WolfPack women’s volleyball begins second half of year in Calgary

KAMLOOPS – The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack will spend the first two weekends of the 2017 Canada West women’s volleyball season on the road.

The Pack begin the second half of the year with matches in Calgary, Alberta against the University of Calgary Dinos.Friday  (Jan 5) at the Jack Simpson Gym. The WolfPack then visit the Trinity Western University Spartans the following weekend (Jan 13-14).

Calgary enters the series with a record of 8-2, tied for third place while the WolfPack are .500 (5-5) and sit in a tie for fifth.

“I think the girls are excited to get started with the second half of the year and traditionally we have played well on the road,” said WolfPack head coach Chad Grimm. “We are starting off with two tough teams both on the road so it will be a good test for our group. I have liked our effort in training camp and the growth we have made.”

The WolfPack are coming off some exhibition scrimmages and practices late last week and early this week with the Dalhousie University Tigers (AUS) and the UBCO Heat.  Grimm says it was a good experience. “We got to train and play with two quality opponents in UBCO and Dalhousie so I think that will be positive before we head into Calgary.  We have been able to work off some of the rust in game situations so I hope that will benefit us on the road this week.”

Grimm believes the ‘Pack and Dinos will match up well. “Calgary is a physical team that scrambles well and can punish you with their block and are also able to transition out of system very well. They also have one of the premier outside hitters in the league in Kate Pexman so she will provide a challenge for us as well.”

After the two weekends on the road, TRU will have a bye week. The WolfPack spend a lot of the second half of the year away from the Tournament Capital Centre.

“The schedule is tough and as always we will have to earn every point in order to be successful,” Grimm states. “I think if we are able to continue to improve in our communication and have the mental toughness to push ourselves and our opponents relentlessly then we will be successful.”

The WolfPack don’t have a home match until Friday, January 27th when the University of Regina Cougars come to town.

This weekend’s matches will be seen on a pay per view basis on www.Canadawesttv.com.