KAMLOOPS, B.C. - In a matchup that would determine the winner of the 2023-24 men's Presidents' Cup trophy, the UBC Okanagan Heat men's volleyball team gave the Thompson Rivers WolfPack all they could handle before falling in five riveting sets (22-25, 25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 8-15) on Saturday night.
The first set was a warmup for the Heat as they kept the WolfPack on their toes keeping even until a late four-point run from the 'Pack proved to be what they needed to take the opening set.
Brushing off that first set loss the Heat proved they were here to play. They dominated in the second set capitalizing on WolfPack errors and a long serve streak from Cade Hudson. Following a WolfPack error, the third-year setter went on a nine-point serving streak proving to be what his team needed to capture the set 25-20.
Using the momentum from their big second-set victory, UBCO wasted no time gaining an early lead over the 'Pack. Once again capitalizing on errors the Heat managed to double their lead, and sealed the deal with a big set point swing from third-year Zach van Geel of Calgary, who has converted from setter to outside hitter over the past couple of games.
Teo Ardanaz of Tsawwassen, B.C., left it all out on the court tonight as he put up three straight blocks in the third set to get an early lead for his team. The veteran middle set a program record for block assists on Friday night and added six more to his tally in this contest.
Despite the team's tremendous efforts, the WolfPack came back to capture the last two sets of the night and take the match and the Presidents' Cup.
TOP PERFORMERS
Cade Hudson - UBCO Heat
The third-year setter put on a performance tonight, leading his team with 33 assists, and a nine-point serve streak where he tallied his fifth service ace of the season
Sam Flowerday - TRU Wolfpack
The third-year outside hitter was nearly stoppable for the hosts, finishing with 23 kills and eight digs while hitting an impressive .353.
WHERE THEY STAND
The loss drops the Heat to 1-17 on the season while the WolfPack add another to their win streak, finishing the weekend at 9-7.
PRESIDENTS' CUP UPDATE
With the win, Thompson Rivers captures the men's Presidents' Cup for the first time since 2019-20. They outlasted the Heat with a 4-2 record in 2023-24 in head-to-head matchups in soccer, basketball and volleyball
UP NEXT
The Heat are on the road again next weekend as they travel to Manitoba to go up against the Brandon Bobcats. Their first game is on Friday, January 26th and the first serve is set for 5 p.m. Pacific. Fans can catch the action live on CanadaWest.tv.
