The TRU WolfPack men's volleyball team knows better than to feel too excited about its play on opening weekend.

The WolfPack swept the UBC-Okanagan Heat in a home-and-home series to open the Canada West regular season. TRU won in three sets in Kamloops on Friday, before winning in four (25-17, 21-25, 25-22, 25-18) in Kelowna on Saturday.

TRU couldn't have asked for a better weekend, but it knows how much things can change. Last season, the WolfPack beat the playoff-bound Calgary Dinos in a match on opening weekend, but still wound up 3-17 and last in the conference.

"It's guarded optimism," said WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly on Sunday. "UBC-Okanagan got the last playoff spot last year . . . and to win two in a row and continue our strong play from the (exhibition) Thunderball tournament, it's definitely reason to be optimistic.

"It's something to build on."

The WolfPack will play its next four matches on the road, starting Friday and Saturday against the Bobcats in Brandon. TRU also will play the Trinity Western Spartans in Langley on Nov. 9-10, before returning to the Tournament Capital Centre to play the Alberta Golden Bears on Nov. 16-17.

After last season, Hennelly worked to build up the WolfPack's depth, and it was needed on Saturday. Rookie outside Philip Ozari sprained an ankle, forcing Hennelly to sub in Stuart Richey.

"I was really happy with (Richey) - he came in and stabilized things," Hennelly said. "We talk about our depth - we had to use it already."

Brad Gunter had 14 kills and 12 digs for the WolfPack, which got 11 kills from Mohamed Abdel Rehim and 10 from Hardy Wooldridge. Setter Colin Carson had an outstanding game, Hennelly said, and had 41 assists and 10 digs.

"(Rehim) played very well. Offensively, he was a force," Hennelly said. "When we needed a point, they knew we were going to set (Rehim), and he would still get the kill.

"Colin Carson did a nice job of finding guys. Hardy Wooldridge and Brad Gunter had moments on offence, but Carson really moved it around well."

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The WolfPack women's volleyball team slipped to 0-2 in Canada West after a three-set (25-17, 25-14, 25-12) loss to the Heat in Kelowna on Saturday.

TRU is off to Brandon on Friday and Saturday.

Katarina Osadchuk had seven kills to lead the WolfPack, which also got 16 assists from setter Katie Woo.

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TRU got back on track in the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League, beating Trinity Western 5-2 at Memorial Arena on Saturday night.

The victory leaves TRU 3-2 ahead of its next games, scheduled for Friday and Saturday against the visiting Selkirk Saints. The Saints defeated the WolfPack 11-0 and 8-1 on Oct. 19-20 in Castlegar.

Tyler Jackson and Curtis Tonello each scored twice for TRU, which got a goal and two assists from Nathan Michaels. Riley Wall made 22 saves in the victory.

Douglas Gordon and Brody Hemrich scored for Trinity Western, which got 37 saves from Tim Zwiers.

mhunter@kamloopsnews.ca