WVB: 2021-22 Season Preview

VANCOUVER - A full slate of games on the Canada West women's volleyball schedule will see most conference programs make their 2021-22 season debuts this weekend.

The regular season officially kicked off last weekend in Winnipeg where the Wesmen defeated the Regina Cougars 3-0 and 3-1.

The Wesmen open up Week 2 of the conference schedule when they host crosstown rivals, the Manitoba Bisons on Thursday night.

The Fraser Valley Cascades will make their long awaited Canada West debut against the UBC Okanagan Heat. The Cascades were approved as CW members for the cancelled 2020-21 season in May of 2019.

On Friday night, 10 more teams get their respective seasons underway. The Alberta Pandas, who took top spot in last week's pre-season coaches poll, will make the short drive over to the MacEwan campus to take on the Griffins. The Mount Royal Cougars will do the same in Calgary when they visit the Dinos. The Saskatchewan Huskies head to Brandon to face the Bobcats, while the Trinity Western Spartans play host to the Thompson Rivers WolfPack.

You can catch every match live and on-demand on Canada West TV presented by Co-op. Get set for the season with your choice of access pass!

For the full Canada West schedule, click here.

Team-by-team previews

Alberta Pandas
Brandon Bobcats
UBC Thunderbirds
UBCO Heat
Calgary Dinos
Fraser Valley Cascades
MacEwan Griffins
Manitoba Bisons
Mount Royal Cougars
Regina Cougars
Saskatchewan Huskies
Thompson Rivers WolfPack
Trinity Western Spartans
Winnipeg Wesmen

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2019-20 CW regular season record: /18-6/, 3^rd in CW
2019-20 CW post-season record: /2-1/, lost to TWU in CW Final
Head coach: Laurie Eisler (30^th season) / 414-154 career CW reg. season record
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2017, 11
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 2007 / 7

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 17.2, 3^rd
Kills per set: 12.62, 1^st
Hitting percentage: .252, 1^st

2019-20 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 406 - Kory White, Outside Hitter
Digs: 329 - Jenae Eisler, Libero
Blocks: 87 - Sydney Warchola, Middle
Aces: 39 - Kory White, Outside Hitter
Assists: 844 - Elyse Hart, Setter
*Returning


Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Justine Kolody / Setter / 1^st / Winnipeg, MB / Canadian Junior National Team
MacKenzie Bruce / Outside / 1^st / Fort McMurray, AB / Westwood High School
Meghan John / Middle / 1^st / Calgary, AB / William Aberhart High School
Emma Holmes / Outside / 3^rd / Red Deer, AB / Red Deer Polytechnic

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Elyse Hart / Setter / Bragg Creek, AB / 4
Mary Pless / Outside / Edmonton, AB / 5
Sydney Warchola / Middle / Mallaig, AB / 1

Key performer:
Kory White
Outside
Fifth-year
Edmonton, AB

White, the hometown product, returns for a fifth year coming off a suburb 2019/20 season which saw her awarded the Bakewell Trophy as the top female athlete at the University of Alberta. White also spent the 2020/21 season playing professionally in Hungary, playing for Szent Benedek RA.

This season may see some history made, as she is 190 kills away from being the Pandas All-Time kills leader, as she enters the season 190 behind Meg Casault, who set the record of 1,321 in 2017.

White will lead this potent Pandas attack, which features many returnees from a group that finished first in virtually every CW attacking category in 19/20.






2019-20 CW regular season record: 4-20 11^th in Canada West
2019-20 post-season record: N/A
Head coach: Lee Carter (16^th season) / 140-186 (Career CW reg. season record)
Last CW championship / total CW championships: N/A
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: N/A

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 13.8, 12^th
Kills per set: 10.3, 12^th
Hitting percentage: .138, 12^th

2019-20 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 273 - Rayvn Wiebe, OH
Digs: 383 - Caitlin Le, Libero
Blocks: 60 - Danielle Larocque, M
Aces: 34 - Rayvn Wiebe, OH
Assists: 650 - Jamie Bain, S
*Returning

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Keely Anderson / OH / 1 / Outlook, SK / LCBI High School
Avery Burgar / OH / 1 / Sylvan Lake, AB / Huntings Hills High School

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Danielle Larocque / M / Brandon, Man. / 5

Key performer:
Rayvn Wiebe
LS
5
Morden, MB

After setting a number of school records in her fourth season in 2019-20, Wiebe will look to find a new level to her game in her final year in Bobcat blue and gold. As one of two fifth-years on the team and the only to spend all four seasons prior with the Bobcats, Wiebe will look to end her varsity career with a bang and continue to climb the Brandon University record books in the process.






