WESMEN NEWS NOVEMBER 5 – NOVEMBER 11, 2007
HOME:
Fri. – Sat. Nov. 9 – 10 Men’s Volleyball vs Alberta 7:00 p.m.
(National Championship Rematch)
AWAY:
Fri. – Sat. Nov.9 – 10 Men’s and Women’s Basketball @ Regina
(Women @ 6:00 p.m. Men @ 8:00 p.m.)
WESMEN GONDOLA PIZZA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Dawna Wright, women’s basketball – Dawna, a first year guard was solid in leading the Wesmen to a regular season opening split against Manitoba. Wright, scored 27 pts (14.0 ppg), 21 rebounds (11.0 rpg) in the two games. On Saturday, Dawna scored a game high 22 points to lead Winnipeg to an 86-59 victory over Manitoba.
Ben Schellenberg, men’s volleyball – Ben, a fifth year opposite played a big part in leading the Wesmen to a sweep against Manitoba. Schellenberg had 30 kills, nine defensive digs and nine blocks in the two matches. Ben was outstanding in Saturday’s match finishing with a match high 21 kills.
GENERAL WESMEN NEWS
The 17th Annual Duckworth Challenge finished in a 2-2 tie this year. Both the basketball games (at U of W) and volleyball matches (at U of M) were split. Due to a tie, the University of Winnipeg retains the Duckworth Challenge Shield for the fourth straight year
Calling all basketball coaches….The Scoretec Basketball Coaches Clinic will be taking place on Friday, November 16th, 2007 at the Duckworth Centre. The clinic begins at 9:00 a.m and will feature eight clinic presentations, a Wesmen Athletics Season Pass and lunch. Please register on-line at www.wesmen.ca. For further information please contact Wesmen Women's Basketball Coach Tanya McKay at 786-9329 or by email at t.mckay@wesmen.ca
Please note that due to the Annual Santa Claus Parade, the men’s and women’s basketball games on Saturday, November 17th will now begin at 2:00 p.m. (women’s game) and 4:00 p.m. (men’s game).
WESMEN IN THE COMMUNITY
This past week six Wesmen athletes helped kick off the Carl Ridd Memorial Basketball League at the Rossbrook House. The league will have 50 kids taking part throughout the season.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Head Coach Dave Crook and his talented team started off the 2007-08 regular season with two victories against the Manitoba Bisons. On Thursday night at the Duckworth Centre in the basketball portion of the Duckworth Challenge, Winnipeg edged Manitoba 73-72. Fifth year forward Matt Opalko drained the game winning three pointer at the buzzer to give the Wesmen the victory. Erfan Nasajpour had a team high 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists and was named the Duckworth Challenge MVP for the Wesmen. The scene shifted to the U of M on Saturday, as Winnjipeg completed the sweep with a 72-60 win. Nick Lother scored a game high 20 points, and finished with six rebounds and five assists to lead the Wesmen to their second consecutive victory. The Wesmen (2-0) will travel to Regina to take on the Cougars (2-0) for a pair of games on Friday and Saturday.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
The women’s team opened up their Canada West regular season with a split against their cross town rivals, the Manitoba Bisons. In Thursday’s game, the team struggled in a 68-49 loss to Manitoba. Caitlin Gooch led Winnipeg with 12 points, followed by Randie Gibson with 10 points. Gibson for her efforts was named the Duckworth Challenge MVP for the Wesmen. The Wesmen rebounded on Saturday night in a big way defeating the Bisons 86-59 at the U of M. First year guard Dawna Wright scored a game high 22 points, followed by Amy Ogidan’s 16 points. The Wesmen (1-1) will travel to Regina to meet the Cougars (1-1) on Friday and Saturday.
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Head Coach Larry McKay and his defending national champions fought their way to a pair of victories over the Manitoba Bisons. On Friday night at the U of M, Winnipeg swept the Bisons 3-0 (25-21, 26-24, 25-23) in the volleyball portion of the Duckworth Challenge. Justin Duff led Winnipeg with 15 kills. Fifth year outside Ben Schellenberg finished with nine kills and four blocks. Schellenberg was named the Duckworth Challenge MVP for Winnipeg. On Saturday night Winnipeg had to fight to a dramatic 3-2 (25-23, 25-19, 21-25, 23-25, 15-12) at the Duckworth Centre. Schellenberg was dominant finishing with a match high 21 kills, including four in the pivotal fifth and final set. The Wesmen (3-1) will host the Alberta Golden Bears (4-0) in a rematch of last season’s National Championship Gold Medal match. The matches on Friday and Saturday begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Duckworth Centre.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Head Coach Diane Scott and her team were in tough against the number one ranked Manitoba Bisons. On Friday night at the U of M, the Wesmen put up a good fight in a 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-22) loss to the Bisons. Fifth year left side Nicola Dirks led Winnipeg with a match high 12 kills. Brooklyn Brunel, who was chosen as the Duckworth Challenge MVP led the team in defensive digs with nine. On Saturday at the Duckworth Centre, Manitoba showed their dominance in a 3-0 (25-9, 25-12, 25-16) win over the Wesmen. Marlee Bragg, who is back in the lineup after recovering from a serious knee injury, led the Wesmen with seven kills. Shanti Plett had eight defensive digs to lead the team in that category. The Wesmen (0-4) will have the bye this weekend and will next see action against the Calgary Dinos on November 16 & 17 in Calgary.