TRU WOLFPACK WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM. (Image Credit: TRU WolfPack/Archie Golding-Left Right Media)

By Marty Hastings

CANADA WEST

WolfPack women raising money to fight cancer on Shoot for the Cure night

Jan 14, 2026 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — Maddy Hackman is playing for Izzy’s mom, Olivia Wheatley is playing for her uncle and Sydney Vollrath is playing for her best friend’s grandma. 

The TRU WolfPack women’s basketball team players made those statements in a video on social media ahead of the Shoot for the Cure game on Saturday (Jan. 17), during which fans are encouraged to donate to the Canadian Cancer Society. 

“It’s a good way to remind everybody that sport isn’t just about competition and it’s a way to involve the community and use our platform that we’re given,” said Vollrath, a third-year guard from St. Albert, Alta. 

“It impacts everybody in ways you don’t even know. It’s just good to be able to help and support and raise awareness for those causes.” 

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TRU is scheduled to host the UBC Thunderbirds (8-4) on Saturday, with game time slated for 4 p.m. at the TCC. 

Those who cannot attend and wish to donate can visit this website. 

The WolfPack (6-8) have two pivotal games this week, the first against the Fraser Valley Cascades of Abbotsford on Thursday (Jan. 15), a 6 p.m. start at the TCC. 

Fraser Valley (6-7) is tied for fourth with the Victoria Vikes (6-7) in the Pacific Division, with the Pack hot on their tails in sixth place. 

The top five teams in the division will qualify for the playoffs. 

TRU has not reached the post-season on merit since 2020 and is well positioned to bump that slump one season removed from posting a 1-19 record. 

“I think it’s just the dedication all the girls put in over the summer and we really all committed to the scheme that the coaches have been pushing on us all summer, all year, changing our atmosphere, changing our culture,” Vollrath said when asked about the stark turnaround.

Head coach Scott Clark and associate head coach Joe Davis are leading the resurgent Pack and asking players to keep most of their focus on the game against Fraser Valley. 

“At the start of the year, we talk about outcome goals and we also talk about process goals,” Davis said. “We’re aware of what our outcome goals are and they’ve been discussed with the team. But we know for us to have our best chance at accomplishing that, it’s really important to stay in the moment and be present and focus on the process goals until then.” 

After the Fraser Valley contest, TRU will turn its attention to UBC – and fighting back against cancer. 

Janeesh Sran will be playing for her grandpa, Paige Leahy will be playing for her little cousin and Izzy Phillips will be playing for her mom.