Experience added to TRU women’s volleyball

SPORTS — The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s volleyball team will have a lot more experience when they hit the court for the 2014-15 Canada West season.

Not only will they have a number of returning veterans but they have added another player who brings both leadership and playoff experience to their line up.

The WolfPack and head coach Chad Grimm are welcoming back Kara Twomey of Winnipeg to the roster.

Twomey played two seasons with TRU (2010-12) before taking two years off. Her final year with the WolfPack, she played in 86 sets while accumulating 717 assists, 35 kills, 20 service aces, 106 digs and 45 block assists.

“I am really excited to be returning to the program,” said the 5 ft. 11 in. Twomey. “ I definitely needed to take the time off when I did but now that I have had a break I am eager to get back into it. And I think I am more mentally prepared that I was before.”

Twomey explained the comeback like this: “During my two years off, I really missed being part of a team and having that sense of camaraderie that goes along with it.

“I missed having the common goal and understanding among teammates about why you are there and putting in all that time. And, of course, on top of that I missed the game. I found myself watching the webcast of the team quite often and that kind of showed me that I hadn’t quite moved past that stage (university sport) in my life yet.”

Twomey has changed focus academically, though. Her first two years at Thompson Rivers were spent in the Arts program. She has switched to Science. “ I want to work with animals and/or wildlife so switching to sciences will be the best option for me.”

She actually returned to Kamloops at the start of 2014 and began helping as an assistant coach with the ‘Pack. That experience has given her some good insight on the sport.

“I can now see the game from a different angle than if I was on the court. Being around the team definitely helped me get reacquainted with the girls.”