2019-20 CW regular season record: 13-11, 7^th
2019-20 CW post-season record: 1-2, lost CW quarter-final to Mount Royal
Head coach: Doug Reimer (25^rd season with UBC, 25^th CW season) / 400-110 Career CW reg. season record

Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2014 / 13
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships (if no championships, list highest previous finish): 2019 / 12

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 16.5 4^th
Kills per set: 11.86, 5^th
Hitting percentage: .165, 8^th

2019-20 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 279 - Gabrielle Attieh, M
Digs: 225 - Laura Worsley, L
Blocks: 73 - Gabrielle Attieh, M
Aces: 31 - Kayla Oxland, S
Assists: 530 - Kayla Oxland, S
*Returning

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Trinity Solecki / OH / 2 / Cochrane, Alta. / University of Calgary
Danielle Price / M / 3 / Lethbridge, Alta. / University of Colorado at Boulder
Elise Petit / OH / 4 / Redmond, Wash. / Dartmouth College
Emma Doyon / M / 1 / Saint-Bruno de Montarville, Que. / Cégep Édouard-Montpetit
Elyse Allard / M / 1 / Fort Qu'Appelle, Sask. / National Excellence Program
Lucy Borowski / S / 1 / Vancouver, B.C. / Little Flower Academy

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Olivia Furlan / S / Calgary, Alta. / 5
Heather Pippus / OH / Lake Oswego, Ore. / 2
Gabrielle Attieh / M / Surrey, B.C. / 4


Key performer:
Jayde Robertsen
Middle
4^th
Delta, BC






2019-20 CW regular season record: 7-17, 10^th Canada West
2019-20 post-season record: N/A
Head coach: Steve Manuel (21st season) / 117-91 (Career CW reg. season record)
Last CW championship / total CW championships: N/A
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: N/A

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 14.9, 10th
Kills per set: 10.6, 11th
Hitting percentage: .150, 11th

2019-20 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 266 - Hellen Lacava, Outside Hitter
Digs: 290 - Claudia Corneil, Libero
Blocks: 91 - Natalie Livingston, Setter
Aces: 59 - Amaya Perry, Outside Hitter
Assists: 526 - Natalie Livingston, Setter
*Returning

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Madelyn Hettinga / Middle / 1 / Kelowna, B.C. / Jr. Heat Volleyball Club
Natalie Funk / Middle / 1 / Strathmore, Alta. / Jr. Dinos Volleyball Club
Olivia Tymkiw / Outside Hitter / 1 / Coldstream, B.C. / Jr. Heat Volleyball Club
Madison Gardner / Middle / 1 / Vernon, B.C. / Jr. Heat Volleyball Club
Kendall Stephan / Outside Hitter / 3 / Springwater, Ont. / TRU Wolfpack (U SPORTS)

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Natalie Livingston / Setter / Kelowna, B.C. / 5
Claudia Corneil / Libero / Surrey, B.C. / 2

Key performer:
Sara McCreary
Setter
3
Edmonton, Alta.

Returning this season as a graduate student, setter and team captain Sara McCreary is set to play an integral role with the Heat. A former member of the Canada West All-Rookie team, McCreary was the starting setter during the Heat's last two Canada West Final Four appearances. Sara also led the team the last time the Heat made an appearance at the U SPORTS National Championship in 2017-18.






2019-20 CW regular season record: 9-15, 9th in CW
2019-20 post-season record: DNQ
Head coach: Christine Biggs (1st season)
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2018 / 9
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 2004 / 4

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 15.5, 9th in CW
Kills per set: 11.3, 9th in CW
Hitting percentage: .187, 7th in CW

2019-20 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 215 - Trinity Solecki, OH
Digs: 260 - Kennedy Snape, L
Blocks: 94 - Autumn Davidson, M
Aces: 30 - Trinity Solecki, OH
Assists: 773 - Lexi Peart
*Returning

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Michaela Alongi / L / 1 / Calgary, AB / Canada West VC
Evelyn Kath / S / 1 / Sherwood Park, AB / Pandas VC
Sophie Reed / OH / 1 / Calgary, AB / Canada West VC
Mya Sheridan / M / 1 / Victoria, BC / Iron Maidens VC

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Lexi Peart / S / Calgary, AB / 5
Kate Pexman / OH / Calgary, AB / 5
Kennedy Snape / L / Kelowna, BC / 5
Beth Vinnell / M / Cochrane, AB / 5

Key performer:
Kenzie Vaandering
Outside Hitter
4th-Year
Calgary, AB

The experience Kenzie Vaandering brings to the Dinos will be invaluable this season. The team once again is preparing to host the U SPORTS Women's Volleyball Championship, after the 2020 competition was cancelled the day before it was set to start. Vaandering knows what it is like to compete on that stage and will lead a young Dinos team throughout this season and into nationals.





