WESMEN - Athletics

Women’s Volleyball

Things look to be starting on a positive note this year for the Wesmen as they knocked off their alumni 3-0 for the first time ever last week.

“We played really well,” said Coach Diane Scott. “Our offensive is much more in sync than it was a year ago.” Scott was also happy to see players from a storied past that includes 7 National Champions out on the court again.

“It’s always important to have the former players out, it maintains the connection with the past and to the history of the program. It is great to show respect to the former players.”

This week the Wesmen will practice in the lead up to their first CIS action of the year when they travel west for the Regina Invitational Tournament on Friday and Saturday. The competition features six Canada West teams, and will give the 2002-03 silver medal winning Wesmen a taste of what they will be facing during the regular season that starts next month.

“It is a great opportunity to see these teams right off the bat,” says Scott. “And it still comes down to how we play in Canada West that will ultimately determine whether we get a spot in Nationals.

Women’s Basketball

Coach Tanya McKay’s squad split up for an inter-squad game last week and she was happy with what she witnessed.

“It was a good, up-tempo game,” said McKay. “And the girls were happy to be in a game situation after all the early season practices. ”
11 team members took part in the game, and with only one sub there was no time to rest.

“They all looked really fit,” said McKay. “It was a great game to watch.”

This week the Wesmen face their alumni and the annual challenge is shaping up to be a competitive contest. Many members of recent teams, including Angela Willerton, Heidi Schwartz and Charmaine Izzard of last season’s silver medal winning team, will be on the floor for the alumni. They will be joined by other Wesmen stars of the past including members of the three national championship teams of the early 1990’s. On the weekend the Wesmen will pack up and head south for a coaching clinic and inter-squad game at Rouseau High School in Roseau, Minnesota.

Men’s Basketball

It was a good week of practice for Coach Dave Crook’s team. The squad also engaged in its annual inter-squad game on Wednesday evening, where many of the newcomers showed a lot of promise. But that has made some decisions a little more difficult for the Wesmen bench boss still contemplating his final roster.

“Some of these guys are making it really hard,” says Crook. “It has been a pleasant surprise.”
Fourth year forward Tony Richter also turned in a solid performance during the inter-squad game.

“He was very good, both defensively and offensively – getting out and running the floor,” says Crook.
This week the Wesmen face the Alumni in the annual contest at the Duckworth Centre on Wednesday night at 7:30.
Wesmen assistant coach and sharp shooter Matej Maroti will suit up for the alumni in an effort to show the current players that he still has a bit of gas left in the tank.

On a somber note, the Canadian University Basketball Community was shocked and saddened last week, when learning of the sudden death of the University of Victoria Men’s Basketball coach Guy Vetrie. The long time CIS coach headed up the Vikes for 15 seasons and this year was going to coach his son on the team.
“He was a good friend and colleague,” said Crook. “I’ve known him for 20 years and it was a shock. The impact on the family, the university and his team will be immeasurable. It is a sad day for the basketball community in Canada.”

Men’s Volleyball

Wesmen coach Larry McKay added a bit of international flavour to practice last week. Marcel Gromandowski, a member of the Polish National Junior Team, and cousin of Wesmen Women’s Volleyball team member Kristen Brisebois, was in town visiting family when he dropped by the Duckworth Centre. McKay recognized him right away.

“He was the best player on the floor when Poland beat us in a big game during the World Championships,” said McKay, who coached Team Canada’s entry in the tournament in Iran during the summer. Poland went on to win the competition.
Gromandowski asked McKay if he could practice with the team and McKay was more than willing to oblige.
“He’s a big kid that can really hit the ball – and it was good for the guys to go up against that in practice.”
Last week the Wesmen also faced their alumni in the yearly contest and walked away with a 2 sets to 1 victory. The 12 alumni players represented some of the best from the past in a program that has captured 9 CIS titles.
“They are a piece of our history,” said McKay. “And It is always good to re-connect with those guys.” The Wesmen see their first CIS action against Dalhousie University on Oct. 1st and 2nd in a prelude to the BOB FM Invitational Tournament on the weekend of Oct. 3rd to 5th.

