Invermere Basketball product Kailey Colonna began her fifth and final year of Canadian Inter-University Basketball play this month. Colonna ended her last season with some very impressive statistics, which found her 13th in the nation for rebounding overall, eighth in the nation for offensive rebounds and second in the nation in block shots.

The season ended with the Wolfpack missing the playoffs by a single game after a pair of losses on the final weekend to the University of Victoria.

Colonna returns this season as a senior and as co-captain of the Wolfpack.

“Colonna has continued to develop as a player,” said Wolfpack assistant coach Chuck Ferguson.

“Her ability to contribute on the court continues to develop and improve with every passing season… she is now considered one of the premier defenders in the Canadian West.”

The 2011-12 season opened October 8 with a game against the Mount Royal Cougars. Colonna played well throughout, contributing 14 points, seven rebounds and one block on the way to a 72 – 53 win.

“Kailey picked up right were she left off last season,” said Ferguson. “She had an excellent game on both ends of the floor.”

The team then hosted the BDO Dunwoody Tournament in Kamloops, featuring the University of New Brunswick, McGill University and the University of Alberta.

On the opening evening the Wolfpack played the University of New Brunswick and registered a 73-64 win with Colonna having five points, seven rebounds and four block shoots.

“Colonna was big on the defensive end of the floor tonight,” said Ferguson.

“This is another in a long line of games that have seen Kailey block four or more shots. Her presence in the paint forces other teams to change the way they attack the basket”.

On the second night the Pack played host to McGill University from Montreal. Kailey had three rebounds and two blocks in a 71 – 65 win.

On the third night the Pack dropped a 60 – 69 loss to the University of Alberta that saw Colonna pick up two very quick fouls in the first quarter.

Eight points, three rebounds and two blocks later, Colonna fouled out.

Next, the Wolfpack travel to Halifax and Cape Breton, where they will play Cape Breton, the Chinese National Women’s Team and the Mcmaster University Mauraders. These  three games will conclude the pre-season.

The Wolfpack will return to Kamloops for the season opener against the University of the Fraser Valley on November 13.