KAMLOOPS – The Thompson Rivers WolfPack men's volleyball team and head coach Pat Hennelly have secured their first commitment of the 2026-27 recruiting class with the announcement that Carter Lake will join the 'Pack.
 
A 6-5 outside hitter from Conception Bay South, NL Lake will travel across the country to attend TRU and suit up for the WolfPack.
 
"He's a younger guy playing up an age group but physically he fit right in and we still think there's some growth there,"said Hennelly. "He's extremely explosive and I think he's got incredible potential. He still has another year to develop and has untapped potential, so he's a blue-chip guy that we are really excited to have join the WolfPack."
 
A provincial U18 Champion with both his high school and club squad this past season, Lake is excited to get the chance to represent TRU.
 
"To play for the WolfPack is an honor," said Lake. "I wanted to train with and play against the best players in the country and receive elite coaching and TRU's program will make me a better player. Playing at TRU provides me the opportunity to continue to develop in my volleyball journey and that is exciting." 
 
The WolfPack's first-ever recruit from Newfoundland Labrador, Lake comes from a long line of volleyball excellence. Both of his older siblings – brother Nathan and sister Jenna - played collegiate volleyball at York University and Acadia University respectively, while his mother also played at Acadia.
 
"I have been playing volleyball pretty much since I could walk," said Lake. "I have been following my siblings around to gyms for many years and pretty much always had a volleyball in my hand growing up."
 
Named the most valuable player of both the U17 and U18 provincial championships in the last few years, Lake describes himself as a dynamic attacker that will work hard to improve every day.
 
""He's a great player – big, physical and skilled so that caught our interest," echoed Hennelly. "Assistant coach Reece Wilson went out to nationals to watch Carter play and he confirmed everything that we saw on video."

Alongside committing to play postsecondary volleyball, Lake will get the opportunity to continue another family tradition this summer when he represents Newfoundland Labrador at both the 2025 Canada Cup and the 2025 Canada Games. Both of his siblings have previously represented their province at the Canada Games while his Mom also suited up for team Newfoundland Labrador at the 1993 Canada Games hosted right here in Kamloops.
 
"It's pretty exciting to join their legacy," said Lake.
 
Lake, who recently received the Robbie West Memorial Award as the top high school player in the province, plans to study education at TRU with an eye towards one day becoming an elementary school teacher.
 
Carter Lake 
Position: Left Side 
Height: 6'5"
Hometown: Conception Bay South, Newfoundland Labrador
Club Team: CBSVC
School: Mount Pearl Senior High