The WolfPack Women’s volleyball team dramatically opened its season, earning a pair of sweeps in a double header against the MacEwan Griffins, a first for the team.
On Friday, Oct. 24, the ‘Pack opened up their season with a 3-0 win. In the first set, the teams went back and forth with points before the ‘Pack pulled away in the final plays to win 25-21. The ‘Pack carried their momentum into the second set, hitting nearly .400 as a team. With seven kills from Hail Ward, the women took the second set 25-9. In the third, the WolfPack fell behind early but rallied their spirits and had a 4-0 run to tie the score, before securing the match and their first win of the season with a 25-23 set.
Ward and Keria Gent each added 13 kills to the WolfPack’s offensive stats, while Ward also added two service aces and five blocks in the match. Cressy was a strong force in the middle of the court with six blocks, and setter Meldrum controlled the pace with 38 assists.
Head coach Chad Grimm praised the team’s steady play, noting their clean execution and strong defensive adjustments throughout the match.
“We played a pretty solid road game,” Grimm said in the WolfPack’s press release. “Our service pressure got to them a bit in the second, and while we came out a little flat in the third, we bent but didn’t break. Getting a win on the road is always good.”
On Saturday night, the ‘Pack was back to face the Griffins again, looking to go for a perfect double header weekend. The team came together as a force to be reckoned with from the first set. The women opened the night with a 9-2 run that featured impressive kills and blocks from Ward and Faith Christensen, before going on to take the set, 25-12.
With a taste of victory fresh in their minds, the WolfPack sought to carry the energy forward into their next set. Following an early lead with help from consecutive blocks by Ward and Christensen, the ‘Pack locked down the second set, 25-17.
The Griffins, however, remained undeterred. In the third, the home team attempted to mount a comeback, only to be denied by the ‘Pack’s steady serves and a strong defence. A 7–0 run, led by setter Libby Meldrum, who contributed an ace and distributed the ball effectively throughout the match, secured the victory, 25–22, earning the team a weekend sweep.
Ward and Gent once again led the way offensively. Ward recorded 12 kills on just 22 attacks while dominating at the net with a game-high seven blocks. Gent added 10 kills, three solo blocks, and nine digs, while Christensen made an immediate impact in her season debut with seven kills on 12 swings and six blocks.
Head coach Chad Grimm praised his team’s composure and execution throughout the series. “It’s never easy to win twice on the road, but the girls came out with great focus and intensity,” Grimm said. “We slipped a bit in the third set but pushed through to get the job done.”
The sweep marks the first time TRU has opened a Canada West season with back-to-back 3–0 victories.