WVB FALL TO REGINA IN FINAL MATCH OF SEASON
(Left: Richelle Walton, Carrie Barrett and Laura Plouffe)
(Right: Graduating 5 th year players Richelle Walton and Laura Plouffe)
For immediate Release: February 7, 2009
Kamloops—What has been their best season in the CIS came to a sad conclusion for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s volleyball team. The WolfPack, who won more games this season than their three previous, fell in four sets to the visiting University of Regina Cougars. The scores were 25-20,17-25,15-25,22-25.
The match marked the final one for the WolfPack’s two fifth year players. Libero Laura Plouffe (Sherwood Park, Alta) and outside hitter Richelle Walton (Langley, BC) had friends and family on hand for both weekend matches which were a split.
“Not the way we wanted to end it, “said Plouffe. “But I think we battled really hard. We overcame some obstacles but we made some adjustments to playing against them. We tried to keep it light and had a good time.” Plouffe had 11 digs.
“It was pretty emotional. It wasn’t the outcome we wanted,” said Walton. “But I thought it was a good way to leave.” Walton had seven kills in 25 attempts with one service ace and seven digs.
The Cougars were led by Lisa Abrahamowicz (3rd year, outside hitter, Regina Sask) for the second night in a row. She had 17 kills and 24 digs. Regina had five players in double digits in kills. Tiffany Herman (2nd year, setter, Craven, Sask) h ad 52 assists.
The WolfPack were led by 2nd year outside hitter Amanda Frayne (Kamloops, BC). She had 12 kills on 40 chances. Anna Dyakiewicz (2nd year, outside hitter, Burnaby, BC) had 11 kills in 36 opportunities. Stine Christainsen (2nd year, setter, Ribe, Denmark), playing in her final CIS match had 33 assists.
“I really saw Anna and Amanda come out of their shells.” Said WolfPack head coach Cal Wohlford, who could have been coaching his final match. Wohlford was on a one year contract while Carrie Barrett was on maternity leave. “ In the fourth set, Anna was taking control. She was telling people where to move. She didn’t want to lose. It’ll only get better for next year. Amanda was playing better in a new position (the right side). I’m sure next year she’ll be back at power and she’ll do great. I think Anna, Amanda and Michella (Domo, 2nd year, middle, New Westminster, BC) are three girls which will take this team to Nationals.”
The Cougars finish the regular season at 10-10. TRU finished up at 6 and 14: their best record ever.
Walton came to tears when asked about the impact she and Plouffe had on the program. “I feel really priviledged to come even come here. I started off in college (Malispina). I never thought I would have had a chance to play at CIS. Things just fell into place. It’s been an honor to be part of this program. Its already changed so much. It’s really exciting. I’m going to look back at this with fond memories.”