Box Score KELOWNA B.C. - Led by the ever-reliable performances of Max Heppell and Noah Carlson, the UBCO Heat men's volleyball team battled the Thompson Rivers WolfPack to a four-set victory on Friday night in the Furnace.
The visiting 'Pack would take the first set, 26-24, after coming back from a six-point deficit when the Heat led 21-15. However, this would be the only set that the Heat would allow TRU to take, as the home squad took the next three 25-18, 31-29, and 25-17.
The Heat were dominant through the entirety of the second set, gaining multiple 10-point leads throughout the set. The WolfPack were denied even the opportunity to tie it up at any point through the set as the Heat put distance between the visitors almost immediately.
The third set would be a close battle for the two squads, with the two teams locked in a back-and-forth exchange for the majority of the set. Eventually, a kill by Max Heppell (Langley, B.C.) and an attack error by the 'Pack would finish off the set, 31-29 for the Heat.
The final set would be a similar story to the second, with the Heat opening up the set with a five-point run and remaining in control of the scoreboard until the end as TRU was once again denied the opportunity for the lead. The set would end with a four-point run for the Heat, sealing the victory with a service ace from Cameron Vanderveen (Abbotsford, B.C.) and a pair of blocks, the first from Renn Petryk (Edmonton) and Caleb Funk (Strathmore, Alta.), and the second from Funk and Heppell to conclude the set at 25-17.
Carlson, of Sylvan Lake, Alta., and Heppell, of Langley, B.C., put up strong performances for the Heat, both finishing the night with 13 kills each. Carlson would also add two service aces, two digs, and three blocks for a total of 17 points, while Heppell contributed four service aces, seven digs, and four blocks in his 19-point night.
TRU would be led by Samuel Elgert's (Edmonton) 22-point night, finishing with 18 kills, 13 digs, and five blocks. Elgert's efforts would be complimented by Sam Flowerday's (Proserpine, Australia) 16-point performance of 15 kills and two blocks.
With the win, the Heat now increase their record to 5-4 while the WolfPack fall to 1-6 on the season.
In President's Cup standings, the Heat maintain their hopes of winning their first men's President's Cup in 25 years with the victory. The annual compeition between the two Interior instituations will come down to Saturday's finale. With a win, TRU will maintain the trophy while a Heat win, plus a win in the tiebreaker (total points in the season series) will give UBCO their first trophy since the 1996-97 season.
The two teams will play their season series finale at 5 p.m. on Saturday night at The Furnace. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.
