HOCKEY SIGNS DEFENCEMAN (TRENT JOHNSTON) January 29, 2010
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Trent Johnston
As the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s hockey team prepares for the stretch run, they have added some insurance for the blue line. The ‘Pack are pleased to announce that they have added 19 year old defenceman Trent Johnston of Kamloops, BC.
Johnston joins the WolfPack after trying out for the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League team in the fall. “Its going to be a lot of fun,” says the 6’1” rearguard who played his entire minor hockey in Kamloops. “ It’s a great group of guys. I know many of them from either being their minor hockey teammate or when I spent some time with the Kamloops Storm (Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.” He played with the BC Major Midget Thompson Blazers the last two seasons.
Johnston has been a teammate of fellow WolfPack defenceman Alex Marr throughout minor hockey. There is a chance the two might wind up being paired on the blue line. “Defence is my main strength,” Johnston says.
He started working out with the WolfPack this week. Coach Chris Hans says Johnston has a bit of a steep learning curve. “ He may have struggled a bit during training camp, but its obvious that he has worked hard at his game since. Trent’s biggest challenges will be to get into game shape and become familiar with our systems. I won’t put him in any situations he isn’t prepared for and expect him to work hard at practice to get ready for competition.”
Johnston and the rest of the WolfPack have this weekend off. They are gearing up for a big home series with SFU which comes up next Saturday and Sunday (Feb 6-7) at Memorial Arena. Game times are 8:45 pm on Saturday and Noon on Sunday.
Trent Johnston becomes the 14 product of the Kamloops Minor Hockey Association to continue his playing career at the collegiate level with the WolfPack. Other KMHA grads with TRU include Korey Gannon, Joel Leonard, Andrew Fisher, David Gore and Jose Reyes.
WVB FALL IN FIVE SETTER TO SASKATCHEWAN January 29, 2010
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Kristen Knudkov came into set for TRU in this one (A. Snucins photo)
As the 2009-10 Canada West women’s volleyball season draws to a close, the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack are wanting to send a message. That message is that they aren’t going to roll over without a fight.
For the third time this season, the WolfPack took the opposition to a fifth set. Unfortunately, their 500 record in that category dipped a bit as they fell to the host Saskatchewan Huskies 3-2. The scores were 26-24, 25-22,16-25,23-25,15-10.
“The girls are feeling pretty good about themselves, “ said WolfPack head coach Cal Wohlford afterwards. “We were a little tight in the first two sets but we got back into the match. We got a good performance from some of our leaders.”
That gives the WolfPack a 1 and 2 record in five set decisions and a record of 0 and 15 in Canada West play. Saskatchewan upped its league record to 2 and 13.
The first set saw TRU down 10-7 before taking a 12-10 lead. With the WolfPack up 24-23, the Huskies took a time out and notched three straight points for the victory.
The second set was more of the same, Saskatchewan was up 13-7 before TRU rallied to make it 13-10. That 5-0 run included a kill by Amanda Frayne (3rd year, outside hitter, Kamloops, BC) and a service ace by Lindsey Niminikin (5th year, setter, South Slocan, BC). Frayne wound up with 11 kills in 29 chances and 10 digs on the night.
The WolfPack won the third set coming from behind. They were down 9-8 to score five straight points and go up 13-9. Later, up 14-11, TRU went on a four point run.
The fourth set saw TRU going on a trio of 3-0 before rattling off five straight points when they were down 22-21 to secure the victory and send the game to a fifth and deciding set.
In that set, Saskatchewan jumped out to a 4-0 lead which they would never relinquish.
Kelly Asleson (3rd year, outside hitter, Richmond, BC) led the WolfPack offense with 15 kills in 35 chances. Anna Dyakiewicz (3rd year, outside hitter, Burnaby, BC) had 11 kills in 44 opportunities and 16 digs. Kristen Knudskov (1st year, setter, Edmonton, Alta) had 27 assists. Rookie middle Emily Bootle (Kamloops, BC) had her strongest game on the scoresheet with two solo blocks and four block assists.
Wohlford gave credit to his third year players: Asleson and Dyakiewicz especially for big performances. “Anna had two digs in the first two sets,” he said. “But when we started to bear down on our game plan, she started to lead and wound up with those 16 digs.”
The WolfPack coach also had praise for Knudskov and Bootle. “ Kristen was solid coming in for Lindsey. She sets a different ball and that took the girls a while to get used to. Emily had a decent blocking game and will see even more positive results when she moves a bit more.”
Saskatchewan was led by Candace Huster (1st year, right side, Dalmeny, Sask). She had 22 kills and 17 digs. Ashley Schurko (3rd year, leftside, Archerwill Sask) had 18 kills and 12 digs.
The same two teams meet again Friday (Jan 29) in Saskatoon. The WolfPack return home February 5 th to take on the SFU Clan. Game time is 2 pm at the Tournament Capital Center.
