Iuliia Pakhomenko (WVB | Student-athlete)

NAME: Iuliia Pakhomenko

UNIVERSITY: Thompson Rivers

CATEGORY: Student-athlete

SPORT: Women's Volleyball

CW Hall of Fame Class of 2025-26

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Competed for the Thompson Rivers WolfPack women’s volleyball program from 2014–17, transforming the team into a regular Canada West playoff contender

• U SPORTS Player of the Year and Canada West Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year in 2015–16

• Three-time U SPORTS All-Canadian and three-time Canada West First Team All-Star

• Holds multiple Canada West records, including first all-time in career kills per set (4.60)

BIOGRAPHY:

One of the most impactful student-athletes to ever don a Thompson Rivers WolfPack uniform, Iuliia Pakhomenko left an indelible mark on the program during her three seasons with the women’s volleyball team. Arriving at TRU as an immediate difference-maker, Pakhomenko played a central role in reshaping the competitive identity of the WolfPack and elevating the program to regular postseason contention.

Pakhomenko’s impact was felt instantly in her rookie campaign. Joining a team coming off two winless 0–22 seasons, she powered the WolfPack to a dramatic turnaround in 2014–15, helping TRU post 10 wins. She ranked second in Canada West with 405 kills and an average of 4.60 kills per set, earning Canada West First Team All-Star honour and U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian recognition.

She raised her game even further in 2015–16, delivering one of the most dominant individual seasons in conference history. Pakhomenko led Canada West with 425 kills and 4.67 kills per set - finishing 63 kills clear of the next closest athlete - while guiding the WolfPack to a 12–12 record, sixth place in the conference standings, and just the second Canada West playoff appearance in program history. That season, she was named U SPORTS Player of the Year, Canada West Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year, and Canada West Female Athlete of the Year, becoming the only WolfPack athlete to ever earn the latter honour across all conference sports.

In her final season in 2016–17, Pakhomenko continued to set the standard, once again leading the conference in kills with 381 (4.65 per set) as the WolfPack returned to the postseason with a 13–11 record. She closed her collegiate career as a three-time U SPORTS All-Canadian and and a three-time Canada West First Team All-Star.

Pakhomenko’s name remains etched throughout the Canada West record books. She ranks first in conference career history with 4.60 kills per set, second in single-season kills (425) and points (496.5), and third in career aces per set (.502). She also owns seven of the top ten highest kill performances in Canada West history.