PRESEASON PREVIEW (Women’s Volleyball)
NEW WESTMINSTER, BC – Parity is expected to be the theme of the upcoming 2014-15 Canada West women's volleyball season with a handful of teams with a legitimate chance to win the conference crown.
The UBC Thunderbirds will have to defend their title against preseason coaches' poll favourite Alberta Pandas, as well as the Brandon Bobcats and Trinity Western Spartans, among others.
The season opens on Thursday, October 9 when Calgary visits Manitoba live on CanadaWest.TV. Most of the conference take the courts on Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11.
Here's what fans can expect in anticipation of this weekend's opener.
PREVIEWS:
University of Alberta Pandas
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 1st
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: Lost in quarterfinals
2013-14 CW Record: 13-9
Last CIS Title: 2007
Last CW Title: 2012
Key returnees: Kacey Otto, Jessie Niles, Karly Janssen, Dione Lang, Meg Cassault, Jess Stroud, Mariah Walsh
Key additions: Josephine Doerfler, Shauntelle Hogg, Erica Walsh, Jessica Hoskins
Key departures: Amy Kowalchuk
EDMONTON – After a one-year reloading process, the University of Alberta Pandas volleyball program looks poised to contend for the Canada West championship in 2014-15.
Last season a young Pandas team finished 13-9 in Canada West play, but was swept in the opening round of the playoffs, at home, by the eventual CIS champion Manitoba Bisons. Alberta finished just one regular season win beneath Manitoba in the final standings last year. Outside hitter Meg Casault and starting setting Mariah Walsh were both named Canada West all-stars last season, while Casault also earned CIS second team all-Canadian status.
With the bulk of the starting line-up returning this season, including Walsh, Casault, middles Dione Lang and Jess Stroud, outside hitters Kacey Otto and Karly Janssen and libero Jessie Niles, Alberta seems ready to take the next step. True to form, the Pandas have racked up an impressive 11-2 preseason record so far in the 2014-15 season, including wins over the CIS gold and silver medalists, Manitoba and UBC.
Alberta will get some on-court help this year from a few recruits, including first-year 6'4" outside hitter Josephine Doerfler, who hails from Potsdam, Germany where she played for SC Potsdam. Erica Walsh, little sister to Mariah Walsh, has also come aboard, as have middles Shauntelle Hogg, who previously was with the University of Calgary Dinos, and Jessica Hoskins.
The Pandas open the regular season at home against the UBCO Heat over the October 10-11 weekend at the Saville Community Sports Centre in Edmonton.
Brandon University Bobcats
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 3rd
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: Lost in quarterfinals
2013-14 CW Record: 17-5
Last CIS Title: N/A
Last CW Title: N/A
Key returnees: Donata Huebert, Meaghan Robertson, Victoria Dakin, Shanlee McLennan, Mary Thomson, Vaovai Aiono, Jodie Baker
Key additions: Courtney Roberts, Jamie Campbell, Sara Barker, Nikki Majewski, Kayla Solomon, Hope Schneider
Key departures: Kellie Baker, Alexis Loewen, Brianna Walsh
BRANDON – The Brandon Bobcats are coming off the best season in program history last year, putting up the team's best record and spending most of the season ranked #2 behind UBC.
On top of putting up a 17-5 record and hosting a playoff series for the first time in four years, head coach Lee Carter was named CIS and Canada West coach of the year (just the third Bobcat coach in BU history to win the national award), and star libero Donata Huebert was named CIS and Canada West libero of the year.
The end of the 2013-14 season wasn't what the 'Cats had hoped for, but that provides motivation entering into 2014-15.
The Bobcats return Huebert, who on top of the individual awards was also named a CIS All-Canadian, starting middle Meaghan Robertson, as well as starting outside hitters Victoria Dakin, Shanlee McLennan and Vaovai Aiono.
The only returning player that didn't start last season is setter Mary Thomson, who has plenty of experience after representing Manitoba at the Canada Summer Games.
