WOLFPACK WBB FINISH 2009 WITH 2ND STRAIGHT EXHIBITION VICTORY December 30, 2009
Posted by lread in Women's Basketball.add a comment
Kali Ellis had a game high 16 points for TRU (A. Snucins photo)
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s basketball team have loved playing the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades this year. They have met four times in the latter part of 2009. Two of the games were CIS League contests. The last two meetings were exhibition matchups. In all four of the encounters, the result has been the same: a WolfPack victory.
Playing their second exhibition tilt in as many days, the WolfPack downed the Cascades 74-58 in Abbotsford. “ It was a way better effort defensively,” said a happy WolfPack head coach Scott Reeves. “Our rotations were better and our communication improved.”
The WolfPack had three players in double digits led by guard Kali Ellis (4th year, Campbell River, BC). Ellis had 16 points in only 15 minutes of court time.
“Everyone contributed and this was a good preparation for us heading back into conference play,” Reeves added.
The WolfPack will return to Canada West play January 8 th when they entertain the Manitoba Bison at the Tournament Capital Center. Game time is 6 pm.
MCDONALD’S INTERNATIONAL MVB TOURNEY TO BEGIN SATURDAY December 30, 2009
Posted by lread in Men's Volleyball.add a comment
Behlul Yavasgel and Alex Davis of the WolfPack (A. Snucins photo)
The stage is set for what could very well be the best volleyball tournament ever played in Kamloops. The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack are hosting their 3rd Annual McDonalds International Classic which begins Saturday (Jan 2nd) at the Tournament Capital Center.
For the first time ever, the tournament will feature eight teams. Organizers are using the event as a tune up for the 2010 CIS Men’s Nationals, which will be held in the same venue in March.
The host WolfPack are joined by Pepperdine Wave of California (NCAA), along with six other CIS squads and the University of BC Okanagan Heat of the Canadian College Athletic Association.
The Wave have been at this tournament every year and lost to TRU in the final in 2009.
Opening matchups on Saturday have Pepperdine meeting UBCO at 1 pm. That’s followed by Trinity Western facing McMaster (OUA) at 3 pm. At 6 pm, the WolfPack take to the floor against the University of Toronto (OUA) with the final match of the night coming at 7:30 pm with Calgary facing Dalhousie (AUS).
The consolation side semi finals are set for Sunday (Jan 3) at 1 pm and 3 pm with the championship semi’s going at 6 pm and 730 pm.
The tournament wraps up on Monday January 4 th. The matches for 7/8 th, (10 am), 5th/6th (noon) and the bronze medal (2 pm) will be held at the TRU Gym with the Gold Medal Match set for the Tournament Capital Center at 6 pm.
Tickets for each game are $8.00 for adults, $ 4.00 for student and seniors with children under 6 getting in for free.
Fans unable to attend the matches can follow them via live stats by logging onto: http://www.tru.ca/athletics.html and scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking on live stats. TRU’s matches on Sunday and if they make it to the championship final on Monday, will be broadcast on their website.
A reminder that tickets for the 2010 CIS Men’s Nationals are still on sale at a reduced price. More infor by calling (250) 377-6117 or emailing lread@tru.ca
WOLFPACK VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS CHOSEN AS 2010 OLYMPIC TORCH BEARERS December 30, 2009
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(Gord Perrin-left and Amanda Frayne- right. A. Snucins photo)
Two members of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack volleyball teams have been chosen to be torchbearers when the Olympic Flame comes to the Interior next month. Gord Perrin of the men’s volleyball team (3rd year, outside hitter, Creston, BC) and Amanda Frayne (3rd year, outside hitter, Kamloops, BC) were chosen after applications were sent to Coca Cola, one of the Olympic Sponsors.
“At first, I didn’t realize how huge it was to be nominated for something l like this,” says Frayne. “ I told people and they congratulated me and I really didn’t understand why. But now, I realize how luck I was to be picked for something so prestigious; something recognized around the world. I believe that being a torchbearer is a one in a lifetime opportunity. To be part of a ritual so old, well known and respected is a huge honour. There are only a few select people across the country who get to take pat in this and I feel proud to be one of them.”
“It’s an amazing feeling to be chosen,” added Perrin. “ The flame represents the best athletes in the world. I am so excited, I can’t wait.” Perrin says country against country rivalry is the ultimate. “They are the most exciting competition there is” he explains about the Olympics. “Watching them as a little kid was always exciting.”
Perrin, who was one of the captains with Canada’s Junior National men’s volleyball team at this year’s World Championships knows what it’s like to perform on the international stage.