WESMEN NEWS
September 22 to September 28 /2003 *Women’s Volleyball* Things look to be starting on a positive note this year for the Wesmen as they knocked off their alumni 3-0 for the first time ever last week. “We played really well,” said Coach Diane Scott. “Our offensive is much more in sync than it was a year ago.” Scott was also happy to see players from a storied past that includes 7 National Champions out on the court again. “It’s always important to have the former players out, it maintains the connection with the past and to the history of the program. It is great to show respect to the former players.” This week the Wesmen will practice in the lead up to their first CIS action of the year when they travel west for the Regina Invitational Tournament on Friday and Saturday. The competition features six Canada West teams, and will give the 2002-03 silver medal winning Wesmen a taste of what they will be facing during the regular season that starts next month. “It is a great opportunity to see these teams right off the bat,” says Scott. “And it still comes down to how we play in Canada West that will ultimately determine whether we get a spot in Nationals. *Women’s Basketball* Coach Tanya McKay’s squad split up for an inter-squad game last week and she was happy with what she witnessed. “It was a good, up-tempo game,” said McKay. “And the girls were happy to be in a game situation after all the early season practices. ” 11 team members took part in the game, and with only one sub there was no time to rest. “They all looked really fit,” said McKay. “It was a great game to watch.” This week the Wesmen face their alumni and the annual challenge is shaping up to be a competitive contest. Many members of recent teams, including Angela Willerton, Heidi Schwartz and Charmaine Izzard of last season’s silver medal winning team, will be on the floor for the alumni. They will be joined by other Wesmen stars of the past including members of the three national championship teams of the early 1990’s. On the weekend the Wesmen will pack up and head south for a coaching clinic and inter-squad game at Rouseau High School in Roseau, Minnesota. *Men’s Basketball* It was a good week of practice for Coach Dave Crook’s team. The squad also engaged in its annual inter-squad game on Wednesday evening, where many of the newcomers showed a lot of promise. But that has made some decisions a little more difficult for the Wesmen bench boss still contemplating his final roster. “Some of these guys are making it really hard,” says Crook. “It has been a pleasant surprise.” Fourth year forward Tony Richter also turned in a solid performance during the inter-squad game. “He was very good, both defensively and offensively – getting out and running the floor,” says Crook. This week the Wesmen face the Alumni in the annual contest at the Duckworth Centre on Wednesday night at 7:30. Wesmen assistant coach and sharp shooter Matej Maroti will suit up for the alumni in an effort to show the current players that he still has a bit of gas left in the tank. On a somber note, the Canadian University Basketball Community was shocked and saddened last week, when learning of the sudden death of the University of Victoria Men’s Basketball coach Guy Vetrie. The long time CIS coach headed up the Vikes for 15 seasons and this year was going to coach his son on the team. “He was a good friend and colleague,” said Crook. “I’ve known him for 20 years and it was a shock. The impact on the family, the university and his team will be immeasurable. It is a sad day for the basketball community in Canada.” *Men’s Volleyball* Wesmen coach Larry McKay added a bit of international flavour to practice last week. Marcel Gromandowski, a member of the Polish National Junior Team, and cousin of Wesmen Women’s Volleyball team member Kristen Brisebois, was in town visiting family when he dropped by the Duckworth Centre. McKay recognized him right away. “He was the best player on the floor when Poland beat us in a big game during the World Championships,” said McKay, who coached Team Canada’s entry in the tournament in Iran during the summer. Poland went on to win the competition. Gromandowski asked McKay if he could practice with the team and McKay was more than willing to oblige. “He’s a big kid that can really hit the ball – and it was good for the guys to go up against that in practice.” Last week the Wesmen also faced their alumni in the yearly contest and walked away with a 2 sets to 1 victory. The 12 alumni players represented some of the best from the past in a program that has captured 9 CIS titles. “They are a piece of our history,” said McKay. “And It is always good to re-connect with those guys.” The Wesmen see their first CIS action against Dalhousie University on Oct. 1st and 2nd in a prelude to the BOB FM Invitational Tournament on the weekend of Oct. 3rd to 5th.