THUNDER BAY – Sports – This Friday, the women’s women volleyball team will host their first match of the season against the York Lions, 7:00PM at the C J Sanders Fieldhouse. It will also be ’80’s Night’ in the Thunderdome, so all fans are encouraged to dress in the style of the time (head/wrist bands, moustaches, neon, tights, etc) – Use you imagination!
This game versus York has all the makings of a strong home opener as Lakehead looks to achieve their first win of the season. After a strong performance in Hamilton (versus McMaster) where they deserved a better fate, the young Thunderwolves will get their first taste of LU’s ‘Thunderdome’ experience.
Coach Chris Green, ever informed about his opponents, is quick to the punch about the York Lions’ strengths. “York is a team that has a few members of the Beach National Training Center. This means they have some players with great vision and experienced training,” Green notes. He will have his defense key on their #1 threat, high-flying Brandie Wilkerson. “She is their unquestioned leader. A left handed phenom who has all the tools to score points at a rapid and consistent rate.”
Green continued, “They are also led by #10 Melissa Humana-Paredes who is an active Beach Volleyball National Team Member. Her skill makes her a strong passer and an amazing defender. York makes the games long with their incredible defence and diverse attack.”
Lakehead will have to prepare well for this team. Coming off two 3-game road trips back to back has been draining for the girls. So far in practice this week Green has noticed the “return to home recovery low” that has to go away, and fast. Coach Green explains: “York is a top team, maybe the best team in OUA in terms of skill, and they have been in the playoffs. They know what it takes and know they want to get back there to succeed.”
Although he has yet to get a win in the regular season, Coach Green knows his team can play with any in the OUA:
“Our game plan is defined, is just has to be executed well. If we follow the same prep as we did for Mac, then we have a very good opportunity to match the defense of York and to execute a smart offensive game plan. I know the ladies will rise to the excitement of actually playing at home in front of their own home crowd.”
Game time is 7:00 pm Eastern
Theme for the game is ’80’s Night’! Webcast will be available on SSN Canada : www.ssncanada.ca/games