MVB 500 AT HALF WAY POINT: HENNELLY PREDICTS BETTER 2ND HALF
For immediate Release: December 15, 2008
Kamloops BC-Almost but not quite there. That’s how the head coach of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s volleyball team looks at how his club has performed over the first half of the 2008-09 Canada West season.
“I thought being over 500 was a realistic goal,” states Pat Hennelly. “ You go into the season not knowing the strengths of the league and how injuries will effect you. I guess I’m happy with our 500 record (5-5).”
The WolfPack had their injuries in the first half. 3rd year middle Martin Korsbak (Nyborg, Denmark) and 3rd year outside hitter Robin Schoebel (Monaco) missed most of the pre-season with injuries. Once the season began, Shoebel saw very limited playing time due to a wonky knee. Korsbak’s back was still acting up. They were joined on the shelf by outside hitter Behluhl Yavasgel (3rd year, Aydin Turkey) with a separated shoulder and Conor Eatch (1st year,middle, Aurora, Ont) with a bruised shoulder.
Still, Hennelly is confident that his club can come out with not only a playoff spot but a legitimate chance at hosting a playoff series. “I think the 2-8 spots are still up for grabs. The teams with zeros (Alberta at 10 and 0, Regina and Saskatchewan at 0 and 10) have their spots solidified. Everything else is wide open.”
“Obviously we have to do some damage in the second half. But I feel good about how our team performed in the last three weeks (including a sweep of Saskatchewan) and how the feeling is among the players going into the break.”
The WolfPack have been traditionally slow starters in the first half of the season, so the fact the team isn’t among the top three record wise doesn’t worry Hennelly that much: yet.
He does say that the main difference now is that because of their bronze medal finishes in playoffs and at the nationals, teams are ‘gunning’ for them rather than being the hunter. “We underestimated how bad teams want to beat us this year,” says Hennelly “We didn’t have a target on our back in the preseason last year. We were the team fighting for respect. You look at a team like Calgary this year. They really came after us in the preseason. They wanted to send a message by beating us. I still hear them talking about the fact they beat us three straight. They came out to make a statement and did exactly that. It was a good eye opener for our team as well. We learned we can’t just show up and expect to win.”
Hennelly says his squad has moved forward by growing and maturing over the first half.
“What I like is that we have struggled now this first semester. We’ve gone through some issues as a team and as an individual player. Guys have dipped down in their performance and risen back up. Any time you have gotten through some adversity, you get stronger. I actually think we are in a better spot this year compared to last year.”
Hennelly admits expectations were high on his club. He thinks his team maybe assumed that the success they garnered at the end of the 2008 campaign would automatically continue in the fall. “ You take two starters away from last year and have one to three starters injured throughout the year, “ says Hennelly “You have a very different team. I would assess the first month of the regular season as being relaxed and confident. But then the panic mode set in. We had some confidence going in, but it was a false bravado and obviously, that coupled with the big expectations and a big pre-season crowd gave us a sense that we would just slide into a top three spot. That didn’t happen.”
Winning the home opener against UBC for the first time in his four seasons on the bench of the WolfPack was Hennelly’s highlight of the opening 10 matches. “ I put a lot of emphasis on the home opener. We had a big crowd and it was our toughest competition. Obviously you want a victory to set the tone for the rest of the season.” Personnel wise, he points to Eatch, the 6-5 middle, as the biggest surprise of the first half. “I like the way he came in as a freshman and established himself as a serious contender for a starting role. He was one of our best players in the first half. The night we lost in five in Winnipeg, he was the best middle on the floor. That’s great for a young guy and bodes well for our program.”
“What epitimises our first half could be the play of Andy Haley,” Hennelly continued “ He was given an opportunity to play against UBC and did well as a fifth year guy. He struggled for the next few weeks and came on strong against Saskatchewan. “
The WolfPack play only once at home in the second half (Jan 16 and 17 against Brandon). He admits it’ll be tough for them. “We have two road games in a row, fortunately the Trinity Western trip isn’t very long. Those matches and our trip to Calgary at the end (Jan 30 and 31) will definitely determine how we will finish”. He adds “Last year, we actually played better on the road. Some of our landmark victories came away from the Tournament Capital Center. We have a horrendously long and trying pre season to gear up for playing on the road and I think we actually enjoy it.”
He adds though, he would like to be home for the final two matches against the Dinos. He says to secure a home playoff round, the WolfPack will have to sweep or at least go 500 against Trinity, Regina and Calgary.
SIDE OUTS: WolfPack outside hitter Gord Perrin (2nd year, Creston, BC) has been nominated for a couple of year end awards including Sport BC’s University Male athlete of the year. Perrin was the Canada West rookie of the year, member of the CIS All rookie team, a member of Canada’s National Junior Men’s Volleyball team and named top hitter at the NORCECA tourney in El Salvador this year