The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack hoping that a return to their old gym will translate into some much needed victories as they vye for a playoff spot in Canada West men’s volleyball. The WolfPack (5-9) entertain the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (9-5) for matches Friday and Saturday (Jan 18-19).
It’s an ‘alumni’ weekend so both matches will be played at the TRU gym—where the ‘Pack played their first two seasons in the Canada West.
Thompson Rivers is tied for 8 th place while UBC is in a deadlock for fourth place going into weekend play.
Pat Hennelly-WolfPack head coach (Andrew Snucins photo)
After losing twice last weekend in Saskatchewan, ‘Pack head coach Pat Hennelly says though, a playoff spot isnt out of the question: “ It’s not do or die but more like do or ‘life support,” he says. “We are two matches behind Winnipeg and are tied with Mount Royal. A win would be a great help. We did not play well last weekend.”
Hennelly said it would have been easy to blame their straight set defeat to Saskatchewan on travel problems which had them stuck in the Calgary airport for nine hours. “But, the bottom line is we did not perform and that is something every member of our program was frustrated with.”
Stuart Richey (Andrew Snucins photo)
The coach says they are ready to go for this week, against a team which beat them 3-1 three weeks ago in the final of the McDonald’s International tournament. “ We have had some great practices,” the coach says.”we played well at our tournament so we have to keep up the hard work and hope it pays off on the court. We are familiar with UBC and we know it will be a close match. They played extremely good defence so we will be expecting that this weekend. We need to focus on transition and making consistent first contacts.”
Colin Carson (Andrew Snucins photo)
One player who has earned praise from Hennelly is fourth year setter Colin Carson of Prince George, BC. “ he has been playing great and we are getting good offensive production from out middles and right side.” Carson is eighth in the league in assists (8.54 per game)
Mohamed Rehim vs Regina (George Wycherley)
Mohamed Rehim (2nd year, middle, Cairo, Egypt) is second in Canada West hitting percentage (.431) and is ninth in service aces (0.30). Nick Balazs (2nd year, middle, Prince George, BC) is fifth in hitting percentage (.376).
Brad Gunter vs UBC (Andrew Snucins photo)
Game times on the weekend are 7:45 pm on Friday and 6:45 pm on Saturday. You can see the game on www.canadawesttv.ca.
SERVICE ACES: UBC’s Milan Nikic is seventh in the Canada West in service aces (0.30 per game).Chris Howe and Alex Russell of the Thunderbirds are second and third respectively in blocks with 1.31 per game. Ian Perry of UBC is third in the Canada West in digs (2.95 per game) while Jarrid Ireland is eighth in scoring averaging 3.84 points per game.
Saturday’s match will see the WolfPack Alumni and Friends leadership awards handed out for volleyball.