Frayne too is a fan of the Olympics. “ I absolutely love the summer Olympics with swimming, diving, beach volleyball, indoor volleyball and gymnastics. My mom loves Team Canada hockey, so I watch almost every hockey game during the Winter Olympics. I think that the excitement of the Olympics wears off on everyone. It’s hard not to get caught up in it. And to have it in our own country and own province will never happen again in my lifetime, so for that, I am extremely excited.”
Frayne’s mother will be on hand to see her daughter run with the flame.
Both Frayne and Perrin say they are grateful to Coca Cola for helping them realize their dream. Coke was looking for people who met a certain criteria to run with the flame. The criteria was that of a person leading a healthy, active lifestyle coupled with a focus on living ‘green’. Both of our TRU Torchbearers met that criteria.
The two will run with the torch the morning of January 27 th in Salmon Arm. They have to drive to the North Shuswap to do the run because their teams will be flying to Saskatoon when the flame arrives in Kamloops, later that day.
Once the flame gets to Kamloops, a number of other TRU Athletes will be part of a special ceremony at Hillside Stadium. Although none of them will get to run with the flame. One other person with ties to TRU Athletics will run with the flame in Salmon Arm. Kaitlyn Baskerville is a support staff member with the men’s volleyball team. She was chosen to run with the flame through another one of the torch run sponsors: RBC.
WOLFPACK MBB WIN FIRST GAME OF SEASON: FINISH 7 TH AT WESMEN TOURNEY December 30, 2009
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Greg Stewart had a double-double and set a tournament record for rebounds (A. Snucins photo)
Thom Gillespie couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the calendar year. Gillespie’s Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s basketball team won their final game of 2009, taking the host Winnipeg Wesmen 77-70 to finish seventh at the 43 rd annual Wesmen Classic.
“I’m pleased for the guys,” Gillespie said afterwards. “We put in a good effort and held strong over the last two minutes to get the victory.”
After being tied at 20 after the first quarter, TRU outscored the Wesmen 19-13 in the second quarter to lead 39-33 at the recess. The ‘Pack continued to outscore the host team 23-14 in the third quarter. “ We did a better job in the middle two quarters on defence.” Gillespie stated. “Greg (Stewart, 4 th year, forward, Kamloops, BC) did a great job with some defensive rebounds.”
Stewart was the top scorer and rebounder for TRU in this one. He had 23 points and 18 rebounds including 13 on defence. That 18 rebounds tied a tournament record. Sean Garvey (5th year, guard, Kamloops, BC) added 15 points with Drew Bleth (5th year, guard, Ridgeview, Wash) adding 14 points.
“ In the fourth period, the Wesmen gave us some pressure,” the WolfPack coach explained. “ They forced us to turn the ball over and cut the margin to 72-70 with two minutes left. But Drew came up with a big three in the final three minutes to extend our lead and we finished off with some free throws.”
Mike James led the Wesmen with 20 points, two blocks and two steals. Nick Lother was next with 14 points. Peter Lomuro added 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The WolfPack return to Canada West play on January 8-9 th at the Tournament Capital Center when they meet up with Manitoba and Winnipeg. Gillespie is hoping to carry some momentum from this win into those games. “ Getting a win was a confidence builder for sure,’ he said. “ Especially against a team we’ll play in ten days time. And to do it without our full complement of players was a bonus. We need to have the same intensity and focus as we did today in order to be successful when it really counts.”
The Pack host Manitoba on January 8 th with an 8 pm tip off. Winnipeg comes to the TCC one night later for a 7 pm tip off.
DOUBLE DRIBBLES: The Pack played without fifth year forward Jeff Friesen (Duncan, BC), who was unable to get away from his job for the tourney. Assistant Coach Brian Smith was also unable to attend the Winnipeg tournament due to work commitments.
WOLFPACK WBB BEAT UFV IN EXHIBITION December 30, 2009
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Diane Schuetze was the leading scorer vs UFV (A. Snucins photo)
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s basketball team returned to the court for the first time in over a month on Tuesday night (Dec 29). It might have only been an exhibition, but still, the WolfPack came out victorious: 82-76.
“It was a typical first game back after the break,” said WolfPack head coach Scott Reeves. ” It was very sloppy on both sides and fitness seemed to play a part.”
The WolfPack had five players scoring in double digits led by 2nd year post Diane Schuetze (Vernon, BC). She had 16 points.
“We had a very balanced offense and a good first half defensively,” Reeves added.
He felt his club wasn’t rotating very well on penetration in the second half and were out rebounded. “We need to guard the three better if we are going to have any success tomorrow.” Reeves stated.
The two teams play again at the Envision Athletic Center in Abbotsford on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 2 pm.
The WolfPack return to play in the Canada West January 8 th at the Tournament Capital Center when the Manitoba Bisons pay a visit. That night will also be Alzheimer’s Awareness night: sponsored by Andy Miller of Investors Group. There will also be events coinciding with orientation for TRU first year students. Tip off is 6pm.