Men's Volleyball

Men's Volleyball

The WolfPack men's volleyball team will be adding a new chapter to their already storied short history in the CIS. in 2010-11.
This will be a 'turning of the page' with a number of the key ingredients to the team's previous success moving on.

Behlul Yavasgel (Aydkin, Turkey) became the first player in school history to graduate while playing five full years in the Canada West.  Robin Schoebel (Monaco), a former Canada West  Rookie of the Year has retired.

2009-10 was a year of firsts for Pat Hennelly and his WolfPack Men's Volleyball squad.  They hosted the National Championships in March where they placed fifth.   This was the first time that Thompson Rivers University  hosted such an event.

Two of the WolfPack's top players received major honors last season.  Gord Perrin (Creston, BC) was named to the CIS First All-Star Team.  It was the first time ever that a player from TRU received the honor.   Kevin Tillie (Cagnes Sur Mer, France) was not only named to the CIS All-Rookie Team, but he was also chosen as the CIS Rookie of the Year. That was the first time that happened.

Hennelly and his team have been the flagship of this young CIS program.  In 2008, the WolfPack captured not only the bronze medal in the Canada West final four, but downed Dalhousie to win the bronze at the CIS Nationals in Laval, Quebec. That event saw TRU knock off the home school in five sets before 3 thousand screaming fans.

Hennelly has put together a squad which has a blend of youth and experience.  Colin Carson (Prince George, BC) turned a lot of heads in CIS circles as he came in and was one of the country's top setters in his rookie campaign. Mike Hammond (Barrie, Ont) and Joel Caschetto (White Rock, BC)  were two strong forces in the middle position after both transfered to TRU from college.

Spencer Reed (Prince George, BC) emerged as a solid libero with increased playing time at the CIS Nationals.  Matt Krueger (Clearbrook, BC), and Alex Davis (White Rock, BC) will vye for more floor time this season.

New recruits include three of the top players in the Canadian College Athletic Association in Ryan Talsma, a 6’7” right side from Redeemer University College (Ontario) was a three time CCAA All-Canadian.  He is joined by 6'8" middle Adam Leblanc from Nippising University College (Ontario) and Aleks Saddlemyer, a 6’5” right side from Camosun College (BC) where he was a two time CCAA All-Star. Another college transfer is  Mike Hawkins a 6’2” setter from Lethbridge College (Alberta).

High School signees for 2010-11 include Jesse Bazergui, an outside hitter from White Rock, BC,  Jason Fennema,a middle, from Houston, BC and Stuart Richey, a leftside/rightside from Gibsons, BC.