For two sets, the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men's volleyball team had the number one team in the nation on the run.   The Pack were up 2-0 to the unbeaten University of Alberta Golden Bears.

But the Golden Bears showed why they are ranked atop of the CIS rankings and unbeaten—as they rallied to take the hometown 'Pack 3-2.  The scores were 19-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 16-14.

Alberta moves to 13-0 on the year while Thompson Rivers falls to 5-10.

"That was by far the best we have played and we did it against a unanimous number one team," said WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly. "That was our best volleyball to date and it was our most complete game so far.  Two missed serves was just enough to split the difference.  I think after losing the fourth set, it would have been easy for us to go away but we battled back. It was good to see."

"They (TRU) were way more into the match than we were in the first two sets," explained Golden Bears assistant coach Brock Davidiuk. "Our guys came out flat.  Maybe it was challenge of being undefeated.  We are still growing as players and the guys need to be mature to take on that challenge.  TRU is so good. They are not a team that we could take for granted — like every other team in the conference. Fortunately, we came out with a scrappy win."

Alberta was led by Ryan Nickifor (third year, left side, Sherwood Park, AB) with 19 kills in 35 chances with a service ace, four digs and a solo block.

Ryley Barnes (fourth year, left side, St. Paul, AB) added 14 kills in 33 swings with four service aces, seven digs and one block assist.  Brent Walsh (third year, setter, Calgary, AB) had 48 assists, eight digs and two block assists.

Davidiuk felt it was a character assessment victory. "We have had a few five setters this year so I know we can do it.  Our libero (Reed May, third year, Scarborough, ON) was steady through the whole match. He is a competitor and a guy you want to look to in those type of situations.  It is not any more building than the other ones but I didn't think we didn't perform well tonight."

The WolfPack had two of their injured players—Brandon Hewwing (fourth year, outside hitter, Calgary, AB) and Nic Balazs (fourth year, middle, Prince George, BC) back in the line up for this one.  "Brandon was back on the floor after a stress fracture and it was good to see Nic back after a long stretch of not being there."

Balazs was named the TRU Bookstore/McDonalds Leader of the Pack Player of the Match. He had five kills in nine swings with four digs, a solo block and five block assists.

TRU was led by Brad Gunter, the CIS Player of the Year.  The fourth year outside hitter from Courtenay, BC had 23 kills in 47 chances with nine digs, a solo block and five block assists.

Randy Grundmann (second year, outside hitter, Winnipeg, MB) had 13 kills in 30 opportuntiies with four digs and a block assist.

Casey Knight (fifth year, outside hitter, Salt Spring Island, BC) had 10 kills in 26 swings with three digs, a service ace and a solo block.

Graham Stoliker (fourth year, setter, Surrey, BC) had 46 assits, five digs, two solo blocks and two block assists while Matt Krueger (fifth year, libero, Abbotsford, BC) had a team high 12 digs.

The two teams will battle it out again Saturday (November 29) at the Tournament Capital Centre.  Game time is 6:45 pm.