The 2013 portion of this Canada West season has been an uphill climb for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s volleyball team. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Keith Lundgren-head coach of the WolfPack (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] After going through the 2012-13 season without experiencing a victory,  The WolfPack have suffered the same fate through 12 matches of this current campaign. But Coach Keith Lundgren is seeing some positivity.  “I think we are growing offensively. Our setter (Katie Woo, 2^nd year, Surrey, BC) was able to generate 10 assists in a match on our last weekend. That is a good sign. We also generated 16 kills in a set which was a season high for us. Our outsides also generated a positive hitting efficiency in the last weekend with a hitting percentage average around 17 per cent.  This was the first time we were able to sustain this level of play as well. We still have to learn to compete harder when the score is close late in a set.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="407"] Katie Woo works with Keith Lundgren (Allen Douglas photo)[/caption] The WolfPack did garner 20 points in a set four times during the first half of the season.  “ We are earning more points now compared to the beginning of the year,” he says. “ We still have to get better at earning points, but it is a good sign that is improving. We still have to work on reducing our attack errors. We are making too many errors for the number of swings we are taking. " [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Julia Niewmczewska (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] Lundgren believes the team’s strengths lie when they pass well.  “We also seem to be able to hold our own with our blocking and back row defense.  That is not at the consistent level we expect but it is getting there. We are starting to get more kills. We need to generate more of them in order to start winning.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Brianne Rauch (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] The coach singles out three players for their play during the 12 matches.  “Brianne Rauch (2^nd year, outside hitter, Kimberley, BC) has been playing well for us in the passing and hitting departments. She finished the first half very well.   Kaitlin Lomas (1^st year, middle, Ponoka, AB) has been contributing in her first year which has been great. She is blocking well and can generate an effective offense for us from time to time which is great coming from a first year player.  Kristen Giesbrecht (2^nd year, Gretna, MB) was moved to the left side on our last weekend of league play and played great with her passing and offense. We are excited to see her continue her combination in this position next semester.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="367"] Kristen Giesbrecht (Allen Douglas photo)[/caption] Lundgren adds that the goal for the second half of the year is pretty straight forward:  “To keep improving every day. We need to be more consistent with our execution. When we have a lead we need to keep training to keep the lead and to talk with our leaders about finishing. I would like to see someone step up and finish for us in a match next semester.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Kaitlin Lomas (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] The WolfPack have three matches at home (Brandon, Trinity Western, Manitoba) in the second half with two on the road (Winnipeg and Regina”.  “It is a very tough Canada West league this season,” Lundgren states. “Every team is tough. We have to bring out best every night we play regardless of our opponent.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="333"] Morgan Kolsasa (Andrew Snucins photo)[/caption] The ‘Pack will return to action on Friday January 10 th at the TRU Gym against the Brandon University Bobcats.  Game time is 6 pm.