WolfPack’s Pakhomenko and Wolf hoping to play for Canada

May 2, 2016 | 7:20 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack will have their largest appearance ever when Canada’s Senior Women’s Volleyball program opens its training camp on Monday (May 2).

The WolfPack will be represented by three individuals at the Winnipeg, Manitoba camp for the first time.  Head coach Chad Grimm will be one of the guest coaches while players Iuliia Pakhomenko (4th year, outside hitter, Donetsk, Ukraine) and Alyssa Wolf (5th year, libero, South Surrey, BC) will be among the participants.

“This will be a great chance for all of us to gain some exposure and learn a lot,” said Grimm who got the invite to assist head coach Arnd Ludvig after the two met at the recent CIS Nationals. “From a professional  development standpoint it will be a good chance for me to work with some top end athletes and at the same time learn from experienced coaches. I hope to get some insight on how the game is played at the next level. ”

“The beauty of the open tryout is that anyone who is interested and has the skills gets the chance to show what they can do. Alyssa certainly has the skills,” Grimm says about his players. “ Iuliia has been recognized for her play on the court the last couple of years.  She will get a chance to see how the National team process works.”

Pakhomenko was the CIS and Canada West player of the year. She will arrive in Winnipeg on Tuesday morning (May 2) after the BLG awards which are being held in Calgary, Alberta.  Pakhomenko recently got married and is applying for Canadian citizenship. Depending on when the paperwork is completed, she will officially be eligible to play for this country.  In the meantime, she will be evaluated and go through the training camp process. 

“It is a huge honor to be part of the national team process,” she says. “ I think it what every athlete should dream about.”

Pakhomenko has represented her native Ukraine on the International stage at the Junior Level. She believes that experience will benefit her as she aims to make Team Canada. “ It is very prestigious to represent your country.  It takes a lot of hard work though.”

Wolf was one of the top liberos in the Canada West in her first year playing the position.  “ I am taking advantage of every opportunity. This is a ‘once in a lifetime experience.” I’m excited about playing with the top players in the country and getting some awesome coaching.”

Wolf says she is going in with no expectations but planning to work very hard.  She believes trying out for the National team is another step in her evolution as a player. “ Just making the step up to CIS two seasons ago really helped me realize that I can play in the top leagues too. I feel pretty good going into it.”

Pakhomenko says having Grimm and Wolf there will help with any nerves and at the same time benefit all of them seeing familiar faces.  “That support will give me some confidence for sure.”

“I am excited that Iuliia and I can experience this training camp together,” adds Wolf. “I do know a couple of the other girls who are trying out as well.”

Wolf has spent the last few weeks on a specifically designed program to prepare her for the national team training camp. Both players have also practiced with a number of the TRU men’s players including Brad Gunter (Courtenay, BC), Kyle Behiels (Edmonton, AB) and Sam Taylor Parks (Kelowna, BC). All three of whom will be trying out for the National men’s senior and junior teams later this spring/summer.

 

SIDE OUTS: The last time Canada qualified for the Olympics in women’s volleyball was 1996.  We did not qualify for this year’s games.  Because it is an ‘off year’ in the training cycle, most of the veteran members of the Senior women’s program will not be in Winnipeg. As many as 30 players will be selected to train and compete in a number of events in June.   The tryout camp goes until May 6th. Training camp will run May 7-June 30th.