By Larry Read
TRU Sports Information Officer
KAMLOOPS, BC: The Brandon University Bobcats are leaving Kamloops with a sweep in Canada West men's volleyball. One night after taking the host Thompson Rivers University WolfPack in straight sets, the Bobcats did it again.
The scores on Saturday night (Nov 4) on the Warner Rentals court were 25-20, 25-20,25-17.
The Bobcats were led by Elliot Viles with nine kills in 27 chances. Seth Friesen chipped in with 6. TRU's main kills leader was Cole Keddie with seven. Tim Dobbert added four.
SYNOPSIS
The first set was close with the score tied 10 times and five lead changes. Despite losing, Joshua Mullaney led the kills race with three for TRU.
In the second set, Brandon got a big performance from Matt Powell as he had three kills leading them to a two set advantage.
The third set saw the Bobcats move out to a big lead, the WolfPack tried to battle back but it was Brandon who got to the 16 point tech time out first leading 16-8.
The TRU Bookstore/McDonalds "Leader of the Pack" player of the match was Tim Edge (4th year, outside hitter, Langley, BC).
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:
KEY STATS:
SCORES BY SET:
Brandon 25 25 25
TRU 20 20 17
Brandon:
Reece Dixon (3rd year, setter, Sherwood Park, AB) 19 assists, 8 digs
Elito Viles (2nd year, outside hitter, Adelaide, AUS) : 9 kills in 27 chances, 6 service aces, 3 digs
Seth Friesen(3rd year,outside hitter, Brandon, MB) : 6 kills in 21 opportunities, 5 digs, 4 block assists
Matt Powell (5th year, outside hitter, Melville, SK) 4 kills in 20 chances, 3 service aces, 1 block 1 block assist
TRU:
Cole Keddie (4th year, outside hitter, Edmonton, AB) 7 kills in 20 chances, 4 digs, 1 solo block, 1 block assist
Tim Dobbert (4th year, outside hitter, Aichelberg, Germany) 4 kills in 18 swings, 2 digs, 2 block assists
Jakob Hamilton (2nd year, setter, Calgary, AB) 15 assists, 1 dig, 1 block assist
Randy Grundmann (5th year, outside, Winnipeg, MB) 5 kills in 9 chances, 5 digs, 5 block assists
Isaac Smit (4th year, libero, Kelowna, BC) 8 digs
RECORDS:
TRU: 2-1 Brandon: 4-1
QUOTES:
TRU head coach Pat Hennelly:
Says the team has taken a step back to last year: "It looks like we are out here expecting a worst case scenario and we are surprised when we make nice plays. Brandon is a quality team. They are ranked nationally and are projected to be a playoff team. We seem surprised when they make a good play. When you think the other team is doing something special or you seem surprised when they make good plays, which every quality team can do. I believe we can make those plays as well. It seems like a long night. We seemed very hesitant, very quiet. Lots of doubt in our play. There were very few times when we took charge of a situation whether it was offensively or defensively. That was very reminiscent of last year. It is frustrating and a step back. I like the fight we had when we put some subs in. That is all I have asked the guys to do the entire match. The score wasn't a better result but the feel is a better feel. We could have built off that yesterday if it happened in the second set."
Brandon head coach Grant Wilson (6th season):
On sweep: "Think this is a first for our program to come in and win both nights. To be able to do it 3-0 both nights is pretty surprising. Glad we come away with a couple of 'w's". I thought our two left side guys did really well. They were facing two and three man blocks and were finding ways to score. I thought we served really well. We got them in trouble in serve/receive and came up with some big blocks."
UP NEXT:
Next week (Nov 9-10), the WolfPack kick off a four game road trip. First they play in Vancouver, BC against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (Nov 9-10). Then they will visit the University of Winnipeg for a pair of matches against the Wesmen (Nov 17-18).
The Bobcats return home to entertain the Trinity Western University Spartans (Nov 10-11).
Next home match for the WolfPack won't be until Friday, November 24th on the Warner Rentals Court at the Tournament Capital Centre when they play host to the University of Manitoba Bisons. Match time is 7:45 pm. It will be webcast on a pay-per-view basis on www.Canadawest.tv with John-Luke Kieper, former TRU player Morgan Kolasa and Dylana Milobar beginning at 7:35 pm.