MVB - The Mount Royal Cougars opened their regular season Friday night against the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack, with both teams looking to make an early statement in Canada West play. Mount Royal entered the season ranked fourth in the conference coaches poll, while Thompson Rivers was ranked sixth.

Fifth-year outside hitter Michael McAlpine made an early impact, recording a kill and a service ace as the Cougars jumped out to a 7-2 lead and forced a Wolfpack timeout. First-year outside hitters Elliott Rourke and Mostafa Tayea helped Thompson Rivers respond offensively, but Mount Royal maintained control of the set. Dylan Annala added two kills to extend the lead to 18-11 before Grant Hill and Isaac Karstad helped close out a 25-13 opening-set win.

In the second set, Kale Orr stepped up offensively for Mount Royal, recording several kills to keep the Cougars in front. Tayea continued to provide an answer for Thompson Rivers, helping the Wolfpack stay within striking distance. Neither side managed to create much separation as the score reached 12-12 near the midway point. Orr delivered two late kills to help Mount Royal establish a 22-19 advantage, prompting Thompson Rivers to call a timeout. Third-year outside hitter Alex Howard worked to keep the Wolfpack in contention, but the Cougars maintained their advantage and closed out the set 25-21 to take a two-set lead.

The third set opened with both teams trading kills and keeping the score close. McAlpine and Orr continued to contribute offensively for Mount Royal, while Tayea and Howard helped Thompson Rivers match the Cougars point for point. The Wolfpack began to pull away behind second-year middle Daniel Hitchens, building an 18-14 lead and forcing a Mount Royal timeout.

The Cougars responded by cutting the deficit to 22-21, prompting Thompson Rivers to call a timeout of its own. Tayea remained a key presence for the Wolfpack, delivering crucial kills down the stretch. He recorded his 13th kill of the match to help Thompson Rivers close out a 25-22 third-set win and stay in contention.

Mount Royal responded in the fourth set, building an early lead through contributions across the lineup. The Cougars continued to find offensive production from multiple players, maintaining their advantage as they moved closer to closing out the match. Karstad, Annala and McAlpine helped anchor the frontline down the stretch as Mount Royal secured a 25-18 fourth-set win and a 3-1 victory over Thompson Rivers in its season opener.

Player of the Game: #15 Calum Stewart who was a steady presence for the Cougars throughout the match, finishing with 10 kills to help Mount Royal secure the 3-1 victory over Thompson Rivers in their season opener.