Photo credit Andrew Snucins / Courtesy Thompson Rivers sports information

KAMLOOPS, B.C. (CIS) – The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack had very little difficulty advancing to the 5 th/6th match at the 2010 CIS Men’s Volleyball Championships.

Championship website (including complete stats): http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball
 
The WolfPack took advantage of a demoralized Dalhousie University Tigers squad as they beat the AUS champions in three straight sets.  The scores were 25-18,25-15,25-16.  The result means TRU will meet up with Queen’s on Sunday (Mar 14).   Both squads were coming off opening round losses on Friday (Mar 12). For Dalhousie, it was especially difficult after they were up 2-0 on the University of Calgary Dinos before falling 3-2.  TRU was up 1-0 on the University of Alberta Golden Bears before falling 3-1.

“They certainly weren’t themselves,” said WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly about his opposition today. “ They had less time to get over the emotional let down.  Obviously, they were a top five team in the country and had the same goals that we had: to be on the top side of the draw. I thought we came out a little more focused. I told them that playing before friends and family, they had to be proud to wear the uniform.”

TRU had three players in double figures in kills.  Player of the match Kevin Tillie (1st year, left side, Cagnes Sur Mer, France) had 11.  Gord Perrin (3rd year, outside hitter, Creston, BC) and Robin Schoebel (4th year, outside hitter, Monaco) each had 10 kills.   Setter Colin Carson (1st year, Prince George, BC)  had 32 assists.

“You would like to think guys would recover after a loss like last nites,” stated Tigers head coach Dan Ota. “Credit to TRU, they had a tough loss as well but they came out and played absolutely great.  I was impressed by their group.  I think for whatever reason this year,  our guys and myself thought we had a chance to medal. Sometimes when your expectations are so high and you fall a little short it is very demoralizing and its tough to regroup and play your best.”

Max Burt (4th year, middle, Gander, NL) had seven kills. Aaaron Binstock (4th year, outside hitter, Thornhill,Ont) had six kills and five digs.

The WolfPack will meet up with Queen’s at 1 pm PST on Sunday.

STATS LEADERS

Thompson Rivers
Kills: Kevin Tillie (11), Gord Perrin (10), Robin Schoebel (10)
Blocks: Gord Perrin (1)
Digs: Robin Schoebel (6), Kevin Tillie (5)
Assists: Colin Carson (32)
 
BlackBerry player of the match: Kevin Tillie
 
Montreal
Kills: Max Burt (7) Aaron Binstock (6)
Blocks: none
Digs: Aaron Binstock (5), Sander Ratsep (5)
Assists: Angus Rhuland (22)
 
SCHEDULE & RESULTS (all times LOCAL: Pacific Time)

Friday, March 12

Quarter-final #1: Laval 3, Montreal 0 (25-20, 25-20,, 25-18)
15:00 Quarter-final #2: Trinity Western 3  Queen’s (25-19,15-23,25-19)
18:00 Quarter-final #3: Alberta 3  Thompson Rivers 1  (25-21,20-25,20-25,22-25)
20:00 Quarter-final #4: Calgary 3  Dalhousie 2  (21-25,24-26,25-20,25-19,16-14)

Saturday, March 13

13:00 Consolation #1: Queen’s 3 Montreal 1 (27-29,22-25,25-16,24-26)
15:00 Consolation #2: Thompson Rivers 3  Dalhousie 0 (25-18,25-15,25-16)
18:00 Semi-final #1: Laval vs. Trinity Western  (SSN Canada)
20:00 Semi-final #2: Alberta vs. Calgary (SSN Canada)

Sunday, March 14

13:00 5th/6th place: Queen’s vs Thompson Rivers (SSN Canada Live Feed)
15:00 Bronze medal (SSN Canada)
18:00 Championship final (SSN Canada)

-CIS-