COACH CHAD GRIMM
“She’s a good communicator – she’s not the loud rah rah type on the floor but she’s directing traffic pretty well, communicating important information and is similar to our current libero Olivia Andulajevic.”
“She grew up in a small town and has had to do a lot of different things to make volleyball successful for her and that grit comes through on the court as well.”
“I talked with Akeira’s club coach, who I have known for a long time, and he said ‘she is a good kid, she puts in the work and given some time will be really good at this level.’ Getting a recommendation from someone who knows the game really well is the first thing that tipped me off. When we had her visit I just think her personality, demeanour and off-court qualities that she brings were a good fit and then on the court she was doing good things. All those pieces came together and it worked out.”
“She comes in in a good situation. She can work under the tutelage of Olivia who is going into her fifth year and that experience will be tremendous for her moving forward as her role starts to increase.
AKEIRA ANSETH
"I chose TRU because of the team’s strong values and the supportive environment TRU creates for its student-athletes. The program’s culture of hard work and accountability in all aspects of life is something I believe will give me the ability to grow as an athlete and a person."
"I began playing volleyball in grade six, and over the past six years of club volleyball I’ve had the opportunity to play for four different club teams. Each season introduced me to new coaches and teammates who challenged me, supported me, and have become lifelong friends that I am grateful for. My first provincial experience came in 2023 when I represented Team Saskatchewan at NAIG. Since then, I have continued to grow and earned the opportunity to play for Team Saskatchewan again in 2024 and 2025 at Canada Cup. Volleyball has allowed me to travel, compete at higher levels, and learn from a wide range of coaches and athletes, all of which have contributed to the person and player I’ve become."
"I knew that TRU was the place for me once I joined the team in a practice. Being able to experience the training environment gave me an insight into the team’s focus and compete. Being able to be in a gym where everyone is all in is a privilege that I am grateful to be joining."
COACH CHAD GRIMM
“She's a great athlete. She's physical, strong, long, can hit with pace and play six rotations. She's an aggressive player that I think can score points at our level."
"It's an exciting group of incoming recruits and Lola only increases that level. That will be the next core group moving forward so I think she adds another dimension to that crew and I'm looking forward to watching her develop over her career."
"It's great to have her and her teammate Megan Machan joining us at this level. They've had success together and will bring some new exciting faces to the group in the next couple years."
"Their club team won the Alberta provincial championship and was in the national final. Their club coach is the former men's volleyball coach at Red Deer College, Keith Hansen, who won nine national titles at the CCAA level so I know through him that his teams usually do quite well."
LOLA DOEF
“I chose TRU because of its welcoming community and the beauty of the surrounding Kamloops area. Coach Grimm and the team have been very supportive throughout this process, and I’m so excited to be joining the WolfPack!”
"I started playing volleyball at a D1 level in 2021 for the Central Alberta Queens Volleyball Club. I have played with the same core group throughout my club career. I have also competed with Team Alberta for the past three summers. This past summer I was chosen for the u18 Alberta Canada Games Team where we placed silver in St. John’s NFLD. This summer I was also selected to train and compete with the top athletes in my age group at this years All Canadian Games. I’m so excited to continue my volleyball career at Thompson Rivers University."
COACH CHAD GRIMM
"Megan is powerful, she has a good arm and is quick. She is long and pretty diverse as a player. She's another player that I think will be a point-scoring threat at the CW level because she can the ball with velocity and I think her physicality will only continue to develop."
"She's a provincial team athlete and plays on a club team coached by Keith Hansen so I know she has been well-coached, will have a lot of good foundational skills and understand what it's like at the next level. Adding that experienced athlete that understands what it's going to take is a plus."
MEGAN MACHAN
“I chose to come to TRU because it felt like a place where I’d be challenged and supported to grow both as an athlete and as a person. The team culture and close-knit environment made the WolfPack feel like the perfect fit for me. I’m incredibly excited to come to Kamloops and be a part of the TRU community."
"I’m a competitive middle who brings quick attacks and solid defense to the court. I try to stay calm and consistent in tough moments so I can be someone my team can count on. Off the court, I’m a positive teammate who really values hard work and a strong team culture, and I’m always looking for ways to support the people around me."
"I knew that I wanted to play U SPORTS and TRU immediately caught my eye as a school with a very competitive volleyball team and excellent programs. I had heard many great things about the coaching staff and the team throughout the volleyball community."
COACH CHAD GRIMM
"I think she's really calm, I would compare her demeanour to Libby Meldrum. She doens't get too high or too low over the course of a game which I think at the setter position is really important. She has really good hands, her other traits will develop because she's a good athlete, but she can do things with her hands that is at a level above her peers so I think she will have a chance to really develop."
"As a good athlete I think she will become a better six rotation player, she can block, will become a better defender and has a strong serve. The key is that she is able to deliver accurate balls to hitters."
"I think it's rare for a player to be as calm as she is. At times it can become a very emotional game, and that's great at some points, but as a setter you have to be cerebral and understand what's going on, understand your opponent and be able to make good decisions."
AMAYA FRIESEN
“What stood out to me most about TRU was the team culture and the coaching. It felt like a place where I could grow as both a player and a person. It’s also far enough from home to feel like a new experience, but still close enough to stay connected. On top of that, the academic support and programs really impressed me.”
"I’d describe myself as someone who brings balance to the court. I try to sense where the team’s at mentally and adjust. Whether that means calming things down when there’s pressure, or helping us refocus. I’m not necessarily the loudest leader, but I take pride in being someone who communicates well and supports everyone, kind of like a second-in-command who helps keep the team steady."
COACH CHAD GRIMM
"She doesn't have a lot of experience, volleyball is fairly new to her but she's just physical. She's strong, she's high, she's imposing and is just scratching the surface of what she can become on the court."
"She got some exposure this Summer playing for Team Alberta so that was great. She's playing middle right now and I think I'll give her some time as an opposite too to see what that might look like but again she's a good athlete so I think she'll be a little bit of a blank slate so we will see what she brings and try to find the best spot for her once she gets here."
CHELSEA OKAFOR
"I chose the WolfPack because it just felt right. The energy, the culture, the people—it felt like somewhere I could grow not just as a player, but as a person. I could tell they care about their athletes and push them to be their best. That’s the kind of environment I want to be part of."
"I’m a high-energy middle who plays with intensity and heart. I love getting up fast on the ball, being a big presence at the net, and bringing hype to my team. I’m always trying to learn and get better, and I’m ready to work hard and give everything I’ve got to the 'Pack."
"The culture, the energy, and the way they support their athletes stood out to me. It felt like a place where I could grow and be part of something real."