Third-year middle Jodie Baker has had an outstanding pre-season, providing depth at middle and filling the void left by Alexis Loewen, who finished her eligibility last season and finished second in the conference in total blocks.
On top of a solid returning line-up, Carter and the 'Cats boast one of the strongest recruiting classes in program history. Manitoba High School player of the year Nikki Majewski of Winnipeg's Westwood Collegiate headlines the class of high school players joining the Bobcats, which also includes Sara Barker (Dakota College), Jamie Campbell (Neelin High School), and Kayla Solomon (Collège Jeanne-Sauvé). College transfers Courtney Roberts (South Dakota State University) and Hope Schneider (University of Winnipeg) have both come back to Brandon to play for their hometown Bobcats.
The Bobcats will open their 2014-15 Canada West season on the road against the Mount Royal Cougars on October 10.
UBC Thunderbirds
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 2nd
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: 2nd
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: 1st
2013-14 CW Record: 18-4
Last CIS Title: 2013
Last CW Title: 2014
Key returnees: Lisa Barclay, Rosie Schlagintweit, Abbey Keeping
Key additions: Ciara Hanly, Samantha Patko, Victoria Behie, Kelsey Clarke
Key departures: Briana Liau Kent, Kirsty Setterlund, Mariah Bruinsma, Kristine Johnson
VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds had their streak of six straight CIS national titles snapped last season as they lost in the championship final, falling short of setting a new record for most consecutive national banners.
Four players, Briana Liau Kent, Kirsty Setterlund, Mariah Bruinsma and Kristine Johnson, have moved on from the squad but a solid core of veterans returns to lead UBC in 2014-15, including left side Lisa Barclay, right side Rosie Schlagintweit and middle Abbey Keeping.
Barclay is the reigning Canada West Female Athlete of the Year across all sports and the league's nominee for the BLG Awards. She was also last year's Canada West and CIS MVP and led the league in points and kills per set.
She and Schlagintweit combined for more than six kills per set for UBC during the 2013-14.
Alissa Coulter, Danielle Brisebois and Laura MacTaggart, who was injured last season, are the team's other outside hitters.
Juliana Kaufmanis will move to the middle to play alongside Keeping. Other middle players include improving second-year T-Birds Emily Cicon and Nicola Laniuk and rookie Ciara Hanly.
With Setterlund's graduation, Alessandra Gentile takes over as the team's starting setter; she'll be supported by transfer Kelsey Clarke.
Katie Crawford will start at libero, while Cara Rosehill and new recruit Samantha Patko round out the players at the position.
UBC Okanagan Heat
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 6th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: 4th
2013-14 CW Record: 12-10
Last CIS Title: N/A
Last CW Title: N/A
Key returnees: Emily Oxland, Chandler Proch, Katy Klomps, Katie Wuttunee, Brianna Beamish, Kaitlynn Given, Megan Festival, Michelle Jakszuk
Key additions: Kailin Jones, Sophia Furlan, Myrte Schön, Siobhan Fitzpatrick
Key departures: Lenai Schmidt, Jill Festival, Kendra Wayling
KELOWNA – No longer able to sneak up on opponents as the new guy, UBC Okanagan women's volleyball team has veteran Canada West performers and are looking to build upon last season's Canada West Final Four appearance with 14 familiar faces in 2014-15.
Losing only three players to graduation, the Heat didn't have many holes to fill and didn't even have to leave their practice court to find them.
Departing starting libero Lenai Schmidt will be replaced by fourth year Kailin Jones who redshirted with the team last season. Jones, a Kelowna Secondary standout, split the libero job with Schmidt for three seasons before redshirting to complete a practicum.
A similar situation developed on the outside as Jill Festival will be replaced by Myrte Schön, who redshirted last year to accommodate her Nursing Program's schedule. Schön was a member of the Heat and was the starting outside hitter from 2010-2013.
The only other player lost is middle Kendra Wayling. Losing Wayling's contribution on the court won't be as hard to replace as her leadership in the locker room. Same goes for Festival, who was captain last season.
