What a difference a year makes.  In 2014-15, the MacEwan University Griffins took both of their Canada West women's volleyball regular season matches with the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack.

This year, the results changed 180 degrees.

The WolfPack swept the visiting Griffins in both matches this weekend. On Saturday (Oct 24) at the Tournament Capital Centre, TRU won 3-1. The scores were 25-18,25-9,21-25,25-14.    Both teams have moved to .500 in league play at 2-2.

Thompson Rivers head coach Chad Grimm entered the match on Saturday hoping to see more consistency from his troops.  "I don't think we were as smooth as we were yesterday (a 3-0 victory). I thought yesterday that we were quite smooth. What I did like was that after the third set we found a way to turn it around. I think last year that was a struggle. If we got ahead and then dropped a set, I think we thought we lost our chance to win. Today, we showed more maturity and confidence in turning things back our way."

Is the difference having a year under their belts, or is it the chemistry with some new faces? "I think is a little bit of both," he explains "The bulk of the girls on the floor were there last year. I think that helps a lot just knowing what their jobs are. I think they have more confidence and trust in each other."

Thompson Rivers was again led by Canada West and CIS All-star Iullia Pakhomenko (4^th year, outside hitter, Donetsk, Ukraine).  She had 21 kills in 43 swings with an assist, two service aces, four digs, a solo block and a block assist.

Kaitlin Lomas (3^rd year, middle, Ponoka, AB) had nine kills in 14 opportunities with a dig, two solo blocks and three block assists. She was named the "McDonalds/TRU Bookstore Leader of the Pack player of the match'.

"I think Kaitlin has evolved every year," her coach says. "Her volleyball IQ has increased a lot. Her strength has gotten better. Her timing is better. I think Kaitlin is still scratching the surface of her potential. She is definitely starting to earn her way into being one of the most dominant middles in the Canada West if she keeps up her trajectory of improvement."

Alina Sopizhuk (4^th year, outside hitter, Donetsk, Ukraine) added eight kills in 20 chances with two service aces, six digs and three block assists.  Katie Woo (4^th year, setter, Surrey, BC) added 40 assists, two service aces and six digs.   Alyssa Wolf (5^th year, libero, South Surrey, BC) had a team high 17 digs.

MacEwan was led by Cassidy Kinsella (3^rd year, outside hitter, Leduc, AB) with 12 kills in 41 chances with seven digs and two block assists. Claire McLaughlin  (3^rd year, setter, Campbell River, BC)  had 27 assists.  Zoe Cronin (2^nd year, libero, Hamilton City, NZ) had a team high eight digs.

The WolfPack continue their home stand as they entertain the University of Calgary Dinos on October 30 and 31 st at the Warner Rentals Court at the Tournament Capital Centre.

"Being at home—it's important to take care of business at home," said Grimm about the upcoming weekend. "Calgary is a tough team. We will have to continue to play consistent if we want to have a good chance of them. It'll be a good challenge for us."

MacEwan visits Manitoba next weekend.