WESMEN NEWS JANUARY 14 – JANUARY 20, 2008
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Fri. Jan. 18 Men’s and Women’s Volleyball vs Saskatchewan
(Women @ 6:00 p.m. Men @ 7:30 p.m.)
Sat. Jan. 19 Men’s and Women’s Volleyball vs Saskatchewan
(Men @ 5:30 p.m. Women @ 7:00 p.m.)
AWAY:
Fri. Jan. 18 Men’s and Women’s Basketball @ Fraser Valley
(Women @ 8:00 p.m. Men @ 10:00 p.m. ) *Wpg Times*
Sat. Jan. 19 Men’s and Women’s Basketball @ Thompson Rivers
(Women @ 7:00 p.m. Men @ 9:00 p.m.) * Wpg Times*
WESMEN GONDOLA PIZZA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Catie Gooch, women’s basketball – Catie, a second year guard was instrumental in leading the Wesmen to a weekend split against Alberta and Saskatchewan. Gooch, scored 33 points (16.5 ppg), dished out seven assists (3.5 apg), grabbed nine rebounds (4.5 rpg), and was stellar on defense with four steals. Catie was also a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line. In Saturday’s win against Saskatchewan, she scored a game high 22 points to lead the Wesmen.
Matt Opalko, men’s basketball – Matt, in his fifth and final year with the Wesmen had a solid weekend in helping the Wesmen to a two game split against Alberta and Saskatchewan. Opalko, scored 38 points (19.0 ppg), grabbed 11 rebounds (5.5 rpg), and was sensational from three point range draining 6-of-10 from outside the arc. In Friday’s game against Alberta, Opalko scored a game high 27 points, including five-of-seven from three point range.
GENERAL WESMEN NEWS
After several months of construction, the new fitness centre at the Duckworth Centre has finally opened its doors to students, staff, faculty and the public. The new facility is approx. 6000 square. feet and features brand new state of the art workout equipment. The fitness centre is managed by Tricia Klassen. For membership and/or fitness centre information please visit www.wesmen.ca or call 786-9349.
On Sunday, January 27th the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters will hold their annual awards ceremony and dinner. This year the Winnipeg Wesmen will have a part in the festivities. The 2006-07 Men’s Volleyball Team that won it’s 10th CIS Championship last March is a finalists in the Team of the Year category. Also nominated for an award is Men’s Basketball player Erfan Nasajpour, who is a finalist in the Male Athlete of the Year category. Tickets are available by contacting Ken Kobelka. Phone 253-2341 or e-mail kkobelka@yahoo.ca
WESMEN IN THE COMMUNITY
Members of the Wesmen basketball family were present at the Rossbrook House this past Saturday for the kick-off to the second half of the Carl Ridd Memorial Basketball League. Included in the group were former All-Canadians JoAnne Wells, Heather Thompson and Uzo Asagwara.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Head Coach Dave Crook and his team played well this past weekend in gaining a weekend split against Alberta and Saskatchewan. On Friday, the Wesmen fell short in a 95-91 loss to the ninth ranked Alberta Golden Bears. Matt Opalko had his best game of the season leading Winnipeg with a game high 27 points, including five-of-seven three pointers. Erfan Nasajpour finished with a double-double 26 points and 11 assists. Dan Shynkaryk also had a double-double finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds. On Saturday night Winnipeg rebounded and defeated the Saskatchewan Huskies 75-64. Fifth year guard Erfan Nasajpour led the way for Winnipeg scoring a game high 22 points, including three-three pointers, hauled in 10 rebounds and added four assists. Nick Lother had a solid game for the Wesmen finishing with 17 points. Matt Opalko also scored in double digits, adding 11 points. First year post Ben Kingdon hauled in 10 rebounds. The split leaves Winnipeg with a 7-7 record, tied with Regina for second place in the Great Plains Division. The team will be on the road this weekend with a game against Fraser Valley (6-10) on Friday night, followed by a visit to Thompson Rivers (2-14) on Saturday.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
The Women’s Team was involved in two tough games and came away with a weekend split. On Friday night the fifth ranked Alberta Pandas defeated the Wesmen 64-51 in a defensive battle. Winnipeg had three players in double digits all scoring eleven points. Alex MacIver led the group finishing with 10 rebounds to go with her 11 points. Catie Gooch and Amy Ogidan were the other Wesmen players with eleven points. On Saturday, it took overtime but the Wesmen defeated the Saskatchewan Huskies 79-70. Second year guard Catie Gooch led Winnipeg with a game high 22 points. Gooch also added six assists, six rebounds and three steals. Amy Ogidan had a strong game scoring 16 points and hauling in nine rebounds. Dawna Wright also scored in double digits finishing with 10 points and two blocks. Winnipeg presently sits with a record of 6-8 and in second place in the Great Plains Division. The team will hit the road to play Fraser Valley (8-8) on Friday and Thompson Rivers (1-15) on Saturday.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Head Coach Diane Scott and her team were in tough this week facing the defending national champions, the Alberta Pandas in a weekend series. In Friday’s opening match the Pandas swept the Wesmen 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-15). Winnipeg was led by first year middle Lauren Sears who finished with a team high 11 kills and two blocks. Fifth year left side Nicola Dirks had 10 kills and 11 defensive digs. Karen Montgomery led Winnipeg with a match high 12 defensive digs. In Saturday’s finale Winnipeg gave Alberta all they could handle making the Pandas earn a 3-1 (25-20, 22-25, 25-19, 25-16) victory. The Wesmen were led by Marlee Bragg with 14 kills. Nicola Dirks ended the match with 12 kills and 18 defensive digs. Middle Dayna Kiesman had a strong match with 12 kills and one block. Winnipeg presently sits with a record of 2-12 and will host the Saskatchewan Huskies (3-9) for two matches on Friday and Saturday night at the Duckworth Centre.
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
The Men’s team worked hard in the bye week preparing to face the Saskatchewan Huskies (1-11) this Friday and Saturday night at the Duckworth Centre. The Wesmen currently sport a record of 8-2 and in third place in the tough Canada West Conference standings. Head Coach Larry McKay had no time off as he was in Caguas, Puerto Rico serving as an Assistant Coach with Team Canada at the Norceca zone qualifying Tournament.