CARSON PART OF SILVER MEDAL WINNING TEAM JR CANADA MVB August 22, 2010
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Colin Carson and his family after winning silver medal
It was an experience of a life time for Colin Carson. The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack setter was part of Canada’s silver medal winning national junior men ‘s team at the NORCECA qualifying tournament. Carson and Team Canada lost in the championship final of the tourney on Saturday (Aug 21) night to Team USA. The Americans won in three sets 25-14,25-19, 25-16.
“It was a little bit disappointing,” said Carson, a native of Prince George BC who will enter his second season with the WolfPack when talking about the match. “ But, our goal was to finish in the top three and qualify for the World Championships. So we are still happy.”
Carson, who got into the gold medal match in the second set as a substitute said the Americans brought their “A” game and Canada didn’t. He felt the entire Canadian team didn’t play up to their potential.
“ They just wanted it more than we did,” he added.
Unlike his role with the WolfPack where he plays regularly, Carson wound up being more of a role player with Team Junior Canada. “ I didn’t play much but I tried to bring as much energy as I could.” He hopes to be invited back to play with the team in 2011 when Canada goes to the World Championships in Brazil. “ This was a great experience and I hopefully can translate this into having a good season with TRU.”
(Andrew Snucins photo)
Carson’s parents got to see him play in Gatineau and were on hand for the final. Colin says the thing he’ll remember most about being part of the national junior team was the three weeks spent with his teammates.
The U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico will all advance to the World Junior Championships next year in Brazil.
After a week off, Carson will join WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly and his teammates teaching at a volleyball skills camp in his native Prince George.
CARSON GEARS UP FOR FIRST INTERNATIONAL MATCH August 15, 2010
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Colin Carson
Colin Carson of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s volleyball team will realize a dream tomorrow night (Aug 17). Carson will make his first International appearance as the Canadian National Junior Men’s volleyball squad opens the NORECA Tournament at home against Guatemala.
The 2nd year setter was chosen last month for the National team. “Training is going very well,” he said. “We are going twice a day right now. I am pretty confident of our team’s ability and we should do well in the tournament.”
His play has impressed Head Coach Greg Barthel, who is the head coach of the University of Regina Cougars. “Colin has improved everyday,” he states “We look for him to run an effective offense and continue to bring intensity to the floor. He wants to improve everyday and is a very focused individual.”
“Our main focus is defense,” stated Carson, who believes that Canada is strong at every position.
Coach Barthel knows that his squad will be in tough. “Cuba and the United States should have the top teams. They have very good athletes. Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Dominican Republic will be very emotional.”
Both say that Canada playing at home will be an advantage. “We have trained at the venue and feel very comfortable playing there,” adds Barthel.
Carson becomes the second WolfPack athlete to be named to Team Junior Canada. Gord Perrin (Creston, BC) was a team member for 2008 and 2009. Perrin is currently on Canada’s Senior Men’s “B” Team.
CARSON BECOMES 2ND PACK PLAYER TO MAKE JR NATIONAL TEAM July 28, 2010
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Colin Carson
Colin Carson can look back at his first year of university volleyball as probably one of his best athletic seasons.
Not only was he one of the leading assist getters in the Canada West, he also started every match at setter, Carson (Prince George, BC) has now become the second Thompson Rivers University player to make Canada’s Junior National Mens Volleyball Team.
Carson sets Mike Hammond vs TWU (A. Snucins photo)
Carson’s selection came following the National U-21 Championships where Team BC finished fifth.
“I am very excited to have this opportunity to play at the international level. There are so many fantastic players across Canada. To receive the opportunity to represent my country—I am honoured.”
Carson follows in the footsteps of Gord Perrin (Creston BC) who was with the Junior National Team in 2008 and 2009.
(A. Snucins photo)
Carson and the rest of the Junior Nats are in Gatineau Quebec working at the Volleyball Canada training site. They are preparing to host the NORCECA Tournament in August. Canada’s team is coached by Greg Barthel of the University of Regina.
Carson believes is selection will benefit his play with the WolfPack when they start the 2010-11 Canada West season in November.
