KAMLOOPS – The Thompson Rivers WolfPack men's volleyball team and head coach Pat Hennelly are pleased to announce the addition of another Kamloops volleyball star with Alex Howard joining the 'Pack.
 
"It is great to have another local recruit," said Hennelly. "I have been watching Alex develop over the past couple of years, from Merritt to Kamloops and now to one of the best in B.C.  Alex is an explosive athlete with a big jump, a big arm and great ball control. I have always been impressed with Alex's ability to pass the ball and he has developed into one of the best outside hitters in the province."
 
Originally from Merritt, Howard's journey to Kamloops volleyball high school star has been a long one.
 
Struggling to get enough players together for a team in his hometown, Howard played his first complete season of high school volleyball in grade 10. That very same season he led the first Merritt High boys volleyball team to compete at the Okanagan championship to a third-place finish.
 
"After playing the South Kamloops Secondary School team and coach Graham MacGregor seeing me play he asked me to try out for club volleyball in Kamloops that he coached so I did, it took me a bit to get a hang of playing with the new team but I was able to improve a lot under the right coaching," said Howard.
 
Joining MacGregor and the Titans last season, Howard has helped the program achieve an unprecedented level of success for Kamloops boys volleyball team.
 
"Alex is a real competitor, and he leads by example," said MacGregor. "He wants the ball and to make a difference and he really does make a difference. He stirs the drink for the team and we go as Alex goes, even when we aren't playing well Alex tends to keep us in the game."
 
Howard and his South Kamloops squad have won a pair of tournaments to start their 2023 season after finishing fifth at the 2022 Provincial Championships. The team has eyes on becoming the first boys high school team to win a provincial title this season.
 
"Alex is a very physical commanding presence for our team that really drives the bus for us and sets the example by the leading the team in kills and in determination," said MacGregor. "He's a competitor but also a quiet leader. He's not the most talkative but he leads on court by example and with his play. He puts the team on his back and says follow me."  
 
Alongside starring for SKSS, Howard also plays club volleyball for the KVA Pack and has been named a captain while playing with the U17 and U18 Team BC squads.

"Alex was already a top recruit for us last year, but after club season last spring and starting for Team BC this past summer, his game has really improved," said Hennelly. "In Alex we have added one of the top hitters in the 2024 recruiting class and I believe he will have a significant impact for the WolfPack on the court."
 
A physical outside hitter, Howard joins SKSS teammate Brandon Johnson in the WolfPack's 2024-25 recruiting class.
 
"Alex adds to an already solid recruiting class for 2024, and we are all looking forward to watching Alex - along with Brandon - lead the SKSS team to a provincial title," said Hennelly. "You could call him a 'hometown hero."
 
For MacGregor, seeing his Kamloops stars remain home to play post-secondary volleyball is something that he hopes will strengthen the volleyball scene in the River City.
 
 "It's super exciting for volleyball in Kamloops and it's super exciting for Pat to be able to get those guys," said MacGregor. "I really hope that next generation of boys volleyball can feed off of this, they will see Alex and Brandon and get to go watch them play which will lead to a good feedback loop in the future for boys' volleyball in the city."
 
Planning to take general studies, Howard will join TRU in time for the 2024-25 season.
 
"I chose to join the 'Pack because of the friends and family I have locally and because I see a strong future team that I can be a part of," said Howard. "Continuing to play with Brandon will definitely make the transition to a new team feel a lot smoother and you can never have too many Kamloops kids on a team."