The Heat have many candidates to take over the leadership role and will likely look no further than their on-court leader and setter. Third year Emily Oxland, a former CIS all-rookie team member and fourth year Chandler Proch will both be relied upon to lead the team's offense on the court and both will be strong leaders off the court.
Perhaps the most recognizable player for UBC Okanagan is two-time Canada West conference All-Star, Katy Klomps. The fourth year middle blocker is one of the most efficient attackers in the nation as well as one of the country's top blockers. Her .308 attack percentage and 108 total blocks ranked eight and second in the CIS, respectively.
Klomps is paired at the middle block with fourth year 6-3 Katie Wuttunee. The duo has been a fixture in the Heat middle and will be pushed for floor time by second year Erin Drew.
When Oxland and Proch aren't setting their middles, look for them to feed the ball to a bevy of talented outside hitters to generate points for UBC Okanagan. The aforementioned Schön will be joined by fourth year Brianna Beamish, who was third on the team in kills last season.
Third year players Megan Festival (Jill's younger sister) and Kaitlynn Given will likely also be starting for UBC Okanagan. Given was second in kills last season, averaging 2.58 a set, and Festival can win a match herself when she gets on a roll, as she led the team in kills in 2013-14.
Canada West rookie team member from 2014 Michelle Jakszuk, who found herself on the court at key times in her freshman season, will look to make the leap and become a consistent weapon for UBC Okanagan.
Fourth year Katelyn DeJong and freshman Siobhan Fitzpatrick, who redshirted last year, will also vie for sets. Fitzpatrick has impressed in the preseason, putting down 17 versus MacEwan in September in a five-setter.
The only true newcomer is libero Sophia Furlan, a high school graduate of Sir Winston Churchill in Calgary last June.
This tight-knit team will have all of their rotation players with two or three years of experience and playoff battles under their belt, ready to take on the expanded Canada West starting October 10 in Edmonton versus the Alberta Pandas.
University of Calgary Dinos
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 7th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Record: 5-17
Last CIS Title: 2004
Last CW Title: 2005
Key returnees: Janna Ogle, Jordhynn Guy, Ali Woolley
Key additions: Amber Brown, Kate Pexman, Amber Adolf
Key departures: None
CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos will be looking to bring back their winning ways to the Jack Simpson Gym as the 2014-15 season begins.
In her third season as head coach, Natalie Gurnsey hopes to turn the tides for a team that had a tough 2013-14 campaign.
"I expect this Dinos team to be competitive in every match we play. We've missed the playoffs the last two seasons, but I think this group has the depth and skill to go on a playoff run."
The depth in the roster this season is a mix of experienced players, familiar faces, and some new ones.
The experience on this team will come from fifth-years Jordhynn Guy and Amber Brown. Guy returns for her fifth and final season with the Dinos as the starting setter, but Brown's story is a little different. The libero comes off of four seasons with the Trinity Western Spartans, a team that has always been a contender for the Canada West title in recent history. The Three Hills native transferred to the University of Calgary to complete a graduate degree.
"Amber is a fantastic addition to the Dinos. As a veteran, she adds a wealth of experience and maturity to the floor. Her poise and aggression as a libero have made the Dinos a stronger back row team and she is a captain in the backcourt for our young squad. Amber and Jordhynn will naturally lead the team as this is their final season of CIS competition and they are both eager to end on a high note."
As for some familiar faces, some key outside hitters return. Ali Woolley led the Dinos in kills last season and was one of the most consistent players on the floor. In her third year is expected to be stronger and more confident. Southpaw Janna Ogle also returns. She earned a starting spot in the lineup last year as a rookie.
Along with Brown, another new face is Kate Pexman. The first year left side, who was a part of Team Alberta, has already seen a lot of court time in the preseason. Also expected to make an impact is Amber Adolf, who transferred to the University of Calgary after a very successful year at Red Deer College.
"She is aggressive, has fantastic jump and also adds some experience to the floor."
Calgary begins their season on the road, October 9-10, against the defending CIS national champions, the Manitoba Bisons. The following weekend, the Dinos host the Thompson Rivers WolfPack in their home opener in the Jack Simpson Gymnasium.
