. Kyle Behiels (5th year, middle, Edmonton, AB) contributed 3 service aces and three blocks. Anton Napolitano (4th year, setter, Victoria, AUS) had 42 assists and 11 digs. Landon Currie (3rd year, libero, Vernon, BC) chipped in with 12 digs.
“We had a solid finish but we started a bit rough,” said WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly. ” I thought we played better and so did Brandon. Nimo Bennie was solid with Sam Taylor Parks. Brody Kopec (1st year, outside hitter, Red Deer, AB) came in and made a difference at the net and defensively.”

Brandon was led by Seth Friesen with 16 kills and 4 digs. Elliot Viles had 14 kills. Mason Metcalfe contributed 8 blocks. Robin Baghdady had nine kills, six blocks, two service aces and eight digs while Jake Fleming had 42 assists and two service aces.

The WolfPack return home to meet up with the University of Calgary Dinos on Friday October 28 th at 6:45 pm at the Tournament Capital Centre. The Bobcats are idle next week and don’t play until November 1st when they meet the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

[SOURCE: Thompson Rivers University]