The WolfPack Men’s volleyball team officially opened its 2025-26 season this weekend against the Mount Royal Cougars in Calgary.
On Friday night in the first game of the ‘Pack’s volleyball season, the men looked sharp against the Cougars. The opening set went to extra points; however, the Cougars were able to secure the victory with a 26-28 win. The ‘Pack bounced back in the second set, with back-to-back kills from Parker Bailey and Jacob Leinemann helping them to take the early lead, winning 27-25.
The Cougars dominated the third set of the game to bring them a 16-25 win. In the fourth, the ‘Pack tried to fight back to keep the game going. They trailed 16-11 starting the fourth set, but had a 5-2 run that was capped off by a kill from Bailey to cut the lead to two. Then, a Mount Royal attack error and a big block from Bailey and Mason Sodaro tied the set. But the comeback effort from the WolfPack fell short, as the cougars closed out the set 26-24 to win the set and the match.
Leniemann with 15 kills and Bailey with 13 kills both set new career-highs for the WolfPack. Overall, it was the Cougars’ 16 errors to the ‘Packs 25 that seemed to make the difference, tipping the favour in the home team’s direction.
Looking for redemption, the men suited up for their next match the following night. The ‘Pack started off strong, jumping to a 19-12 lead in the opening set. However, the WolfPack’s early momentum was lost when the Cougars earned eight straight points to take the advantage, leading to a first-set win, 25-22. In the second set, a service ace from Walker Sodaro capped off an early 6-1 WolfPack run. With a renewed focus, the ‘Pack kept the pressure on Calgary, holding the lead during the second set, which saw the winning point come from M. Sodaro, who finished off with a kill to leave the final score of 25-19.
With the game tied 1-1 going into the third set, it came down to the wire. The WolfPack held set point at 24–22 but couldn’t close it out as Mount Royal rallied to win 27–25. Despite recording 15 kills in the fourth, the WolfPack couldn’t contain MRU’s blocking game and dropped the final set 25–22.
Alex Howard led the way for the WolfPack, posting a game-high 12 kills on an efficient .346 hitting percentage. Lincoln Wagner contributed eight kills and three blocks, while W. Sodaro continued to steer the offence with 35 assists and 11 digs.
The WolfPack will continue playing in Alberta when they take on the MacEwan Griffins next week in Edmonton.