MacEwan University Griffins
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 13th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Record: N/A
Last CIS Title: N/A
Last CW Title: N/A
Key returnees: Madison Porisky, Cassidy Kinsella, Rebecca Martin, Jessica Brown
Key additions: Dakota Wilson, Porsha Diggs
Key departures: Kim Bolin
EDMONTON – The MacEwan University Griffins women's volleyball team have prepared for several seasons to complete the jump from the college ranks into the Canada West league, and this season their time has finally arrived.
With plenty to prove, the Griffins will have many challenges ahead of themselves, but with the return of several starters from the 2013 squad, the ladies will be in a position to build on an already solid foundation. Veterans outside hitters Madison Porisky and Cassidy Kinsella will be counted on for their leadership and consistency following their ACAC all-star acknowledgments in 2013.
Adding depth to the outside position was a key focus for head coach Ken Briggs in the off season. The 13-year veteran added the dynamic leaper Porsha Diggs from Kings University-College. Diggs brings versatility to the court both offensively and defensively, and with her experience provides additional leadership under pressure, an attribute which will serve the Griffins well this season.
With the departure of fifth year graduate and standout middle blocker Kim Bolin, Briggs again turned to the ACAC league, adding veteran player Dakota Wilson. The 6'1" middle brings the physical presence necessary to be successful in Canada West and Wilson will be counted on to contribute from the start.
Rebecca Martin and Jessica Brown will be back in familiar setting roles and with both ladies already accustom to Briggs' style of play. The addition of Danielle Munsterman, another key piece to the Griffins setting future, will be a welcomed return when she hits the lineup in January after fully recovering from an injury.
The team compete in two preseason tournaments, the Griffins/Panda Invitational as well as the University of Regina tournament, and will begin conference play at home on October 10 and 11 against UBC Thunderbirds.
University of Manitoba Bisons
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 5th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: 1st
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: 2nd
2013-14 CW Record: 14-8
Last CIS Title: 1971
Last CW Title: 2014
Key returnees: Rachel Cockrell, Brittany Habing, Jordana Mine, Caleigh Dobie, Sarah Klassen
Key additions: Kalena Schulz, Lexi Janovcik
Key departures: Taylor Pischke, Crystal Mulder, Emily Erickson, Mariel Garcia
WINNIPEG – What do you do for an encore?
The Manitoba Bisons women's volleyball team made a historic run through the 2014 CIS Women's Volleyball Championship as they swept all three matches en route to the national championship. They were the first ever team to go a perfect 9-0 in sets at a CIS Championship in the rally point era, which begun in the 1999-00 season.
As they say in sports, winning a championship is difficult, defending it is even harder. The Bisons look to accomplish the feat (the Herd last went back-to-back CIS titles in 2000-01 and 2001-02 season) with an experienced core group but also have added new players that will find the court as several players did not return this season, including 2013-14 Canada West Second Team All-Star Taylor Pischke.
Co-captains and right side hitter Rachel Cockrell and setter Brittany Habing lead Manitoba this season. Both were instrumental in last season's CIS championship as Cockrell, now in her fourth year, was named CIS championship MVP. Habing, also in her fourth year, was selected to the CIS championship All-Star team and the 2013-14 Canada West Second Team. In addition, fourth year middle blocker Jordana Milne, third year middle Sarah Klassen and third year libero Caleigh Dobie are all back as starters from last year's winning squad.
Head coach Ken Bentley, in his 29th season at Manitoba, talked about the challenge for the veteran players to take on a bigger load with the change to the lineup and that more will be asked of the starters in 2014-15. Bentley will reach a career milestone as he is less than 10 overall wins from 1,000 in his CIS coaching career.
There are a couple of newcomers that should make an immediate impact in their rookie campaign. Left sides Kalena Schulz and Lexi Janovcik were both national all-star award winners, while part of the 18U national and provincial championship Cobras Volleyball Club in 2014.
