Kamloops – The Thompson Rivers WolfPack women's volleyball team and head coach Chad Grimm have added an impact transfer for their first recruit ahead of the 2025-26 season with the announcement that Lauren Junck has committed to the 'Pack.
 
"I chose TRU because I see it as a great place for me to challenge myself and grow as both a person and as a player," said Junck. "The girls and coaching staff were very welcoming and I'm really excited to join the WolfPack."
 
A 6-0 outside hitter from Red Deer, Junck spent the last three seasons playing in her hometown at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association level with the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens.
 
"She has some experience, is dynamic, has a good arm and can play six rotations," said Grimm. "She's played in big games at the college level so I think that experience will help her adjust to our game."
 
Junck was one of the top collegiate players in the nation last season, being named the ACAC South Player of the Year as well as earning CCAA All-Canadian honours.
 
In 19 matches Junck finished second in the conference with 41 service aces and third with 234 kills. A three-time Academic Excellence Award winner at RDP, she helped the Queens to an ACAC bronze medal.
 
"I recruited her out of high school so I knew of her," said Grimm on how Junck got on the WolfPack's radar. "Looking at the roster and needing to add an outside hitter and knowing where our group is, I thought adding someone with some experience to help keep that competitive window open was key. She's a good fit, is a good person and all the reviews I've received on her have been good, so I think she'll fit in culturally and also add another dimension to our outside hitting group."
 
Prior to joining RDP, Junck played at a high level of youth volleyball with the Central Alberta Queens.
 
"Playing at the Canada West level was definitely always at the back of my mind as a goal I strived for," said Junck. "I enjoyed playing in the ACAC and am excited to compete at the next level."
 
Describing herself as a calm, hardworking, and dedicated player, Junck plans to study psychology at TRU.

"It's a big jump from high school to U SPORTS and I think that jump is obviously less from college to U SPORTS," said Grimm. "There will still be some growing pains just in the beginning getting used to the physicality and speed of the league, but I think she will be able to transition fairly smoothly."
 
Junck is the first recruit announced for the upcoming season for a WolfPack team that was nationally ranked in the U SPORTS Top 10 for the entirety of last season. She will join the 'Pack with two years of eligibility remaining.

Lauren Junck
Position: Outside Hitter
Height: 6'0"
Hometown: Red Deer, AB
Last Team: Red Deer Polytechnic Queens
High School: Notre Dame High School