Getting a sport scholarship for university is one confirmation that your hard work in high school has paid off.
Volleyball player Kaitlin Lomas is getting all of her tuition paid for to be a part of the Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Wolfpack in Kamloops, B.C. She still has to pay for books and room and board but looks forward to the help. “It helps a lot, any money that you get as a student is helpful.”
Lomas has been approached by more than just the Wolfpack; universities in the Edmonton, Calgary, Sask. and the United States have scouted Lomas but she liked the smaller campus of TRU. Kamloops is also similar in size to Red Deer.
“It’s a really nice campus,” she said.
One of the factors in head coach Keith Lundgren’s, decision was to bring players who he could train.
“He wants people that are raw and he can work with,” she explained.
“Kaitlyn just works so hard,” said Lundgren in a Wolfpack press release. “It is so nice to see. She has the physical things that we like to see. She jumps really well, fast arm on the ball. She is a competitor. She is a high level recruit for me and we are very excited that she chose us.”
Lundgren has been recruiting Lomas for the last two years when he first saw her in action at a tournament in Calgary. He was impressed with how high she jumped and proceeded to meet Lomas and her family.
“She will add to our offense,” Lundgren explained. “She puts up the big block. We love to block and that will be a huge asset.”
Lomas is going to be playing Canadian University Sport; the Wolfpack will compete against teams from universities such as the University of Albert and the University of Calgary.
Her goal is to perform at her best and training for the 2013-14 season begins August 22. A full time strength coach will set out a summer training regimen for her so that when volleyball season starts Lomas will be ready for playing. “They want your muscles and joints to be strong enough.”
She also credits high school volleyball coach Darren Josephison for his dedication. “He helps you with your basic skills and gives players a strong foundation.”
With those fundamental volleyball skills from Josephison, Lomas then felt more confident to help lead players and assist younger ones.
“She went from being an uncoordinated skinny kid, who almost quit volleyball in grade eight, to one of the best high school middle hitters and blockers in the entire province,” said Josephison in a release.