Host TRU WolfPack grabs bronze at McDonald's International tournament

by Larry Read, Thompson Rivers U Sports Info

KAMLOOPS, B.C. - The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have captured the bronze medal at their own McDonald's International Men's Volleyball Tournament. The WolfPack downed the Trinity Western Spartans 3-2 at the TRU Gym on Monday, by scores of 30-28,25-22,17-25,19-25,15-12.

The match has added another chapter to what is becoming one of the great rivalries in Canada West involving the two schools.

TWU-TRU McDonald's Tournament bronze medal summary

"The young guys really came through for us," said WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly. TRU started first year middle Alex Davis (White Rock, BC) along with fellow freshman Colin Carson (setter, Prince George, BC). In addition, Hennelly sat Kevin Tillie (first year, left side, Cagnes Sur Mer, France) after two sets. "Really, we wanted to give some guys a last look before we started the second half of the year."

After winning the first two sets, Trinity Western battled back. Spartans head coach Ben Josephson took the same approach as Hennelly by dressing a line up filled with youngsters and vets playing unfamiliar positions.

Josephson felt that by doing that: it makes his overall roster stronger as Trinity goes into the second half of the Canada West campaign. "It's a long season. Lots of bumps and bruises. Look at Calgary this weekend, they played without four starters. A good team will compensate for those losses. But they have to be prepared to fill in the gaps. Games like this are good for that. Young guys need to play in that game environment."

The fifth and deciding set see sawed before a combined block at the net by Mike Hammond (3rd year, middle, Barrie, Ont) and Carson resulted in the winning point.

The WolfPack wre led by Behlul Yavasgel (5th year, outside hitter, Aydin, Turkey). Yavasgel had 18 kills in 38 opportunities. He also had a service ace, five digs and four block assists.

Tillie added 11 hits in 20 swings with a service ace and five digs in his limited stint. Carson had 45 assists, two solo blocks, two block assists and four digs.

Trinity had three players in double figures in kills. Mikiah Schalk (4th year, left side, Red Deer, Alta) had 16 in 38 opportunities. He also had eight digs and seven block assists. Paul Lindemulder (2nd year, left side, Calgary) and Brad Kufske (1st year, outside hitter, Abbotsford, BC) each had 11 kills. Lindemulder was 11 for 21 with three digs and three block assists. Kufske was 11 for 29 with five digs and one block assist.

Spartans setter Ben Ball (3rd year, Abbotsford, BC) had 45 assists.

Side Outes
The WolfPack played the match without two of their top players. Gord Perrin (3rd year, outside hitter, Creston, BC) was rested after hurting his fingers against Pepperdine on Sunday. The X-Ray was negative, but Hennelly decided to sit him out to rest him for this coming weekend's Canada West matches in Manitoba. Robin Schoebel (4th, outside hitter, Monaco) also watched the match from the bench. He is coming back after missing the entire first half of the season with knee problems.

For the second time in three years, the Pepperdine University Wave of California are the champions tournament. The Wave downed the Dalhousie Tigers of Halifax, NS 3-0 to take the 2010 title. The scores were 25-15,25-23,25-21. The Wave won the inaugural tournament in 2008.

Trinity Western returns to play this weekend (Jan 8-9) against defending CIS champion Alberta Golden Bears.

The WolfPack and Spartans will play each other in Canada West action February 12 th and 13 th in Kamloops.