WESMEN NEWS  FEBRUARY 11 – FEBRUARY 17, 2008

HOME:  Canada West Divisional Playoffs (best of three)

Women’s Basketball  
Thu. Feb.14  WESMEN vs Manitoba  7:00 p.m. http://www.uwinnipeg.tv
Sat. Feb. 16  WESMEN vs Manitoba  2:00 p.m. http://www.uwinnipeg.tv
Sun.Feb. 17  WESMEN vs Manitoba  2:00 p.m. *If Necessary* http://www.uwinnipeg.tv

Men’s Volleyball
Fri. Feb.15   WESMEN vs Trinity Western  7:00 p.m. http://www.uwinnipeg.tv
Sat.Feb16    WESMEN vs Trinity Western  7:00 p.m. http://www.uwinnipeg.tv
Sun.Feb17   WESMEN vs Trinity Western  4:00 p.m.*If Necessary* http://www.uwinnipeg.tv

AWAY: Canada West Divisional Playoffs (best of three)

Men’s Basketball
Sat. Feb. 16  WESMEN @ Regina  7:00 p.m.
Sun. Feb.17  WESMEN @ Regina  7:00 p.m.
Mon. Feb.18  WESMEN @ Regina  2:00 p.m.  ** If Necessary**

WESMEN GONDOLA PIZZA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Nicola Dirks, women’s volleyball – Nicola, a fifth year left side finished her university playing career in style. Dirks finished the two matches against Brandon with 55 kills, 37 defensive digs, and four blocks. Nicola finished the regular season leading the Canada West Conference in kills (291) and kills per game (3.99).

Matt Opalko, men’s basketball – Matt, in his fifth and final season had his best two games of the season against Brandon. Opalko, scored 39 points, hauled in 13 rebounds, and dished out seven assists. In his final game at the Duckworth Centre on Saturday, Opalko had a double-double 23 points and 10 rebounds.

GENERAL WESMEN NEWS

With the end of the regular season this past week, the Wesmen honored the athletes that competed in their fifth and final years of their university careers. A special thank you to Nicola Dirks (Women's Volleyball), Dustin Addison-Schneider and Ben Schellenberg (Men's Volleyball), and Erfan Nasajpour, Matt Opalko, Dan Shynkaryk, and long time team manager Fanli Jia (Men's Basketball) for their dedication to the University of Winnipeg Wesmen.

Congratulations to Lori Chartrand, who was the winner of the Las Vegas Getaway trip, sponsored by Out ‘n About Travel inc. The draw was held this past Saturday night at the Wesmen – Brandon Basketball game.

The grand opening of the “new” Duckworth Centre Fitness Facility and the SOMA café will take place on Tuesday, February 12 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Tours and refreshments will be available.

WESMEN IN THE COMMUNITY

The Wesmen welcomed several groups to this past week’s action at the Duckworth Centre. Joining the Wesmen were members from Fish Winnipeg, Scouts Canada and the Jr. Wesmen program. Thanks to all those groups who attended.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Head Coach Dave Crook and his team suffered two losses to the #2 ranked Brandon Bobcats. On Thursday night in Brandon, the Bobcats defeated the Wesmen 91-70. Matt Opalko led Winnipeg with 16 points. The teams met at the Duckworth Centre on Saturday, but the results were the same as the Bobcats beat Winnipeg 82-74. Opalko once again led Winnipeg in scoring with 23 points and hauled in 10 rebounds. The Wesmen finish the regular season with a 9-13 record and third place in the Great Plains Division. The team will head to Regina to take on the Cougars in the best of three Great Plains Division semi-final beginning on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. Game two will take place on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. and if necessary game three will take place on Monday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The women’s team completed their regular season with a home and home series against the Brandon Bobcats. On Thursday night in Brandon the Wesmen were defeated 81-76 by the home town Bobcats. Catie Gooch led Winnipeg with 17 points, followed by Dawna Wright’s 13 points and nine rebounds. Saturday night at the Duckworth Centre the visitors from Brandon defeated the Wesmen 70-60. Dawna Wright led Winnipeg with 17 points and nine rebounds. Head Coach Tanya McKay and her team finish the regular season in second place in the Great Plains Division with a record of 8-14. Winnipeg will host the best of three division semi-final against the Manitoba Bisons. Game one will be played on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Duckworth Centre. Game two will take place on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and if necessary game three will take place on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Head Coach Larry McKay and his team ended the regular season with two losses in a home and home series against the Brandon Bobcats. On Thursday at the Duckworth Centre, Brandon defeated Winnipeg 3-2 (25-18, m22-25, 23-25, 29-27, 15-12) in a tough match that took over two hours to play. Ben Schellenberg led Winnipeg with 18 kills, followed by Alan Ahow’s 14 kills and 14 digs. Saturday’s match in Brandon was rescheduled to Sunday afternoon due to the poor weather and highway closure. The Bobcats completed the sweep defeating the Wesmen 3-1 (25-23, 25-20, 13-25, 25-20). Ben Schellenberg led the team with 13 kills. The Wesmen finish the regular season with a 14-4 record and will host Trinity Western University in the best of three Canada West Divisional Semi-Finals starting with game one on Friday evening at the Duckworth Centre at 7:00 p.m. Game two will take place on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and if necessary game three will be played on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

The Women’s Team completed their 2007-08 season with a home and home series against the Brandon Bobcats. On Thursday night in Winnipeg the Bobcats defeated Winnipeg 3-2 (18-25, 25-23, 25-18, 19-25, 15-13). Nicola Dirks led Winnipeg with a match high 27 kills. Karen Montgomery finished with a match high24 defensive digs. In Sunday’s regular season finale, the Wesmen were defeated in five sets for the second consecutive match 3-2 (22-25, 25-23, 25-23, 17-25, 15-6) by the Bobcats. Nicola Dirks led Winnipeg with a match high 28 kills followed by Dayna Kiesman who finished with nine kills and four blocks. The team finishes the season with a record of 4-16 and will not qualify for the playoffs. Nicola Dirks did finish the season as the Canada West leader in kills (291) and kills per game (3.99).