EDUCATIONAL WRINKLE PROMPTS WOLFPACK VOLLEYBALLERS TO RETURN HOME.
For Release: February 4, 2009
Kamloops, BC—The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Volleyball program will be losing two of its Danish contingent after this school year. 2nd year setters Martin Stenderup and Stine Christiansen are reluctantly returning home at the conclusion of classes in April. Both stress it had nothing to do with the volleyball, but everything to do with education.
“We have problems transferring our degree to Denmark because we started school here,” says Christiansen. “The Danish Education System will not let us know if the degree is valid there until we have finished and they’ve looked over every course. Because there are so many electives, especially in psychology, the risk is too high that the degree won’t be valid and we would have to start over.”
Christiansen is majoring in Psychology while Stenderup, her boyfriend, is in Business majoring in Economics.
“It was both easy and very difficult to decide,” said Christiansen on the move. “ The easy part was that the match-up in the degree just didn't fit. The hard part was to actually decide not coming back to the team and the friends we have made here. “
Christiansen was able to play immediately when the two decided to come to TRU in September of 2007. Stenderup had to ‘red shirt’ for a year after being deemed a professional after playing in a Danish league.
As for the future? says Christiansen: “Martin and I are thinking about postponing the studying for a year to play in Europe, but if that doesn't work out I will apply for the psychology program at Copenhagen University in Denmark and play in Copenhagen. “
And how does Stenderup compare Danish Volleyball to that of the CIS now that the two have experienced both? “The womens league is more competitive here which was good for Stine,” he says. “ The mens league have more talent in their players, but less experience. They play slower and more physical volleyball here where I am used to a faster offense”
Both of the WolfPack’s coaches are saddened by the news that they’ll be losing the players. Men’s Coach Pat Hennelly states “Its unfortunate. Martin is a great guy and an excellent athlete. Martin has one of the best serves in the CIS, and being a left handed setter he adds an offensive dimension when he is on the court. He has made our team more competitive since joining 2 years ago. Everyone in our program has been made better because of Martin"
While TRU Women’s Coach Cal Wohlford said “ It was a simple education over volleyball decision. We would love to have Stine to stay but it’s best for her long term future that she moves on. “
As for replacing them. Wohlford said “Lindsay (Niminiken, 4 th year, setter, South Slocan, BC) has come in and done a good job sharing court time with Stine. And with the constant evolution of the sport, we would have been looking for another setter at the end of next year when Stine entered her fourth year of eligibility.” Hennelly, meantime has recently inked Colin Carson of Prince George, BC to come in as an understudy to starter Colin Jaggard (Calgary, Alta going into his fifth year in2009-10).
Both Stenderup and Christiansen have fond memories of their time at TRU. “I hope I have been a good role model for the younger players in the program. I have shown them how Europeans understand the word work-ethics with my dedication to the sport. And I think I showed them a bit about the European temper in the beginning ́- they weren't used to that!” she says.
“I’m hoping to cap things off with another medal at the Nationals.” adds Stenderup.
“I have enjoyed being a part of this program.” Says Christiansen. “ It is still a young program and the players are very young compared to what I have played with before, but I think that the program has matured even from my first year last year til now. TRU has some great opportunities with this program and I think my team will be better each year.”
Christiansen will play her final matches in a WolfPack uniform this weekend (Feb 6-7) when TRU closes out the Canada West season at home to the University of Regina Cougars. Stenderup and his WolfPack teammates are preparing for the first round of the playoffs set for the weekend of February 13-15 th.