MacEwan Athletics and TRU Athletics

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Star German import Tim Dobbert proved to be too much for the MacEwan Griffins to overcome as they fell 3-1 to Thompson Rivers University in their Canada West season opener on Friday night.

Dobbert, who transferred to the WolfPack this season from NCAA institution Brigham Young University, had 19 kills, four service aces, two digs and was in on six blocks as TRU won 25-22, 25-15, 23-25, 27-25.

"We had some good things tonight. Some bad. But we couldn't stop the big German," said MacEwan head coach Brad Poplawski.

"I liked that we battled back from 2-0. We had some swings to push it to five. They made two unbelievable plays and showed some resilience. I liked the fact we had four first year players on the floor."

Rookie setter Caleb Weiss led the Griffins with 15 assists as he split time with second-year Jonathan Mohler, who had 13 assists. Freshmen Jordan Krause (six digs) and Ryan Zachary (five kills) also played in all four sets, while rookie middle Liam Huth (two block assists) played in three.

Fourth-year outside hitter Kai Hesthammer led the Griffins with 10 kills and seven digs. Third-year middle Max Vriend was in on six blocks to pace MacEwan.

Besides Dobbert, TRU got 11 kills out of Josh Mullaney and 10 from Randy Grundmann, while fifth-year setter Alex Cassels had 42 assists and 10 digs.

"I thought we did a good job of composure and pushing the game," said TRU head coach Pat Hennelly. "I thought we did a bad job at times of being complacent and waiting.

"We got some lessons and things we have to work on. Big crowd. The guys battling nerves. I was proud of the way the guys came through and a big play by Isaac Smit at the end."

The teams will meet in the rematch on Saturday night in Kamloops, B.C. (7:45 p.m. MT, Canada West TV).