WOLFPACK MVB TO HOST INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT FOR 2ND STRAIGHT YEAR.
For Release: December 18, 2008
Kamloops—Volleyball fans of the BC Interior are getting the chance to start the New Year with a treat. For the second straight year, the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack are hosting an International tournament.
“For volleyball and sports enthusiasts, you will get a chance to see not only a great level of volleyball, but a different way its played, “ says WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly. “There are cultural difference. There is a slight difference in how the Americans play. Their sweeping of the Beach gold medals, their men taking the gold and women winning a silver put them, arguably as one of the top Volleyball nations in the world. Then you add the Asian influence, which is very much ball control.”
The four team tournament will feature Pepperdine University of California. The Wave are back for a second year. Pepperdine finished second in the NCAA last season, losing to Penn State in the final.
“They are one of the premier programs in the US, “ says Hennelly “They also have an international flavour. Their right side is from Australia. He was named that country’s players of the year. If you think of having one of the best players in the world playing on your team as a 22 year old, that’ll be very special.”
Joining Pepperdine will be Budo Japan. Their University team is closing out a Canadian tour with a stopover in Kamloops.
“Physically, they are no where near the same size our team or Pepperdine, “ says Hennelly. “But they will compete with us. It’s good for people to realize that their level of training and dedication to the sport, and the style they play is quite a bit different that ours. But they do well. Their volleyball specializes in quick attack and diving for the ball. Those were things that weren’t done in the sport in the 70’s and 80’s. It allowed them to compete and actually raised the level of volleyball around the world.”
Hennelly believes both the Americans and Japanese are two landmark countries in the sport of Volleyball.
The other team competing in the tournament, which is sponsored this year by McDonalds of Kamloops, is the University of Sherbrooke Vert et Or.
“Sherbrooke won’t be as physicial as us, “ says Hennelly “But they will be competitive. If you take a look at the middle position, they will have a 6’3” or 6’4” guy matched up against Martin Korsbak (6’9”) or Conor Eatch (6’8”). We’ll have a definite advantage but they play a very ball controlled, skilled game. I expect them to play a very controlled but passionate game. “
The McDonald’s Men’s International Volleyball Tournament begins Friday January 2nd with Sherbrooke meeting Budo at 6 pm, TRU meet up with Pepperdine in the feature match at 730 pm. Both those matches are at the Tournament Capital center. The event wraps up Sunday January 4 th with the bronze medal match set for 3 pm and the gold medal at 5 pm.
SIDEOUTS: The other three schools are all in Saskatoon for the Brian Mallard Invitiational Tournament (Dec 29-31). Sherbrooke plays Budo on Dec 29 th, Budo faces Pepperdine and Pepperdine faces Sherbrooke on December 30 th with the bronze medal and gold medal games going December 31 st. The teams fly here immediate after.
Tickets are available at the door or from the TRU Athletics Office at the Tournament Capital Center. Day passes are $ 8.00 for Adults, $ 4.00 for Students and Seniors. Children Under 6 get in free.