Bentley feels the biggest challenge is to bring the first year players up to speed as quickly as possible during the ultra-competitive Canada West conference.
Manitoba will get the best matches from their opponents as the defending champs. Bentley believes the team is ready to play well and battle for a top conference playoff spot, get into the Final Four while the ultimate goal is to try and return to the CIS championship and have the opportunity to defend this season.
Mount Royal University Cougars
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 9th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Record: 7-15
Last CIS Title: N/A
Last CW Title: N/A
Key returnees: Fallon Middlemiss, Carolyn O'Dwyer, Kylie Willis, Jenna Smith
Key additions: Toni Vandenbrink, Amy Gordon, Taylor Pelland, Alex Runge
Key departures: Julia Pasieka, Tayler Smith, Julie Deveson, Mackenzie Allen
CALGARY – The women's volleyball program took a step backward last season after a successful Canada West debut in 2012-13 that saw them get all the way to the Canada West final four. Inconsistent play and the inability to win close games plagued the Cougars last year resulting in a 7-15 season. In 2014-15 the Cougars will have to rely less on their stars and begin to grind out close games if they want to make some noise this season.
Much like the men's team the Cougars will lose three of their six starters from last season. Mackenzie Allen, Julia Pasieka and Tayler Smith all played their final season for the Cougars in 2014, with Allen securing a professional contract in Denmark this season. Pasieka and Allen were models of consistency, playing all five years at MRU. When Mount Royal moved to the Canada West conference from the ACAC, they were the ones on the court that helped stabilize the transition.
Carolyn O'Dwyer and last year's team MVP Fallon Middlemiss will take on leadership roles on the court this season for the Cougars. Jenna Smith, who worked under Allen last season, will take over the setting duties this season.
Coach Sandra Lamb brought in some solid recruits this season from all over western Canada including British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba. Toni Vandenbrink came to the Cougars from Douglas College in the PacWest conference. Nicky Zalasky, Danielle Fritzke, Taylor Pelland and Alex Runge all come to Mount Royal from the provincial level in Alberta. Amy Gordon, out of Neelin High School, was the Brandon High School Player of the Year.
The Cougars will open 2014-15 at home on October 10 when they play host to the Brandon Bobcats on Kenyon Court.
University of Regina Cougars
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 8th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: 6th
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: Lost in quarterfinals
2013-14 CW Record: 12-10
Last CIS Title: N/A
Last CW Title: N/A
Key returnees: Tori Glynn, Leah Shevkenek, Michelle Sweeting, Chelsea Ziolkowski
Key departures: Desiree Ates, Megan Semeniuk
REGINA – After hosting the 2014 CIS Championships in Regina at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport, the University of Regina's women's volleyball team will aim to get back to nationals for a second consecutive season.
With All-Canadian outside hitter Desiree Ates gone after finishing her CIS eligibility, fifth-year middle Michelle Sweeting will be counted upon for leadership on and off the court. Sweeting, a Canada West second-team all-star last year, is coming off a season in which she led the entire conference with a blistering .333 hitting percentage.
After being named the Canada West Rookie of the Year and setting a conference single-season record with 860 assists, Leah Shevkenek set the bar at an extremely high level in her first season at the U of R and will look to continue that level of play in 2014-15. She controls the offence for a team that will return Sweeting and Molly Wade-Cummings at middle and Tori Glynn and Chelsea Ziolkowski on the outside.
With five starters returning, it's likely that the only new faces will be at outside hitter and libero with Ates and Megan Semeniuk both graduated. Lindsay Braul has seen plenty of court time for the past few seasons and has the inside track to replace Semeniuk at libero, while returners Jenna Krahn, Abby Hodgins, and Hannah Hardy all have a shot to play a greater role on the Cougars with Ates' two-season career now finished.
After sitting out the first weekend of the conference schedule, the Cougars open up their 2014-15 Canada West slate on the road at Manitoba (October 17-18).
