The Men’s volleyball team had its home debut this weekend at the tournament Capital Center. Despite their strenuous efforts, they dropped both games of the doubleheader weekend against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
On Friday, in the first set, Jakob Leinemann and Alex Howard each contributed three kills; however, the Huskies launched 13 attacks against the ‘Pack and took home the set 25-17.
Into the second set, the ‘Pack led the way, with help from five kills from Lienemann. Nearing the end, the WolfPack were able to tie 23-23, thanks in large part to back-to-back blocks by Lienemann and Walker Sodaro. However, the Huskies bit back, taking the lead and set 28-26. In a do-or-die third set, the ‘Pack held a lead 11-9 for a time, but the Huskies, hungry for another victory, mounted a powerful comeback. In the end, the WolfPack weren’t able to force a fourth set and lost 25-21, handing the WolfPack their first loss at home for the season.
Howard proved once again to be an offensive powerhouse with nine kills in the game. Rylan Ibbetson also supported the WolfPack’s attack with five kills, while Leinemann, Aiden Goetz and Daniel Hitchens all had four.
Following the match, head coach Pat Hennelly reflected on the team’s performance, noting the challenges they faced in finding consistency. “It was a tough night, we didn’t get into any sense of rhythm,” Hennelly said. “The second set was a two-point game, but down the stretch, we didn’t look like a team that was in a two-point game.”
The team recouped and took on the Huskies again the next night. Hitchens set the tone from the first set, starting the game off with four kills, while Sodaro added a pair of aces to the ‘Pack’s score. The Huskies’ offence came through in the last half of the set, however, taking the first set 25-18.
In the second set, the ‘Pack battled back, trading points with the Huskies till the score was tied 19-19. Hitchens combined with a Howard ace gave the WolfPack the 23-19 edge. By the end of the second, the men were able to increase their lead, claiming their first set win of the weekend with a slim margin, 25-23 . With pride on the line, the teams traded sets in the third and fourth, forcing an epic fifth set.
With the game on the line, Hitchens attempted to rally the team, earning three kills while Britian Ward added two more; however, the Huskies pulled ahead in the set and took the 15-12 victory.
Hitchens had his best game so far as a member of the ‘Pack, recording 19 kills along with four blocks and ten digs. Howard added another 11 to his Canada West–leading total of 74, while Lincoln Wagner contributed eight through the middle. Sodaro led the team defensively with six blocks and added 40 assists on the night.
Despite the tough five-set loss, assistant coach Reece Wilson said he was proud of the team’s fight.
“It hurts to lose in five, but I thought the guys fought it out as best they could,” Wilson said. “Alex Howard continues to be great for us, and Daniel Hitchens was awesome in the first full match of his U SPORTS career, so hopefully he continues to grow.”
The WolfPack will face off against the UBC Thunderbirds next weekend at home.