Carson and Behlul Yavasgel (Snucins photo)
“It is great for Colin Carson and the WolfPack program that he made the Junior National team program,” said TRU Coach Pat Hennelly. ” He gained a lot of confidence in his rookie campaign for us and improved throughout the year. Colin dealt with the pressure of setting for our program through the regular season, playoffs and nationals. Colin was a special player when he committed to the WolfPack and he keeps proving the sky’s the limit. I know Colin will be a great ambassador for our program, the city of Prince George and his high school Duchess Park.”
Hennelly adds: “I hope the experience will be as good for Colin as it was for Gord.”
And yes Carson has spoken to his old teammate about playing for his country. “Gord had mentioned the team before and spoke very highly of it. So, obviously after hearing this. I wanted to experience it as well.”
(A. Snucins photo)
Carson will be instructing at a volleyball camp in his hometown, Prince George, Aug 30-Sept 2nd at the College of New Caledonia. To register contact Pat Hennelly at phennelly@tru.ca . The WolfPack are also holding a camp in Quesnel from Aug 16-19th. Contact Hennelly for more information.
END OF AN ERA AT TRU: GORD PERRIN LEAVES MVB July 15, 2010
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Gord Perrin (A. Snucins)
When the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s volleyball team take to the court to start the 2010-11 Canada West season, they will do it without their most decorated player.
After spending the last three seasons honing his skills at TRU, outside hitter Gord Perrin has elected to leave school to train full time with Canada’s National “A” men’s team.
Perrin Delivers vs Trinity 2009 (A. Snucins)
“It’s a bitter sweet feeling leaving TRU,” said Perrin from Gatineau Quebec which is the site of the National Team training headquarters. “I have made some great friends and played with some outstanding players.”
But none as outstanding as Perrin. Coming to the WolfPack from Prince Charles Secondary (Creston, BC) in 2008, he immediately made an impact. Coach Pat Hennelly says it’s no coincidence that Perrin’s arrival spurred on his team’s rise up the CIS ladder.
“He was a Canada West Rookie of the year and our first All-Canadian (2009-10), our first member of the Junior National Team. He set a bunch of bench marks for the WolfPack Program. Gord has meant a lot to our program. He will be a hard guy to replace. To date, he’s been the best player I have ever coached.”
Hennelly remembers Perrin’s arrival at TRU. “Our first year, we went on a trip to Denmark and Belgium. It took Gord a little while to acclimatize to what it’s like to be part of a team and have guys who were just as physical as him. He was used to being the best player. But that year, he had to play a lesser role to Robin Schoebel and Martin Korsbak.”
Perrin didn’t start right away. He was on the bench until veteran Troy Jaggard hurt his back in Canada West play in November 2008. From then on, the 6’6” Creston, BC native never looked back. “He never left the floor after that,” Hennelly explains. “His skill development has improved dramatically every year. Gord had all the skills, it was just a matter of working at them and getting used to the speed of the game.”
2008-09
Hennelly really noticed a change in Perrin in the last year and a half. “He really hit the weight room and became a leader both on and off the court.”
Perrin agrees that it’s the last couple of years which have made the difference. “My experience at TRU has helped me mature as a volleyball player. It taught me to hold myself and control my emotions on and off the court.”
Perrin receives Volleyball BC Ray Lepp Award 2009
Hennelly thinks Perrin has left a legacy not only at TRU but with BC Volleyball. “Kids here at this Team BC camp talk about how good Gord is when they go to watch him,” he explains. Hennelly is the coach of the BC U-17 boys team. “Gord has left an impression with players from all over the province, especially other kids from small towns in BC.”
The WolfPack coach says Perrin is someone you can’t instantly replace. “It definitely won’t happen in one year and maybe not until five years.”
Perrin serves at 2009 CIS Nationals vs Dalhousie
For Hennelly: the big question is who will take Perrin’s spot in the line up. Obviously, the pressure to produce offense will key on second year left side Kevin Tillie (Cagnes Sur Mer, France), the 2009-10 CIS Rookie of the Year. “I think opposition will be keying on Kevin this year for sure. The good thing is that the two times that Kevin had his best matches last season were when Gord was either out of the line up or not playing his best. Gord was effective from both the back and the front row, with him gone we have lost 40 per cent of our offense. We’ll be looking for some young guys to pick up the slack.”
