TRU volleyball victorious in emotional return to action

The Thompson Rivers University men’s volleyball team was back in action last night as they took on the University of Winnipeg Wesmen.

The game marked the team’s first match since Owyn McInnis was killed and Owen Waterhouse and Riley Brinnen suffered “life-altering injuries” in a multi-vehicle accident near TRU at the end of November.

Members of the WolfPack banded together, defeating the Wesmen in Winnipeg for the first time in a decade.

🏐 MVB | It was about so much more than a win last night.

📺 @UWLarkins / @Wesmenathletics #PlayForThePack pic.twitter.com/zRasqCRcZ5

— TRU WolfPack 🐺 (@GoTRUWolfPack) January 6, 2024

Numerous players shined against the Wesmen, playing some of the best volleyball they had all season.

The ‘Pack went on a 7-2 run at the end of the first set to take the initial victory, overcoming a slim Wesmen lead.

Sam Flowerday tallied 16 kills in the win, with two important scores coming at the end of the first set.

Flowerday kept the ‘Pack neck and neck with the Wesmen in the second set, before Matthew Hamilton sealed the second-set victory.

Hamilton played one of his best games as a member of the WolfPack, accumulating 17 kills, two aces, five blocks and eight digs.

After a Winnipeg third-set victory, TRU pushed onward in the fourth set, going on a 13-5 mid-set run and taking the win.

🏐 MVB FINAL | What a win. What a special, special group.#FearTheWolf pic.twitter.com/HWsDvLxteT

— TRU WolfPack 🐺 (@GoTRUWolfPack) January 6, 2024

Rylan Ibbetson added 14 kills while Sam Elgert notched 54 assists in four sets of play.

"That was for two, 15 and 19,” said head coach Pat Hennelly, referencing the jersey numbers of McInnis, Waterhouse and Brinnen.

A celebration of life for Owyn McInnis is scheduled to be held this upcoming Wednesday at the Tournament Capital Centre gym.