National Champs Add Four Top Recruits

Men’s Volleyball (recruit signings)
Friday, June 9, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Champs Add Four Top Recruits

LANGLEY, British Columbia – The 2005-06 CIS National Champion Spartans and Head Coach Ron Pike are pleased to announce four top level recruits to this years recruiting class. Sporting the Trinity Western University colours this fall will be  6’5” third year setter Chaim Schalk (Red Deer College, Red Deer, Alta.), Norwegian 6’5” outside hitter Daniev Stenvig (Norway U20 National Team), 6’6” middle blocker Clayton Peters (Columbia Bible College, Mennonite Educational Institute, Abbotsford, BC) and 6’6” middle blocker Josh Doornenbal (Edmonton Christian High School, Edmonton, Alta.).

Chaim Schalk comes to TWU after two solid seasons as a member of Red Deer College. As a member of the Kings Schalk won two Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) national championships in 2005 and again in 2006. Schalk was named a CCAA tournament All-Star in 2006 as well as being named an Alberta Colleges Athletic Association (ACAC) second team all star. Chaim follows in the footsteps of his two bothers Seth and Jaben who both have played for the Spartans.

“Chaim possesses huge potential at the CIS level.  He has a great release and has an impressive understanding of how to run an effective offense,” said Ron Pike. “At 6’5 he is a great blocker on the right side which fits in well with our style of aggressive blocking.  With this addition we believe that we have two of the top setters in the country in Josh Howatson and Chaim Schalk and he will help maintain TWU’s spot as a premiere team.”

Daniev Stenvig comes to TWU with an impressive international resume. He is a member of Norway’s U20 National team and has been very successful at every level that he has played at in the Norwegian volleyball system. His beach team won the U23 and U20 Norway National Beach Championship in 2005. He was a member of the Bronze Medalist U20 team in 2003 and 2004 and his U18 team won the Norway National Championship in 2003 and 2004. He also has solid lineage. His father was a member of Denmark’s National team and played at Pepperdine (1977), while his mother was one of Norway’s top players throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s.

 “Daniev brings a lot of top end experience to TWU.  He has won at every level in Norway both on the beach and indoor,” said Ron Pike. “Daniev possess a live arm and a good jump which will make him an immediate offensive threat in the CIS.  His passion for volleyball and his desire to improve will serve him and TWU well for many years to come.”

After a two year hiatus Clayton Peters looks to finish out his playing career as a member of the Spartans. Prior to his time off Clayton had an award winning two years at Columbia Bible College. The MEI grad was named CCAA All-Canadian in 2004 when his team took home the CCAA Bronze and BCCAA silver medals. Also in 2004 his club team won the U20 National Championship.

“Clayton comes to TWU to help replace the hole left by graduating All Canadian Chris Meehan.  Though it’s a tough hole to fill Clayton possess the skill it takes to be a great middle blocker at the CIS level,” said Ron Pike. “He is a big strong kid who blocks on the wing extremely well.  Clayton jumps well and has a heavy arm which will bode well in our offense”

Finishing of the quality group is Edmonton Christian High School middle blocker Josh Doornenbal. While in Edmonton Josh played for the FOG Lionis Volleyball Club and was a member of team Alberta in 2006. “Josh comes to TWU as an extremely athletic middle blocker.  He has exceptional quickness and shows great on court leadership,” said Pike. “The thing most exciting about Josh is his motor in that he is always playing as hard as he can.  He loves to make plays and looks for any opportunity to help his team be it blocking or attacking.  Josh is going to have a great career at TWU”

The Spartans are the defending CIS National Champions. Prior to winning CIS gold in 2006 the Spartans earned silver in 2005 and won bronze in 2004. TWU graduates three players from its championship team, middle blockers Chris Meehan and Justin Pankratz and libero Jeff Lindemulder.

-TW-

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