CAMROSE, AB - Battling for over two hours to end 2021 on a high note, the GPRC Wolves came back to defeat the University of Alberta, Augustana Vikings 3-2 (15-25, 26-24, 19-25, 25-19, 15-10), Sunday afternoon at Augustana Gym.

With the win, the Wolves improve to a 3-5 record to end 2021 tied with the Lakeland Rustlers for fourth place in the North Division with six points. Meanwhile, the Vikings remain in sixth place, just two points ahead of the Concordia Thunder.

Getting off to a hot start, the Vikings mustered up a 7 unanswered point lead to start the match, forcing the Wolves to call a timeout. Coming out of the time out, the visitors managed to earn their first point off a Vikings service error and later go on a five-point run. However, the early lead helped the Vikings take the first set, 25-15.

Exchanging points to the second, the wolves managed to gain the upper hand and take a slim 9-6 early. With the home side still hoping to take a two-set lead, they battled back to even the score at 23, but a few errors cost them the set, as the Wolves win, 26-24.

All even after two sets and fighting to regain control, the Vikings exchanged points once again with the wolves to start the third set. However, with a burst of offense, the Vikings found themselves up by six, 22-16, and hanging on to take the set, 25-19.

Looking to survive, the Wolves jumped out to a 4-0 lead early. Able to keep the lead throughout and they would go on to snag the set win due to a Vikings kill error from Evan Richard, 25-19.

Heading into a fifth and deciding set, the Wolves get out to a 7-4 lead. The Vikings later found themselves down 13-6, before they found a small bit of momentum, keeping the Wolves from match point and forcing them to call a timeout, 13-9. However, the service errors continued for the home side as they put the wolves at match point coming out of the break. A big kill from Wolves second-year Justice Bigstone was unable to be controlled, ending the game two hours and nine minutes, 15-10.

Both teams will have to wait until the new year to take to the court again in regular-season action. The Vikings will take on King's College in a home-and-home series on January 14th and 15th, starting in Camrose. Meanwhile, the Wolves will battle it out with NAIT. Catch all the action on ACACTV!