KAMLOOPS – The Thompson Rivers WolfPack men’s volleyball team and head coach Pat Hennelly have added a player with a winning pedigree to the squad, as they announce the commitment of Gavin Margerison.
“Pleased to welcome another Kelowna Secondary School athlete in Gavin Margerison,” said Hennelly. “Gavin has been improving by leaps and bounds these past two years.”
A product of Kelowna, Margerison becomes the second recruit in this cycle to join the ‘Pack from the city and brings the number of Kelownans on the roster to five.
“I would love to play with some guys that I already know and that I have a personal connection with,” said Margerison. “The training facilities are so impressive and it’s super close to home which makes things easier. This was my number one choice, this is where I wanted to go.”
The 6-4 middle had about as impressive of a season as someone can have last year. Margerison led his Kelowna Secondary School team to the school’s first-ever men’s volleyball provincial title with the team losing just one game all season.
“We had a tough loss at the start of the year against MEI, but we ended up beating them at three other tournaments to get them back,” said Margerison. “We dropped a couple sets here and there, but we just couldn’t be stopped throughout the whole season.”
“Everyone just jumped, threw everything all over the place and it was so electric,” said Margerison on the winning moment at provincials. “I can’t even describe the feeling, it was unreal and those are memories I will have for the rest of my life.”
Margerison was named an All-Star at the provincial championships and has a long-standing relationship with Hennelly.
“I have known Gavin’s dad – Daryl – for a long time,” said Hennelly. “Daryl and his brother Scott were both excellent volleyball players.”
“I love the school, the facilities are amazing,” said Margerison. “This is a team of heart and that’s what I like about it. I’ve known coach Pat since I was a kid, so it’s kind of surreal to join this team.”
A middle that likes to energize the crowd with a big block or kill, Margerison will be fulfilling a lifelong dream when he joins the ‘Pack.
“Joining this team is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid, so it’s just surreal to have it happen,” said Margerison. “This is where I want to be, and this is where I will be for the next four or five years so I’m looking forward to it.”
For Hennelly, the commitment of Margerison will be another addition to the growing talent on the team.
“Gavin is a great athlete with lots of potential and will help solidify our middle blocking core,” said Hennelly.
Gavin Margerison
Position: Middle
Height: 6 ft 4″
Hometown: Kelowna, BC
Last team played for: Kelowna Secondary School