Box Score KELOWNA, B.C. - The UBC Okanagan Heat women's volleyball fell to the Thompson Rivers WolfPack in five sets (25-27, 25-10, 17-25, 25-22 and 13-15) on Saturday night, splitting their weekend double-header weekend with their rivals from Kamloops.
The WolfPack, who were winless coming into the match, jumped on the Heat early as they captured the opening set from the hosts. The Heat found momentum in the second set, taking the first four points before they cruised to a comfortable 15-point victory to even the match.
In the third set, the Heat's lack of energy allowed TRU to respond with their own set win, as they moved within one set of their first win of the season.
After UBCO rebounded again to capture the fourth set, UBCO's energy doubled through the fifth and final set. Starting off with some solid front-row blocks from Sadie Taylor-Parks and Madelyn Hettinga, both of Kelowna, B.C., that left the 'Pack looking for answers. However, the Heat lost momentum after a missed serve and lost their lead.
After switching sides at the 8 point mark, the Heat found themselves down three points and struggled to make an attack around the middle/setter double block from the TRU 'Pack. While the Heat tried to rally late, they ran out of time and dropped their second contest of the year.
Brooklyn Olfert, a first-year arts student from Winnipeg, Man., contributed 11 digs and 16 kills for a total of 19 points to lead the visitors to their first win of the year.
Meanwhile, Sydney Grills of Vancouver, B.C., posted a game-high 22 kills while Hettinga added 12 to pace the Heat's attack.
With the loss, the Heat drop to 6-2 on the year and now sit one game back of the Trinity Western Spartans for first place in the Canada West West division.
The Heat return to the court on Friday, February 4th at 3 p.m., in Langley, B.C., against the aforementioned Spartans. The game can be seen live on CanadaWest.tv.