WOLFPACK HISTORY: The Pack lost to Regina 3-2 in Regina on November 6, 2009 in league play. Their lone 5 set victory came December 30, 2009 when they beat the University of Guelph in an exhibition match. That match was held at UBC Okanagan in Kelowna, BC.
HUSKIES SNAP WOLFPACK MVB WINNING STREAK AT FOUR January 29, 2010
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Gord Perrin
Less than a week after winning a five set marathon with the Brandon University Bobcats, the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s volleyball team found themselves going the distance again in Canada West play.
This time in Saskatoon, the WolfPack came out on the short end of a five setter. The hometown Saskatchewan Huskies downed TRU 3-2. The scores on Thursday (Jan 29) were 25-19,17-25,26-24,17-25,20-18). The WolfPack fall to 8 and 7 on the year while Saskatchewan moves to 6 and 7.
“We deserved to lose,” said WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly bluntly “There were stretches in the first and third sets where we looked and played like a tired team. We lost focus and even got on ourselves. My message to the guys afterwards was that we can’t play like that if we want to be successful.”
Hennelly added that Saskatchewan was full credit for the victory. “ They were the better team when we lost our focus. They played like a team which was desperate for a victory. We gave them some life in the third set and they took advantage.”
TRU led the first set 12-8 before the Huskies scored eight points in a row on Alwyn Piche (4th year, left side, La Loche,Sask) serves.
The ‘Pack took an early lead in the second set and lead throughout. They were helped by six Saskatchewan service errors. Hennelly gave credit to 5th year outside hitter/middle Behlul Yavasgel (Aydin, Turkey). “ He made five digs in that set and that was the difference.”
The third set saw Saskatchewan break a 12-12 tie by scoring five points in a row. But, the WolfPack rallied to tie the game at 22.
The fourth set saw Hennelly and company roll to a 6-2 lead early on and never looked back.
Hennelly said the difference in the fifth and final set was his team’s inability to serve. “We missed six serves in that set.” He explained.
Gord Perrin (3rd year, outside hitter, Creston, BC) had a game high 20 kills in 55 chances with six digs and one solo block. Kevin Tillie (1st year, left side, Cagnes Sur Mer, France) continues to impress. He had double digit kills (15) and double digit digs (12). He also added two solo blocks and had two block assists. Robin Schoebel (4th year, outside hitter, Monaco) had 12 kills in 24 chances and three digs. Rookie setter Colin Carson (Prince George, BC) had 43 assists and nine digs.
Saskatchewan was led by Piche and Geoff Zerr (3rd year, middle, Langenburg, Sask) with 12 kills a piece. 5th year setter Cole Hintz (Yorkton, Sask) had 33 assists while Daniel Quintel (5th year, libero, Prince Albert, Sask) had 12 digs.
The WolfPack out dug Saskatchewan 50-48 and out hit them .244 to .149.
Hennelly expects his team to come out with a better showing when the two sides collide on Friday (Jan 29). “ Usually, the team on the road plays better the second day,” he explains. “We need to have some confidence that we didn’t have today. But, we expect them to come out better too. We gave them some life after they got a victory they badly need in order to make the playoffs.”
SERVICE ACES: This was the third match of the Canada West season that the WolfPack have been taken to five games. They lost in five to Calgary on November 14 th and then beat Brandon last Sunday (Jan 24). Both those matches were at the Tournament Capital Center.
The Pack return to the TCC for their final regular season Canada West series on February 12 th and 13 th. The opposition that weekend will be the Trinity Western Spartans.
WBB OFF TO TRINITY FOR A PAIR THIS WEEKEND January 28, 2010
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Tracy Kocs (A. Snucins photo)
Hot on the heels of being involved in the Olympic Torch Relay and the 16 th annual Wendy’s Dreamlift, the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s basketball team have set their sights on Langley and a pair of Canada West encounters with the Trinity Western Spartans.
The Spartans and ‘Pack will go head to head twice: Friday (January 29 th at 6 pm) and Saturday (January 30 th at 5 pm. Both games are being held at the new Langley Events Center.
The WolfPack enter the contest ahead of Trinity in the Pacific Division standings. TRU has a record of 3 and 11, the Spartans go into the weekend at 2 and 11.
Head coach Scott Reeves has moved the women’s basketball program at TRU ahead in its development. A pair of wins this weekend would push things even further. “ I re-evaluated the season at the end of the last week,’ he says. “We have still set a number of records for the women’s program. Winning this weekend would add to what we have accomplished already. But we aren’t where we want to be yet. Still, its heading in the right direction.”
The Spartans have one of the Canada West’s more dominant players in their line up. 5th year post Lauren Doubroff (Surrey, BC) is second in free throw shooting (49 of 58 with a percentage of .845) ,sixth in scoring (averaging 15.4 points per game), and fifth in rebounding (102 with an average of 7.8 per game). The WolfPack will be defending her ‘by committee’. “ We have to play team defence as they have good guard play and Olsen (Tiffany, post, 3rd year, Fanny Bay, BC) contributes at both ends as well,” Reeves explains. “ We need everyone to step up and shoot the ball well.”