University of Saskatchewan Huskies
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 10th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Record: 9-13
Last CIS Title: 1981
Last CW Title: 1992
Key returnees: Kayla Tycholiz, Jina Barker, Anne Hanbidge, Emily Humbert
Key additions: Ruby Stefan, Taylor Annala, Sabrina Balisky
Key departures: Candace Hueser
SASKATOON – Returning five starters from last season, the University of Saskatchewan Huskie women's volleyball team looks to compete for a playoff spot in the 2014-15 Canada West season.
Surprising the Canada West conference with its 9-13 record in 2013-14, the Huskies tripled their number in the win column from one season prior. Highlights included sweeping the Alberta Pandas and upsetting the then-ranked No. 2 Brandon Bobcats.
With the departure of outside hitter Candace Hueser to graduation, middle blockers Kayla Tycholiz and Emily Humbert will be looked at to lead the team offensively. Fourth-year Tycholiz finished second on the team in 2013-14 with 198 kills and first with 80 blocks. She also added 17 service aces and started in all 22 matches last year. Co-captain Humbert, while in her second CIS season, recorded an impressive 144 kills, 17 service aces and 60 blocks.
Fourth-year player and returning starting setter Jina Barker, as well as third-year starter at leftside and co-captain Anne Hanbidge, will also be counted on to add to the team's skill and competitiveness. In 2013-14, Barker recorded 701 assists with 37 blocks. Hanbidge appeared in all 22 matches leading the team with 167 digs while recording 123 kills and 20 service aces.
Joining the team for 2014-15 is a trio of high school recruits Taylor Annala, Ruby Stefan and Sabrina Balisky. The three outside hitters had success with club and high school teams including winning city and provincial championships.
"The Canada West season is upon us earlier this season and we are working hard to prepare for the most difficult conference in all CIS sports," said head coach Jason Grieve. "We've seen an increase in experience, skill and confidence during the offseason that should translate well for our style of play."
The Huskies open the season on the road against the Winnipeg Wesmen October 10-11.
Thompson Rivers University WolfPack
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 11th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Record: 0-22
Last CIS Title: N/A
Last CW Title: N/A
Key returnees: Brianne Rauch, Morgan Kolasa, Kaitlin Lomas
Key additions: Iuliia Pakhomenko, Krista Hogewoning, Alyssa Wolf
Key departures: None
KAMLOOPS – There is a whole lot of optimism going into this season about this team, thanks in part to the hiring of Chad Grimm as full time head coach. He will be assisted by among others, Nathan Bennett, the former head men's coach at Capilano University.
Grimm has recruited seven new players including Iuliia Pakhomenko. She was a NCAA Division II all-star the past two seasons.
Alyssa Wolf and Krista Hogewoning were recruited from the PACWEST and will provide skill and experience.
Newcomers to university volleyball include Tyneille Neufeld (Winnipeg, MB), Samantha Horth (Cloverdale, BC) and Carly Gunter (Courtenay, BC)—the younger sister of CIS men's volleyball player of the year, Brad.
The WolfPack look to open the season on a winning note when they travel to Trinity Western on October 10.
Trinity Western University Spartans
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 4th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: 5th
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: 3rd
2013-14 CW Record: 17-5
Last CIS Title: N/A
Last CW Title: N/A
Key returnees: Sophie Carpentier, Nikki Cornwall, Casie Gano, Kristen Moncks, Alicia Perrin, Royal Richardson, Carly Hamilton
Key additions: Elly Wendel
Key departures: Chelsea Fitchette, Chelsea Wand
LANGLEY – This is the year the Trinity Western women's volleyball program has been waiting for. The talent has aligned and what will likely be a very veteran starting unit is gearing up for one more shot at earning TWU its first ever national championship.
The Spartans open the Canada West regular season this weekend when they host Thompson Rivers Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Langley Events Centre.
Both games can be seen live at www.canadawest.tv.
The Spartans are coming off of the West Coast Classic in which they went 4-1, including a win over UBC but a loss to Alberta.
With six fifth-year players on the Spartans roster this year – four of which are likely starters – TWU has a team that is set to make a run at both a conference and national title.
