Category Archives: Articles

UBC Canada West Campionships – Half Price Tickets!

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UBC’s War Memorial Gym will play host to some of the best women’s volleyball in Canada this weekend! All four teams playing this weekend are ranked in the top 5 in Canada and UBC Volleyball wants to give all Thunder Volleyball Club members a special deal – 50% off tickets!

Just mention “THUNDER VOLLEYBALL CLUB” at the box office and receive 50% off single game prices. It’s that easy.

All the action starts Friday February 24th at 6:15pm as the #1 UBC Thunderbirds play the #4 Trinity Western Spartans. At 8pm #3 Winnipeg will play #5 Alberta. The winner of those two games will meet in the Gold Medal match on Saturday February 25th at 8pm.

There will be poster making and face painting in the lobby before the game(s) for everyone. We will also be giving out our exclusive “GO BIRDS GO” playoff towels* to all that attend. *While supplies last.

Do not miss this chance to watch some of Canada’s best volleyball players right here at UBC.

A Weekend of Celebrations for 18U!

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The Vancouver Thunder 18U Women had a lot to celebrate this weekend, not only did their 6’3 middle blocker Nicola Laniuk turn 17, but the girls decided to add to the festivities by defeating the Coquitlam Ducks in a hard fought super series final.

The thunder “storm” squad was dominant through pool play and continued to both learn and grow from a loss in the icebreaker final 3 weekends ago to those same Ducks. The team seemed to find another gear as it moved into the early playoff rounds and applied significant pressure to both the Campbell River Crush and the Nanaimo Volleyball club that neither team was able to respond to.  These early playoff victories set up another rematch in a final against the Ducks.  A very close fought first set match was won by the “storm” as their tough serving and efficient side out play kept the pressure up on the Ducks.  It was a different approach in the second set however.  The Ducks came charging out early, establishing a 6-1 lead before a timeout was called and a significant wake up occurred.  Thunder came storming out of the time out to draw even with the Ducks at 9.  Again however the Thunder team was guilty of a lack of focus and another timeout was called with the Ducks ahead again 13-9.  With their backs against the wall and the coach out of time outs the team put it together to go on two consecutive runs of 5 and 6 points and efficiently worked their way to the two set victory.  Juliana Kaufmanis was pivotal in the Thunder victory with some fearsome kills in the final frame but her performance was a by product of fantastic team defence, blocking and serve receive.

Coaches and fans were impressed by the level of play demonstrated at many times in the final and Head Coach Beathen Thomas was most pleased with the teams commitment to excellence and expressed desire to get better each week.  “Facing an opponent in a final again so quickly presented significant challenges as both teams were aware of one anothers’ strengths and weaknesses.”  “The ducks applied significant pressure with the consistency of their play and their competitive focus, we were pleased to get out of the final with a two set win” (Thomas).  The team now turns to two weeks of training hard and will be back in action in two weeks when assistant coach Jonny Wiskar takes over the reins and tries to follow up this weekends success by testing the team on the road in the Kelowna Super Series.

12&U Thunder Selections

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On the Rosters page are the players selected to continue training and competing for the 12U program. To ensure your position you need to register on Karelo before the Monday session.

We want to thank all players for their participation, regardless of whether they were selected.  It is very important for young players and parents to recognize that selection at this age is not easy.  We want to emphasize that players can change significantly in terms of their growth and development in the coming year(s).   Players also have had a wide range of volleyball experience and so finding ways to play and train more can be very important for future improvement.

As outlined at the last session we hope that all those that enjoy playing, and want to continue, will seek out additional training opportunities. We hope to have a spring Thunder program for Gr.4-6. Also look for information for Thunder and UBC camps as well the Richmond Oval training programs and  beach volleyball training,  among other opportunities.

Program B
A minimum of 2 players will be added to program A in the first two weeks, and other players will train with that group during the Monday sessions. If you are currently listed in program B and are later selected to join program A, you will provide a cheque for $75 to Thunder volleyball for the additional fees.

Additional Players
The following athletes are asked to come to the session on Monday February 13th and we will let them know of their position after that session.  Please email thundervball12@gmail.com to confirm your attendance. These additional players do not have pay for registration before Monday but please attend Monday’s session: Sarah Mowat, Jaclyn Miller, Anna Webster, Aishu Goyal, Sheetal Goyal

13&U Roster Posted

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The 13&U Roster has been posted on Rosters page.

We want to thank all players for their participation, regardless of whether they were selected. It is very important for young players and parents to recognize that selection at this age is not easy. We want to emphasize that players can change significantly in terms of their growth and development in the coming year(s). Players also have had a wide range of volleyball experience and so finding more ways to play and train more can be very important for future improvement.

As outlined at the last session we hope that all those that enjoy playing, and want to continue, will seek out additional training opportunities at summer camps including our UBC camps, the Richmond Oval training programs, beach training, among other opportunities.

You must email U13Gthundervball@gmail.com by Friday to confirm your spot. We need to confirm that selected players are able to attend all training sessions and the listed competitions. If players do not confirm their acceptance by Friday evening alternates will be contacted to fill out the rosters.

We would like to remind you of the competition dates:
Tournament Schedule: Sunday, March 4, Harry Jerome (Burnaby)
Saturday & Sunday, March 31 & April 1 – Zone 4/5 Regionals (Lower Mainland)
Saturday & Sunday, April 21 & 22 – Provincials (Abbotsford)

12U (grade 6) and 13U (grade 7) Thunder Train and Compete Update

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The Jan/Feb session of Thunder Train and Compete finishes Monday, February 6 and we are now entering the second phase of our program.

Visit the 12U and 13U Train and Compete page for updates to both programs.  There is key information on the page regarding accepting spots and choosing programs.

Sincerely,
Claire Lloyd,  President Thunder Volleyball Club
Doug Reimer, Technical Director Thunder Volleyball Club

U18 Great Start to the Season

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The U18 thunder storm started the season promisingly this weekend in the Season Opener at Harry Jerome.  The girls used a balanced attack and tough serving to work their way through pool play in convincing fashion without dropping a set, and sending a message that once again they will be a team to be reckoned with.

In the playoffs they endured and triumphed in a difficult semi final match with the Fraser Valley Volleyball Club before meeting the Coquitlam ducks in the final.  After four straight matches and 6 hours of volleyball the girls lost in a closely fought final.  Coaches and players were extremely pleased with the level of volleyball on display at various times during the day and are excited to continue to work to get better every week.

UBC Thunder Night

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This weekend is Thunder Club Nights at UBC Volleyball.  Come join your fellow athletes, coaches, parents and volunteers at one or both of the UBC volleyball games.

Friday, Jan 20th matches are 6:00pm & 8:00 and Saturday, Jan 21st matches are 5:00 and 7:00pm.

All Thunder Club Athletes , Coaches , Volunteers and Parents receive 50% off. Group does not have to come at the same time, just say THUNDER Club at ticket office to receive your discount.

UBC is playing Manitoba (women and men) in the UBC War Memorial Gym. The women play at the earlier times both days, the men second.

Registration Open for all 2012 Teams

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Please register and pay for your spot by Jan. 15th, 2012. Registration, and payment by credit/debit card, is done on Karelo. Please visit the link, pick your team/age group, and enter in the athlete’s and payment information. If unsure of your team, check the Roster first.

If extenuating circumstances make it difficult to pay by Jan. 15th, 2012 please contact us via the email found on the contact page to explain.