Kamloops product Lofgren joins WolfPack

SPORTS — It’s been almost five years since a Kamloops product has worn the uniform of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s volleyball team. But that will change in September when the ‘Pack hit the court for the 2014-15 Canada West season.

Head Coach Pat Hennelly and the WolfPack have secured the services of left side Matt Lofgren. Lofgren is a graduate of Sa-Hali Secondary school.

Lofgren will provide experience for the WolfPack after spending three seasons playing in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Trojans and the Lethbridge College Kodiacs.

He is looking forward to playing and going to school in his home town.

“Being born and raised in Kamloops played a large role in me wanting to continue my education and volleyball career with the WolfPack,” Lofgren said.

“I have grown up idolizing the players that have come through the program and now I have the opportunity to be a part of it. I felt this was something I couldn’t pass up. “

Lofgren will be taking courses in Interdisciplinary Studies with an eye of transferring into the Bachelor of Education program at TRU.

The 6 ft. 2 in. Lofgren said Hennelly has had a profound influence on his volleyball development.

“Pat coached me on and off from grade 7 to 12. Whether it be in club volleyball in Kamloops, volleyball clinics and with three years of Team BC. He has been a huge influence on my career and plays a large role in me being the player that I am today. It is a perfect fit for my education and I have a strong relationship with a number of players already.”

Three veteran members of the ‘Pack: Brad Gunter (Courtenay), Nick Balazs (Prince George) and Graham Stoliker (Surrey) were teammates of Lofgren with Team BC. They captured a bronze medal at the 2011 Western Canada Summer Games which were held in Kamloops.

Said Coach Hennelly: “It is nice to have a Kamloops native on the roster. I have coached Matt in the past and I am excited to have the opportunity to coach him again. He will be a good fit. “

Lofgren becomes the 8th recruit the WolfPack have signed for the coming season. He joins: Cole Hanson (17, 6’3”, outside/middle, West Kelowna/Mount Boucherie Secondary-Team), Isaac Smit (17, 5’11”, libero, Merritt, BC/Okanagan Mission Secondary-Team),Denham O’ Reilly (18, 6’0”, setter, Langley/Langley Fundamentalist-Team B.C.), Tim Edge (18, 6’4”, outside hitter, Surrey/Pacific Academy),Douglas Groenendijk (17, 6’4”, outside hitter, Chemainus/Duncan Christian School-Team B.C.), Cole Keddie (17, 6’3”, left side, Edmonton, AB/Harry Ainlay), and Charles Oduro (17, 6’3”, outside hitter, Vernon, B.C./W.L. Seaton Secondary-Team B.C.).