2006-05-09-pr-mv-National-team

Men’s Volleyball (Canadian National Team)
May 9, 2006

Meehan and Howatson Named to Team Canada
TWU Middle Chris Meehan and Setter Josh Howatson will wear red and white this summer

WINNIPEG, Manitoba– The Trinity Western University men’s volleyball team had two players named to this year Canadian Senior men’s national team. Graduating middle Chris Meehan and fifth year setter Josh Howatson were named to the 19 member squad. The selection was made after an intensive four-day selection camp held in Winnipeg the first weekend of May.

Athletes selected to Team Canada’s Senior Men’s team are:

Setters: Scott Koskie (Winnipeg, MB), Mike Munday (Winnipeg, MB), Josh Howatson (Victoria, BC)

Right Side: Paul Duerden (London, ON), Dallas Soonias (Red Deer, AB), Kris Brand (Quesnel, BC)

Left Side: Fred Winters (Vancouver, BC), Pascal Cardinal (Pincourt, QC), Christian Bernier (Montreal, QC), Dan Lewis (Oakville, ON), Nicholas Cundy (Edmonton, AB), Alexandre Gaumont-Casias (Marieville, QC), Louis-Pierre Mainville (Notre-Dame-de-L’isle-Perrot, QC), Jean-Francois Grondin (Sherbrooke, QC)

Middle Blockers: Murray Grapentine (Westaskiwin, AB), Steve Brinkman (Bowmanville, ON), Brett Youngberg (White Rock, BC), Chris Meehan (Clearwater, BC)

Libero: Chris Wolfenden (Peterborough, ON)

Veteran player Terry Martin is also expected to join the team later this year.

"This was my first experience as Head Coach of our national team," stated Glenn Hoag. "The camp went very well, mainly because this group of athletes was very focused and came prepared to compete and learn. These players will play a valuable role in Canadian volleyball in both the upcoming season, as well as the full-time training centre. It will be a long, tough year and our players will be tested in all aspects of the game."

The team will now train for a week before taking on 2008 Summer Olympic Games host, China, for matches on May 16th and 18th at the University of Manitoba’s Investors Group Athletic Centre. The annual Schools Game will also be held on May 15th and televised live on Shaw Cable.

From there they will continue training to prepare for the inaugural Pan American Cup to be held in Mexicali and Tijuana, Mexico this June 3rd - 12th, the Hubert Wagner Memorial Tournament in Olsztyn, Poland, and a tour of Spain in June and July. The balance of the season will see Canada host Australia in late August, a major competition in September and October, and culminates with the World Championships in Japan in November.

-TW-

Last Updated: 2007-10-21
Author: Scott Stewart
Email: ssstew@twu.ca