The WolfPack women’s volleyball team had its opening week against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Following a successful opening weekend in Alberta, where the women secured a pair of wins, the WolfPack sought to maintain the momentum at home.
On Friday night, the ‘Pack hosted its first game of the season in its home barn at the Tournament Capital Center. The Huskies’ powerful offence gave them a victory in the first set, 25-17. The Huskies hit .361 per cent as a team and sent seven kills to the ‘Pack. In the second set, the WolfPack flipped the script and dominated, winning 25-18. Hail Ward gave the ‘Pack seven kills, and Rida Erlalelitepe added two aces as well.
Going into the third set tied 1-1, the WolfPack attempted to regroup. However, the Huskies stood firm, fending off the ‘Pack 25-19. For a last push, the WolfPack rallied once more, but were no match for the Huskies’ efficient hitting and a rock-solid defence. In the end, the visiting team took the last set 25-17 to hand the WolfPack their first loss of the season.
While this was the first loss of the season, the ‘Pack displayed incredible grit, with Erlalelitepe earning 13 kills and a pair of aces, Ward adding 12 kills, and Lauren Junck with eight kills of her own. Setter Libby Meldrum recorded an impressive 35 assists and 14 digs.
The teams returned to face off the next night. From the first hit of the game, the WolfPack were hungry for revenge. After trading points at the beginning of the game, the ‘Pack lunged ahead with a 9-1 point run, pulling the first set out of the Huskies’ hands. Throughout the run, ‘Pack outside hitter Keria Gent had a pair of kills and an ace, while Meldrum and Maria Dancheva combined for a big block before Meldrum put the frame to bed with an ace of her own. Gent added seven kills on just ten attacks to lead the way for the ‘Pack. By the end of the first set, the ‘Pack set the tone for the rest of the game with a 25-15 win.
In the second set of the night, the ‘Pack trailed the Huskies by five points early in. However, the women demonstrated their tenacity and drive, fighting their way back to tie the match. Quick kills from Ward, Meldrum, and Faith Christensen near the end of the set helped put the team in control. Though the Huskies nipped at the ‘Pack’s heels, back-to-back kills from Erlalelitepe handed TRU the set, winning 26-24.
At the start of the third, Gent put up a pair of aces to help her team take an early lead. Ultimately, the ‘Pack would overpower the Huskies, taking the set 25-17, securing a straight set win and their third win of the season.
Following the game, coach Chad Grimm said that the difference between the two games came down to smoother play and stronger passing.
“Tonight, compared to last night, we were just smoother; we passed the ball better. I thought Libby Meldrum had a better game, and our attackers were just able to find edges. Overall, it was much smoother.” Grimm said.
Grimm also highlighted several key individual performances that helped secure the win.
“Rida was efficient tonight, and Keira had a good bounce back. Faith hit well yesterday, but Libby did a good job of activating her more, and of course, that comes with better passing,” Grimm said. “I think when we have the ability to have a threat in the middle, it opens up people like Keira and Rida and makes their night easier as well.”
The WolfPack will stay at home and look for redemption as they take on the UBC Thunderbirds next week in a rematch of last year’s Canada West quarter-final.