KAMLOOPS – A pair of members from the Thompson Rivers WolfPack women's volleyball team have earned conference recognition for their outstanding 2025-26 seasons.
Both
Rida Erlalelitepe and
Libby Meldrum were named Canada West Second Team All-Stars, marking the fifth time in program history that WolfPack women's volleyball have had multiple members earn conference recognition in the same season.
Erlalelitepe earns Canada West Second Team All-Star honours for the second-consecutive season after the product from Izmir, Turkey once again led the 'Pack in kills. The 6-2 outside hitter fired in a team-high 216 kills while playing in all 74 sets this season for TRU. Adding 29 service aces and 158 digs, Erlalelitepe proved her worth all over the court. With 474 kills to her name in just two seasons at TRU, Erlalelitepe already ranks ninth in program history in career kills.
"It shows how the rest of the league views her as far as how she plays the game," said WolfPack head coach
Chad Grimm on Erlalelitepe receiving back-to-back all-star nods. "Offensively she had a better season last year, but she brings a lot of intangibles. She passes the ball extremely well, she's a smart defender who reads the game really well, she's not afraid of the moment and brings a level of confidence to our team. I'm really happy for Rida to be recognized again for her contributions and just the level of stability that she brings to our group."
Leading the entire nation in assists with 725, Meldrum was named a Canada West Second Team All-Star for the first time in her university career. It wasn't just running the offence that Meldrum excelled at, she also finished first on the team in service aces (34) and second on the team in both digs (167) and blocks (63).
"It's obviously well deserved," said WolfPack head coach
Chad Grimm. "She's been a workhorse for this program in all four of her years, I don't think she's ever complained about anything, she just puts her head down and works hard. She does everything for the team, did a great job distributing the ball this year and that led to a pretty diverse offensive attack for our group. Physically she's strong, her blocking game has a developed a lot, she serves tough, she led the nation in assists and defensively she's getting better. So yeah, I think it's important that she's recognized because she deserves it."
The product of North Vancouver, B.C. is second in program history in career assists with 1,892 throughout her four years with the WolfPack.
"This year she has been fully immersed in that role," said Grimm. "Last year
Hadley Schmidt was here and they split time but she's taken the job of running the team and has run with it. She's willing to use her voice, she's not a really an outspoken leader but she leads by example, showing up everyday. I think that just commands a certain level of respect from the team because they know what she's doing to prepare and make herself as successful as she can be."
The pair of honourees helped TRU to a record of 14-6, the highest winning percentage in a Canada West season in program history. Erlalelitepe and Meldrum will look to continue their outstanding seasons when the 'Pack host the Manitoba Bisons for a Canada West quarter-final series Feb. 26-28 inside the TCC.