The WolfPack have been getting contributions from different sources of late. While Kaitlyn Widsten (3rd year, guard, Tswwassen, BC) has emerged as a threat to score every night, there have been more contributions off the bench. Forwards Lindsay Dekoff (2nd year, Chilliwack, BC) and Michelle Dimond (3rd year, Port Moody, BC) have found themselves finding the basket more often. That has alleviated some of the pressure on post Diane Schuetze (2nd year, Vernon, BC) and point guard Jen Ju (2nd year, Vancouver, BC).
The WolfPack have already set a team record for wins (8 for the season-three in league play). They are well aware that their next “W” will establish a franchise best for victories in the Canada West. “ It’ll be on our mind and hopefully spur us on a little emotionally.”
The WolfPack will return home after the weekend for their final two league games (Feb 5-6) against the Simon Fraser University Clan. Tip off those nights will be 6 pm and 5 pm respectively.
DOUBLE DRIBBLES: This weekend will be the first time the ‘Pack have played at the Langley Events Center. The Coach has done some advance scouting of the facility: “ I have seen some clinics in the gym and its not really like anything we’ve played in before,” he says. “ There is good lighting and space on the baselines.”
WOLFPACK MBB TO SPAR WITH THE SPARTANS January 28, 2010
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Jeff Friesen will be in for a battle under the boards this weekend (A. Snucins)
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack know that they will have to maximize their resources when they return to Canada West men’s basketball play this weekend. The WolfPack will travel to Langley, BC to take on the Trinity Western Spartans. The Spartans sit third in the Pacific Division with an 8 and 5 record. TRU has a record of 2 and 12.
The games on Friday and Saturday (Jan 29 and 30) could be a ‘war under the boards’. The WolfPack have two of the top rebounders in the Canada West in Greg Stewart (4th year, forward, Kamloops, BC) and Jeff Friesen (5 th year, forward, Duncan, BC). The Spartans counter with Tyrell Mara (4th year, forward, White Rock, BC) and Jacob Doerksen (4th year, forward, Abbotsford, BC).
“We will need an outstanding group effort on the boards versus TWU,” states WolfPack head coach Thom Gillespie. “ The Spartans lead the league in rebounding and rebounding margin. Doerksen, Mara and Verhoeff (Lance, 4th year, forward, Calgary, Alta) are a formidable trio and we will need more than just Greg and Jeff to Match their physical play on the boards.”
Stewart leads the Canada west in rebounds with 149 (averaging 11.5 per game). Mara is third (120, averaging 9.2 per game), while Friesen ranks sixth (111, and an average of 7.9 per game) and Doerkson is ninth (100, with a 7.9 per game average).
Doerksen is also the second leading scorer in the Canada West (110 field goals, 6, three pointers, 52 free throws for 278 points and an average of 21.4 per game). Verhoeff is second in the league in field goals (53 of 95, .558 percent). Doerkson is fourth in that category (110 of 201, .547).
Gillespie believes that his squad has to be prepared to match Trinity’s physical style of play as they play in a hostile environment (Langley Events Center).
The ‘Pack are coming off defeats at the hands of Saskatchewan and Alberta at home last weekend (Jan 22-23). Although, the defeat to the Golden Bears was only by 10 points. “ We were disappointed with our play in both games last weekend,” said Gillespie. “There is a renewed sense of effort and urgency to play well this weekend. We know we can’t make the Canada West playoffs so our final four games essentially become an opportunity to make an impact on the season in the race for the final few spots.”
With that in mind, will Gillespie go to his bench to utilize his younger players in order for them to gain valuable playing time? “ We will play our games to win as well as give the first and second year players an opportunity to contribute and develop,” he says. “ However, their play in practice and performance will dictate how much play time they receive, which has been the case all season.”
The WolfPack have a few players enjoying some individual success. Drew Bleth (5th year, guard, Ridgeview, Wash) enters the final few weeks of his university career sitting atop of the Canada West free throw race. He has made 31 of 35 for a success rate of .886. “ Drew was a good free throw shooter before he arrived at TRU,” states Gillespie. “ We practice under game conditions as much as possible, but certainly his ability to finish under pressure is a weapon. You need to have confidence when you step up to the line. Our objective was to lead the Canada West in field goal shooting because it is something we can control. However, our team has really struggled in some games and typically its due to the lack of necessary confidence to make our shots under pressure.”
Fellow fifth year guard Sean Garvey (Kamloops, BC) is ninth in scoring in the Canada West (221 points, averaging 15.8 points per game) and is third in three pointers made (43 for an average of 3.07 per game).
After the contest, TRU returns home to close out the season at the Tournament Capital Center February 5th and 6 th against the SFU Clan.