Last year's fifth place finish at nationals was a disappointing end to a promising season. This year, almost the entirety of the 2013-14 starting unit is back and is ready to make some noise.
Setter Nikki Cornwall (Coquitlam, B.C.) returns to lead the offence after an outstanding first season in which she was named to the Canada West All-Rookie Team. Fifth-year setter Lauren Moncks (Standard, Alta.) will also be back competing for starting minutes, but has been hampered by injuries early on in the season.
On the outside, the Spartans have added a powerful arm who can, quite literally, jump better than any other Spartan in women's volleyball history. The third-year Elly Wendel (Caronport, Sask.) joins TWU from Briercrest College after finishing second in the ACAC with 3.4 kills/set last year.
Wendel will join an already impressive cast of players on the outside that includes, amongst others, CIS First Team All-Canadian Sophie Carpentier (Ottawa), former Canada West all-star Royal Richardson (Rocky Mountain House, Alta.), Chelsea Tancon (Nanaimo, B.C.), Carly Hamilton (Calgary) and outside-turned middle-turned outside Casie Gano (Sundre, Alta.).
With Alicia Perrin (Creston, B.C.), who led Canada West last year with 1.61 blocks/set, back for her fifth and final year, the Spartans group of middles will be led by one of the best in the country. The Canada West all-star is a dominating presence in the middle and with second-year Katie Devaney (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) joining Perrin, the TWU middle position is likely as good as anyone in the CIS. Last year, Perrin and Devaney finished first and second in the conference in blocks per set.
Defensively, Spartans fifth-year libero Kristen Moncks (Standard, Alta.) will hold down the fort and no doubt keep the opposition's attack at bay. Last year, she averaged 3.37 digs/set and the year before she was named the Canada West Libero of the Year. Second-year Rachel Flink (Surrey, B.C.) has looked strong in preseason and will push Moncks to be at her best every week.
It could be said that this year's group of players is the most physical and deepest team ever assembled by Spartans coach Ryan Hofer. From top to bottom, the team arguably looks as good on paper as any team in Canada West.
Over the last four years, the Spartans have finished in either third, in 2011 and 2013, or fifth, in 2012 and 2014, at the national championship. This year, Hofer's squad is aiming to get to the national championship final for the first time in program history and once they're there, win it all.
While the road to get there is plenty long and plenty winding, this team is hoping this year is the year they finally navigate the entire route.
University of Winnipeg Wesmen
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 12th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Record: 8-14
Last CIS Title: 1993
Last CW Title: N/A
Key returnees: Ozana Nikolic, Elina Domnidou, Hailey Buhler, Chelsea Jones, Tia Boroski, Aaliyah Masepela, Stephanie Hunt
Key additions: Karissa Kuhr, Sonia Rossy, Mackenzie Jeffrey, Rachel Hill, Maria Colvin, Alexandra Rose
Key departures: Carleen Kruschel, Alicia Perry
WINNIPEG – The 2014-2015 edition of the University of Winnipeg Wesmen Women's Volleyball team will have a great balance of veteran leadership combined with talented newcomers. The combination could lead to great things for head coach Diane Scott and her squad.
Fourth year left side and three time Canada West All-Star Ozana Nikolic returns looking to lead the team into the post season. Elina Domnidou is back for her fourth season and once again will be versatile playing multiple positions on the court. Third year Chelsea Jones finished second on the team last year in blocks will once again look to be a presence at the middle blocker position. Third year right side Hailey Buhler finished third on the team in kills last year and has shown in pre-season that she will be one of the offensive weapons this season. Fourth year Tia Boroski returns and is capable of playing both as a libero or can slip outside as an outside hitter. Second year players Aaliyah Masepela and Stephanie Hunt have a year of experience under their belts and will be ready for increased court time this year.
The team welcomes back 2009-2010 CIS Rookie of the Year Sonia Rossy and Mackenzie Jeffrey who played last season for the University of Winnipeg's MCAC squad.
Newcomers to the team include Karissa Kuhr, who played three years at Red Deer College, and local products Rachel Hill, Maria Colvin and Alexandra Rose.