PANDAS STILL UNBLEMISHED IN CANADA WEST REGULAR SEASON VBALL PLAY

For Immediate Release: November 22, 2008

Kamloops--Although they had to work a little harder for it, the University of Alberta Pandas still experienced the same result: a victory.  The Pandas raised their record to 8 and 0 in the Canada West with a straight set victory over the hometown Thompson Rivers University WolfPack.  The scores were 25-14,25-13,25-19.

"It was a match that we had to finish out," said Pandas head coach Laurie Eisler.  "They definately gave us more of a challange."

The Pandas were led by Jocelyn Blair. The 5 th year left side from St. Albert, Alta led with 12 kills and had 10 blocks.
"Shes are All Canadian," says Eisler. "She can be physicially dominating. You saw a little of that tonite.  She can come up with some big blocks when we need them."

But Eisler stresses that if the Pandas are to achieve their goal of a CIS championship, its going to come with a balanced effort."
The nice thing we have on this team this year is a balance. We aren't relying on one particular player."

Setter Daryll Roper (5th year, St. Albert, Alta)  had 31 assists for the Pandas. Kelci French(1st year, right side, Okotoks, Alta) contributed 12 digs.

WolfPack coach Cal Wohlford was pleased with what he saw in his team's effort.  "I felt that in all three sets, we played some very good volleyball. Even when we made a lot of errors, the girls didn't look dejected. They worked their way through it.  I thought our most fire came in the third set. It is our errors which are killing us.  We need to control it. Granted, Alberta is a very good team...we can't give them an easy ball."

The third set (won 25-19 by the Pandas), saw TRU take its only lead of the match, when they went up 5-4.

Wohlford that unlike their three straight loss on Friday (Nov 21), his club was able to establish more of a passing game.
"When we get a bit of rhythm, we can make some hits and get our offense going. Its one of those things, we need to be calm and relaxed and also there has to be a sense of urgency.  The girls had a better grip of it today."

Anna Dyakiewicz (2nd year, left side, Burnaby, BC) led the way with nine kills.  Stine Christainsen (2nd year, setter, Ribe, Denmark) had 15 assists in being named the Kamloops Subway "Leader of the Pack" player of the game.

The WolfPack bench boss admits that the tougher part of their schedule is over.  "We are now competing with teams that we can beat. Winnipeg and Saskatchewan are teams that we want to be able to get to.  If we play the same way we did against
Alberta, we'll be successful."

For Alberta coach Eisler:She admits that her team taking it day by day and not looking at the standings "We are now preparing for Calgary next weekend. That's our next priority."

SIDEOUTS: The WolfPack are now 1 and 7 in league play. The Pack haven't won a set in six matches.