Box Score Mount Royal splits weekend set with WolfPack
Brendan Stasiewich, Mount Royal Cougars Sports Information
CALGARY, AB- The Thompson Rivers WolfPack split their weekend set with Mount Royal after winning a thrilling match on Saturday evening on Kenyon Court in five sets (21-25, 25-18, 25-20, 22-25, 15-13).
Iulia Pakhomenko dominated the game for the WolfPack, registering 28 kills. Meanwhile Taylor Pelland had a strong game for the Cougars, picking up 17 kills in a losing effort.
The first set was highly competitive as the lead was traded back and fourth after each long thrilling rally. In similar fashion to the night before, Iulia Pakhomenko was the strongest player on the floor for the WolfPack, registering four kills during the set.
Attempting to pull away, up 21-20, Alex Donaghy and Nicky Zalasky managed to send two hits past Wolf Pack defenders on back-to-back plays to take a three-point lead. That was all the insurance the Cougars would need, taking the first set 25-21 moments later.
The WolfPack came out firing in the second set, jumping out to a 16-8 lead. While Pakhomenko continued her strong effort, teammate Alina Sopizhuk also had a strong performance, pitching in a few key points for the WolfPack.
With the score tied 20-12 the two teams embarked in the longest rally of the game. The rally, which lasted well over a minute, came to an end when Pakhomenko sent yet another spike down that the Cougars couldn't handle.
Mount Royal valiantly clawed back into the set, as Taylor Pelland and Nicky Zalasky made two great plays in a row to pull the Cougars within 4. However that was as close as the Cougars would come. TRU took the next three points, winning their first set of the weekend 25-18.
The Cougars appeared to come out stronger in the third set, maintaining a three-point advantage for most of the game. However, the WolfPack weren't going away, and would go on a four point run on the strength of two Pakhomenko kills to go up 17-16.
Preventing a Mount Royal comeback, TRU won 11 of the last 15 points to take the second set 25-20.
A well played fourth set saw both teams go back and fourth exchanging points, much like the third. The jousting continued until both teams were tied at 20.
A few points later with Mount Royal up 23-22, Taylor Pelland, who was the strongest player on the court for Mount Royal on the night, sent down her 14th kill of the game. The Cougars then managed to take the next point as well to extend the match with a 25-22 fourth set win.
The beginning of the fifth and deciding set also went back and fourth as both teams were tied at two, four and six early on. Before trading sides, TRU would win two points in a row to take an 8-6 lead.
As was the case all game long, Mount Royal would rally and took the next two points to equal the set at eight.
Down 11-10, Alex Donaghy made a terrific tip over the top of two WolfPack defenders to equal the game at 11, and then, after a WolfPack point, made a great kill to equal the game at 12.
The player who had dominated most of the night for the WolfPack controlled the final few points. Pakhomenko, who had more kills during the game than the six Cougars on the court combined to finish the game, sent down a kill and then made a great block to give her team a double match point opportunity.
With the score 14-13, the ball was set up to Pakhomenko, who for the 28th time, sent the ball down and past the Cougar defenders.
The win equals Mount Royal and Thompson Rivers in the standings, with both teams sitting at a 6-8 record.
Mount Royal will get some extra rest next weekend as they're on a bye. Meanwhile, Thompson Rivers will return home to take on the Saskatchewan Huskies.
Photo Credit: Adrian Shellard
