Game Information

Date: Friday, Nov. 5 - Saturday, Nov. 6
Time: 8:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.
Location: Langley, B.C. 
Watch Live: On campus: at The Den // Online: Canadawest.tv

KAMLOOPS – For the first time in a long time the Thompson Rivers WolfPack men's volleyball team is preparing for official Canada West play this weekend.
 
In a pair of games against the always-strong Trinity Western Spartans, the 'Pack will play Friday night at 8:00 p.m., and Saturday at 6:00 p.m.
 
After a cancelled 2020-21 season due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps no team in Canada West has seen more roster turnover than the WolfPack. With 12 new faces on the roster the 'Pack will be looking from an immediate impact from college transfers Thundersky Walkingbear and Michael Svab as well as freshman Matthew Hamilton.

The WolfPack hung tough with the Spartans in preseason. While Trinity Western won the game 3-0, the set scores were 25-23, 25-22 and 25-22. Anton Napolitano had 15 kills and three blocks, Kyle McKee had two aces, three kills and two blocks and Walkingbear chipped in with five kills, one ace and four digs in the contest. In TRU's other preseason action they fell 3-1 at home to the UBC Okanagan Heat.
 
Facing a schedule of only B.C. schools this season, the WolfPack will face the Spartans, Heat, UBC Thunderbirds and Fraser Valley Cascades four times each in 2021-22.
 
WolfPack Season Preview
2019-20 CW regular season record: 8-14, 10th
2019-20 post-season record: /-/, N/A
Head coach: Pat Hennelly (16th season) / 120-166 (Career CW reg. season record)
Last CW championship / total CW championships: N/A Best finish bronze in 2008-09
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: N/A Best finish bronze in 2007-08
 
2019-20 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 14.9, 6th
Kills per set: 11.26, 7th
Hitting percentage: .211, 9th
 
2019-20 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 265 – Nimo Benne, OH
Digs: 169 – Landon Currie, L
Blocks: 91 – Sam Taylor Parks, M
Aces: 30 – Charlie Bringloe, OH
Assists: 422 – Anton Napolitano, S
*Returning
 
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Matthew Hamilton / OH / 1st-year / Lethbridge, AB / Lethbridge Collegiate
Thundersky Walkingbear / OH / 3rd-year / Thunderchild, SK / Olds College
Michael Svab / M / 4th-year / Pincher Creek, AB / Lethbridge College
 
Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Kyle Behiels / M / Edmonton, AB / 5
Charlie Bringloe / OH / Waterloo, ON / 5
Joshua Mullaney / OH / Calgary, AB / 5
Sam Taylor Parks / M / Kelowna, BC / 5
 
Key performer:
Anton Napolitano
Setter / Outside Hitter
5th-year
Melbourne, AUS
 
The lone fifth-year player on a young WolfPack roster, Anton Napolitano will be relied on for his veteran presence both on and off the court. Primarily a setter in years past, the product of Melbourne will bring an extra element to his game this season as he will also spend time as an outside hitter.