Perrin will never forget the WolfPack and his experience here. “ I am grateful for being a member of the WolfPack. Pat has done a great job of building the program from the ground up. To be able to be apart of what he has done at the school was an amazing experience. I know the program will continue to grow and be one of the strongest in the nation. I wish them nothing but success in the future.”
Gord Perrin 2009-10
Hennelly says the sky is the limit for his now former player. “He has the potential of being not only a great national team player but an international player as well. We wish him all the best and are happy we got three great years out of Gord Perrin.
SIDE OUTS: Perrin leaves as the WolfPack career leader in kills (961), kills per game (3.84) attack attempts (2227) and points (1099). He established single season records last year for kills (443), kills per game (4.46) attack attempts (1054), points (448.5) and points per game (5.04).
KOREA GOOD EXPERIENCE FOR WOLFPACK MVB PLAYER July 5, 2010
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Matt Krueger in Korea with SKK
Going to university is supposed to bring a young person not only knowledge but life experience. For Matt Krueger of Abbotsford, BC, his time at Thompson Rivers University has seen him not only participate in the CIS National men’s volleyball championships but now getting the chance to go to Korea.
The now 2nd year player has spent the last five weeks learning the sport he loves at SKK, a university in Seoul, South Korea. Krueger became the fourth WolfPack player in as many years to get the opportunity to hone his craft. It was the latest in a long term relationship between the Athletic Director of SKK, Dr. Han-Joo Eom and the head coach of the WolfPack, Pat Hennelly.
Krueger says he learned a lot during his time with SKK. “The intensity, focus and dedication that the Korean athletes perform on a daily basis is unbelievable. I’ve never been apart of anything that comes close to comparing to the level of training which I got to participate in. It was a real eye opener.”
Krueger and his SKK teammates spent some 6-8 hours practicing, lifting weights and working on their fitness. Most of the sessions were at least two and a half hours in length. Not only was the Mennonite Educational Institute graduate curious about Korean volleyball and culture, but he fielded a lot of questions himself about life in the CIS. “ The players at SKK have been to Canada and have played against TRU and UBC, sothey had many questions about certain players that they have played against. They also had a lot of questions about how the game is played in Canada and how its different than the game they played.”
So, how would Krueger stack up CIS volleyball against what he experienced in Korea? “If TRU and SKK played against each other who would win?” Krueger explains. “ I would have to give TRU the upper edge a little bit, but the SKK team is very skilled. They passed the ball extremely well. Without a doubt, it was the best passing I have ever seen. As well, the hitting and blocking were very precise. It would be a good match. I hope sometime in the future it’ll happen.”
Krueger says he’ll take a lot away from his five week ‘tour’ which he hopes to put into his game with the WolfPack in 2010-11. “This experience will bring more intensity and communication to my game. The Korean players worked hard and were intense in every single drill and every single point that was played. During these drills, the gym was never quiet. Those two skills will definitely stick with me and hopefully I can include them into my game this coming season.”
Reflecting on his experience, Krueger undoubtedly asked if he would go back. “ Yes, I’d do it again. It really is an unbelievable learning experience. I learned so much about volleyball and life. I hope to keep it with me forever.”
Krueger will be back with his WolfPack teammates preparing for the upcoming Canada West season in late August.
SIDE OUTS: Krueger says his trip to Korea wasn’t without some pitfalls. “ At times, the trip had its hard moments. The culture in Korea is very different and communicating with the coaches and players was sometimes challenging. I needed to learn and understand the culture there. But, once I did, everything came together and I began to feel more comfortable. I have to give a big thanks to everyone who worked with me in Korea including Dr. Eom, Mr Park and the entire SKK volleyball team. They all welcomed me and helped me out greatly.
One of the highlights of his time was watching a Pro FIVB World League game and seeing how professional volleyball players worked.
He adds “ Off the court, while being in a new culture, I learned a lot about myself. I did many things that I never thought I would, so I believe I became stronger by going on this trip.”
Krueger followed in the footsteps of Tim Flannigan, Andy Haley and Kyle Donen as TRU players who went to Korea to train.