MRU – The Mount Royal Cougars opened their regular season Friday night against the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack, as a large crowd gathered at Kenyon Court to take in the Canada West volleyball action. Both teams looked to make an early statement as they began their regular-season campaigns.
Fifth-year Cougars Megan Jones and Aurora Bentrim led the way early in the opening set, helping Mount Royal build a 13-9 advantage and force a Thompson Rivers timeout. The Wolfpack responded after the break, with outside hitter Keira Gent helping trim the deficit to one point. Mount Royal outside hitter Awien Ngor helped the Cougars maintain their advantage before Thompson Rivers mounted another push late in the set. Outside hitters Hail Ward and Rida Erlalelitepe helped the Wolfpack close the gap, setting up a tight finish. Bentrim came through for Mount Royal down the stretch, securing a 25-23 win in the opening set.
Ward helped Thompson Rivers gain early momentum in the second set, contributing to the Wolfpack’s lead. Mount Royal responded with kills from Bentrim and Jones, cutting into the deficit as the Cougars looked to regain control. Middle Faith Obasi then sparked Mount Royal’s push, helping the Cougars close the gap and force a Thompson Rivers timeout with the Wolfpack leading 11-9. Cougar transfers Norah Matthews and Erika Bang made an impact in their Mount Royal debuts, delivering several key plays as the Cougars attempted to claw their way back into the set. Thompson Rivers held off the rally, closing out a 25-19 second-set win to level the match at one set apiece.
The third set opened with contributions from key players on either side, as Jones, Bentrim and Ngor continued to lead Mount Royal while Ward, Gent and Erlalelitepe answered for Thompson Rivers. Powerful kills were traded back and forth, keeping the score close through much of the set. Bang delivered a kill, her eighth of the night, to extend Mount Royal’s lead to 19-15 and force a Thompson Rivers timeout. The Wolfpack responded out of the break, stringing together a run of points to erase the deficit and shift the momentum late in the set. Thompson Rivers carried that surge through to the finish, taking the third set 25-22 and moving ahead 2-1 in the match.
Bang continued to lead Mount Royal’s offence in the fourth set as the Cougars looked to force a deciding fifth set. Gent and Ward answered with key kills for Thompson Rivers, helping the Wolfpack maintain pressure as Mount Royal attempted to rally late. The visitors held firm down the stretch, closing out the fourth set to secure a 3-1 victory over the Cougars in their season opener.
Player of the Game: #16 Fiona Brown earned Player of the Game honours for Mount Royal, leading the Cougars defensively with 16 digs in the match.
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