The week leading to the final home games/matches of the year are always a time to reflect for a veteran student athlete.
Such is the case this week with four members of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men's volleyball team.  That is the scenario facing Tim Dobbert (Aichelberg, Germany), Tim Edge (Langley, BC) along with Cole Hanson and Isaac Smit (both Kelowna, BC).   The four are seeing their university athletic eligibility wind down.

Dobbert has only been with the WolfPack for two seasons but his impact on the program has been dramatic.  He has constantly been the biggest offensive weapon on the floor with Thompson Rivers in each of the matches he has played.

"I have really enjoyed the last two years," the 6'10" outside hitter explains.  "Seeing the guys develop and actually having a chance to make it far (in the playoffs)."
Dobbert had finished his NCAA career with Brigham Young University in Utah and said everything about  Thompson Rivers appealed to him. " First, I made a connection with Pat (head coach Hennelly),  I liked him right away and liked his plan for the following two years.  Kamloops is a smaller town.  The university is more relaxed and the teachers have more time for you (comparing it to BYU)."

The big German is quick to comment on the differences he found between NCAA and U SPORTS volleyball. " The level of play isn't that much different. I would say there is more pressure in the NCAA because of the money involved.  As a student/athlete, you really feel it. I would say here they take more care of you personally.  Emotional wise and your body aches you can take some time off during the season. In the NCAA, during the season they expect a lot from you.  I think it might be something that just TRU has—they take care of my body. If I don't feel well, I don't have to do anything. There is no pressure-no strings attached."

Since Dobbert arrived at TRU, he has been the 'face' of the program being featured on posters and garnering a lot of media attention. It's something he had to adjust to. "Definitely a new experience. I have enjoyed it. It is kind of fun but at the same time you do feel some pressure sometimes when it comes to the games.  My second year especially when I could see where I am standing in the league and what I could do. There has been some pressure when it comes to an expectation for me.  But that comes with it.  Overall, I think the team did a great job of not making me feel like a celebrity which I like a lot. I am just part of the team and that is just perfect for me."

All of the athletes admit the travelling and studying have been challenges.  " It was a little tougher this year because I took four classes instead of three," stated Dobbert.  " I enjoy my classes and was more engaged so that was a benefit.  Pat was very flexible to give us time.  He always says school is first and then its volleyball."
 
Edge had some injury problems during his five years with the WolfPack. " I believe I became a better player over the five years.  I attribute the progress to Pat and my teammates."
Off the court, Edge was involved in the PACE program—which is designed to help student/athletes succeed in the classroom.  He himself, is on pace to be a three time U SPORTS Academic All Canadian.  The past two summers, he has been an instructor at the very popular EUREKA Science camp which runs at Thompson Rivers.

"It has certainly gone fast," says Smit.  " It was quite an adjustment moving away but the whole experience is one that I wouldn't trade. What has made it special especially this year has been how close we (the team) have been."

Smit was recruited as a libero but switched this season to a position he played in club and high school: outside hitter.  "I might be the shortest outside hitter in Canada," laughs the 5'11" Bachelor of Business Administration student.  " I thank Pat for giving me the chance to play it this year. I think I have come in and helped the team."

"It has been an awesome experience being with this group,' Hanson said about his five years with Thompson Rivers.  "What is special this year is the general cohesiveness. Its uncommon among most teams.  If we focus in on each game, we could definitely go somewhere in the post season."

"We do get along very well," explains Dobbert. " Some people say it might be a problem too because they feel we can be too nice to each other on the court.  Its like we don't want to get into each others ways.  We did lack on pushing each other on the court a little bit earlier but we have worked around it. We have the trust in each other and we get positive energy from that."

Smit, Hanson and Edge have been here their entire university careers.  They wanted to acknowledge veteran players who took time with them their first season and passed on that knowledge to the current crop of WolfPack.  Hanson pointed to Nic Balasz (Prince George, BC),  Edge looked to Brandon Hewwing (Calgary, AB) while Smit pointed to Matt Krueger (Abbotsford, BC).
All of the four players have enjoyed the chance to explore the 'community' aspect of being a student/athlete at Thompson Rivers.

"I have really enjoyed the Raise a Reader event,"Smit says. "Getting up early. It's cold. Being with the guys and raising money for a great cause.

As for their future plans, Dobbert plans to take at least six months off to travel South America and then return to Canada to pursue a career related to his Masters of Business,  Edge expects to move back to the Fraser Valley with his Arts Degree,  Hanson has applied to pharmacy school at both UBC and the University of Alberta while Smit will either return to Thompson Rivers to pursue a  Masters degree or explore pro beach volleyball options in California.

While Smit has definitely committed to continuing on with the sport, the others are a little hesitant for now.  All four say they will miss volleyball come August when it is time to prepare for the season.  Dobbert says volleyball has been such a big part of his life that he will never quit the sport completely.  He has thought about coaching in the future and looks no further than his current head coach as his inspiration.  " Pat is a unique coach. He lets us figure out our own problems.  I think that is something he always wanted to do. He has some good answers but he sometimes doesn't give them to us because he says it's the best way to figure it out: go through the pain and find your way.  I have learned from him to focus on a goal but be realistic. He knows we are humans and we make mistakes, we aren't machines. We aren't the perfect players but he is excited to see what is in the future for us. If I get a passion like that like Pat does, I will be a great coach too."

The four will be honored with their parents prior to the 'Pack's match against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies on Saturday (Feb 9) at the TRU Gym.  Game time is 6:45 pm.
 
SIDE OUTS: Here is what Coach Hennelly had to say about his four players, "Going to be a tough weekend saying good bye to four key members of the WolfPack. These guys have all been a big part of where the program is today, athletically academically and culturally.  Isaac Smit, Cole Hanson and Tim edge all came in to the program together.  That year we had a big surge in the second half to make play offs, with older players like Brad Gunter and Casey Knight leading the way. We had a few tough years after that but all three of these players managed to improve, continue to work hard in the weight room and classroom and really improve the culture of the team.  Tim Edge has been named team captain for the past two years and has also been an academic all Canadian, Tim has been instrumental helping this group mature and deserves a lot of credit for where the program is today. Cole Hanson has been very diligent on the court and in the classroom and has also grown as a leader.  Isaac Smit has played both Libero and left side and has excelled at both.

Tim Dobbert transferred to TRU from BYU (NCAA) and has had an immediate impact. Tim was named a Canada West All star and Academic All Canadian last year and is looking on pace to repeat both this year. Tim is an excellent volleyball player, hard worker, a great person, and has been a great addition to the WolfPack program. "