Trinity Western setter O'Reilly to represent Canada at worlds

LANGLEY, BC – Trinity Western University women's volleyball setter Lauren O'Reilly is preparing to take on the world. Quite literally.

Earlier this year O'Reilly – who has been the Spartans setter since joining the team in January 2009 after transferring from Michigan State – was named to Canada's senior national team and, come this fall, will represent her country at 2010 FIVB World Championship in Japan from October 29 to November 14.

The 5-foot-11, Langley, BC product will lead a red and white women's team that hasn't been to the World Championship since 2002.

After last year helping Team Canada qualify for this year's World Championship – a competition that is held once every four years – via a first place finish at the NORCECA women's volleyball world championship qualification tournament, O'Reilly will once again be a key cog for Canada and its "top 16" ambitions.

"I think this is an outstanding opportunity for Lauren," said Spartans women's volleyball coach Ryan Hofer of O'Reilly's second tour of duty with the senior national side. "To be able to represent your country at several major competitions, including the World Championship, will be a lasting memory. I believe Canada is making great strides on the world stage and it's exciting to have one of our own as a big component to their success.

"Lauren has worked hard for it. She has put in the time on and off the court and she's a fierce competitor. Her drive to succeed and to bring her best has given her this unique opportunity. There is nothing quite like representing your country and wearing that Canadian flag."

Prior to the world championship, O'Reilly's team will compete at the Pan Am Cup in Baja California, Mexico from June 16 to 27 before playing in an international exhibition series in September and then a pre-world championship Super Series with Cuba in October, the latter of which will be hosted by Winnipeg.

While the world championship experience will undoubtedly be an invaluable one for O'Reilly, her absence from TWU this year does leave a sizable hole in the Spartans line-up. But despite the loss, Hofer believes he has the right pieces to fill the void.

"As a team we are prepared to move forward in this next season," Hofer said. "While it is never ideal to lose one of the top setters in the CIS, it doesn't leave a hole that is impossible to fill. Chelsea Hudson is an outstanding setter who has been working hard and is ready to lead this team and run our offense. I am excited for her to have this opportunity and I'm looking forward to the uniqueness she is going to bring to the floor.

"We are also excited about the impact recent recruit Lauren Moncks is going to make on this team. Standing at 6-foot-2, she will be a physically imposing setter and combining her solid ball control with her physicality is going to be a fun combination to watch."

While sporting the Spartans colours, O'Reilly averaged 9.16 assists per game last year, which was fifth best in Canada West, and helped TWU to a 13-7 league record and led them to the Canada West Final Four.

She is also the third member of the Spartans women's volleyball team to represent Canada on the senior women's team. She follows Lies Reimer (Verhoeff) ('04) and Danya Jansen Van Doorn ('09).

About TWU:

Trinity Western University, located in Langley, B.C., is a not-for-profit Christian liberal arts university enrolling over 4,000 students this year. With a broad based, liberal arts and sciences curriculum, the University offers undergraduate degrees in 41 major areas of study ranging from business, education and computer science to biology and nursing, and 17 other graduate degrees including counselling psychology, theology and administrative leadership. For more information, visit TWU's Official Athletics site at gospartans.ca.

Source:

Trinity Western Sports Info