WOLFPACK VOLLEYBALL PREPARING FOR HOME OPENER
For immediate release: October 6, 2008
Kamloops-Its home sweet home this weekend for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Volleyball teams. After spending the first two weeks of the Canada West season on the road, the WolfPack will play in the safe confines of the Tournament Capital Center.
TRU will entertain the UBC Thunderbirds in matches Friday and Saturday night (Nov 7-8).
"It will be nice to play in front of a home crowd, " says Mens coach Pat Hennelly. " It should be a good crowd on Friday and I am looking forward to the event."
The WolfPack Men are unbeaten in two starts after sweeping Manitoba. They are facing a UBC Squad which fell twice to Alberta in their opening weekend of play. The defending CIS Champion Golden Bears beat UBC 3-0 and 3-1.
The T-birds, who were at the CIS Nationals last year as well (placing 7 th), are Hennelly's alma mater and he never takes them for granted.
"They are well coached and play tremendous defense, they had a tough weekend in Alberta and I am sure they are itching to play and redeem themselves this weekend. I think it will be a very competitive game. I know this much we will have to play well to beat this team, they have a lot of good young players a strong history and a proud program."
The WolfPack are hoping to have outside hitter Robin Schoebel (3rd year, Monaco) in the lineup this weekend. He missed Saturday's match with a knee hurt. Schoebel is 2nd in the Canada Wests in kills with a 4.20 per set average. He is also third in scoring at 4.40 points per set
UBC is led by Steve Gotch who is 4 th in the Canada West at 3.67 kills per set.
The WolfPack Women will have their hands full. Cal Wohlford's team is 1 and 3. The UBC squad is led by the best blocker percentage wise in the entire Canada West. Marisa field is at 1.27. Claire Hanna is 5th in digs at 3.8 per set.
UBC enters the weekend at 500 with a record of 2 and 2.
"I feel we are improving on all the right things now" says Wohlford. "It's more of executing them more and limiting our errors".
The WolfPack have had three of their key players unavailable. Anna Dyakiewicz (2nd year, Burnaby, BC) and Michella Domo (2nd year, Vancouver BC) are still serving the remaining time of their U.S. College eligibility requirements. Kelly Asleson (2nd year, leftside, Richmond, BC) is hoping to return after missing the first two weeks recovering from whip lash.
"There a good chance of Kelly getting some court time," Wohlford states "But Danni (Bercelli, 4th year, outside hitter, Jundiai, Brazil) has stepped it up and is doing a good job for us on the right side." Wohlford hopes Dyakiewicz will be able to play Saturday,
The WolfPack bench boss is confident that being on home court might translate into a victory or two for his young side. "The girls have come a long way and are playing some good ball even if the win loses don't show it .They are playing some exciting volleyball."
The Matches Friday night could have a carnival like atmosphere. The Beattie School of the Arts High School band and dancers have been invited to perform. So too are the Kamloops Taiko Drummers. There will be a special presentation between matches honoring the CCAA National champion TRU WolfPack Golf Team. And, since McDonalds is the sponsor of the weekend matches, there will be contests like a Big Mac eating speed drill.
"We have already played in front of large crowds this year," says Hennelly " 850 in Quesnel, it was very loud with a lot of things going on, Laval had 1200 fans and a very intense environment. We had 800 fans for our pre season match versus Calgary. The bottom line is we are training to play in these environments leading up to play offs and even hosting in 2010. I look for events and games that will have a lot of fans to season our team for big crowds."
The Match times Friday and Saturday are 6 pm and 730 pm.