2019-20 PACWEST regular season record: 11-13, 4th place
2019-20 post-season record: 2-1 (PACWEST bronze medal)
Head coach: Janelle Rozema, 3rd season
Last CW championship / total CW championships: N/A
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: N/A

2019-20 PACWEST regular season leaders:
Kills: 269 - Amanda Matsui, LS
Digs: 286 - Amanda Matsui, LS
Blocks: 48 - Sedona Arabsky, M
Aces: 30 - Amanda Matsui, LS
Assists: 534 - Kara Williams, S
*Returning

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Sadie Wilson / RS / Year 4 / Vancouver, BC / Mount Royal
Cailin Bitter / S / Year 1 / Abbotsford, BC / Mennonite Educational Institute
Kinna Fisher / S / Year 1 / Edmonton, AB / Strathcona High
Emily Matsui / L / Year 1 / Port Coquitlam, BC / Terry Fox Secondary
Grace Warkentin / LS / Year 3 / Surrey, BC / Douglas College

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Kara Williams / S / Mission, BC / 5
Sedona Arabsky / M / Surrey, BC / 2
Lauren Poirier / M / Port Coquitlam, BC / 4

Key performer:
Amanda Matsui
Left Side
Year 4
Port Coquitlam, BC

Matsui was a three-time conference all-star during the Cascades' PACWEST era, and the high-flying, hard-hitting left side from Port Coquitlam, B.C. now leads the UFV women's volleyball squad into its inaugural Canada West campaign. She finished second in the PACWEST in total kills in 2019-20 with 269, and has demonstrated throughout the preseason that her skillset will translate seamlessly to the next level.







2019-20 CW regular season record: 17-7, 4th
2019-20 post-season record: 0-2, Lost in quarter-finals
Head coach: Ken Briggs (20th season) / 56-90 (Career CW reg. season record)
Last CW championship / total CW championships: None
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: None

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 16.2, T5th
Kills per set: 11.79, 6th
Hitting percentage: .195, 6th

2019-20 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 237 - Lauren Holmes, OH
Digs: 374 - Rachel Jorvina, LB
Blocks: 102 - Haley Gilfillan, MB
Aces: 42 - Haley Gilfillan, MB
Assists: 782 - Kylie Schubert, S
*Returning

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Arden Butler / OH / 1 / Edmonton, AB / Pandas U18 (Harry Ainlay)
Amelia Anderson / S / 1 / Kelowna, BC / UBCO Jr. Heat (Kelowna Secondary)
Payton Shimoda / S / 1 / Edmonton, AB / Pandas U18 (Harry Ainlay)
Danielle Jodoin / OH / 1 / Spruce Grove, AB / Nooks U18 (St. Peter the Apostle)

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Haley Gilfillan / MB / Edmonton, AB / 5
Mckenna Stevenson / MB / Sturgeon County, AB / 5
Kylie Schubert / S / Edmonton, AB / 4
Lauren Holmes / OH / Edmonton, AB / 5

Key performer:
Dana Dunbar
Position: Middle Blocker
Year: 3
Hometown: Spruce Grove, AB

The ultra-young Griffins roster boasts just five players not in their first year of university eligibility, so the experience and leadership that Dana Dunbar brings will be crucial for a group hitting a big learning curve this season.

In her third season, the 6-0 middle blocker is one of few who've experienced the winning culture left by star 2019-20 middles Haley Gilfillan and Mckenna Stevenson, who led the Griffins to a home playoff berth their last time out.

Dunbar, a two-time Academic All Canadian, is a leader in the classroom and in the locker-room, while on the court she's coming into her own after learning behind Gilfillan and Stevenson in 2019-20. Athletic with quick lateral movement, she brings physicality and serious hops that allow her to match tall opponents at the net.






2019-20 CW regular season record: 4-20, 12^th
2019-20 post-season record: 0-0
Head coach: Ken Bentley (34^th season) / 1056-450 (Career CW reg. season record)
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 1970-71 / 2
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 2013-14 / 7

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 14.1, 11^th
Kills per set: 10.67, 10^th
Hitting percentage: .151, 10^th

2019-20 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 232 - Kearley Abbott, RS
Digs: 254 - Kearley Abbott, RS
Blocks: 86 - Allison Alcock, M
Aces: 27 - Kearley Abbott, RS
Assists: 488 - Kelsey Jordan, S
*Returning

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Ella Gray / LS / 1 / Surrey, BC / Semiahmoo Thunderbirds
Andi Almonte / LS / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Oak Park Raiders
Eve Catojo / M / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Garden City Gophers

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Laura Findlay / LS / Delta, BC / 5
Sydney Booker / S / Winnipeg, MB / 5
Allison Alcock / M / East Selkirk, MB / 5

Key performer:
Light Uchechukwu
Outside Hitter
2^nd Year
Winnipeg, MB

A Canada West All-Rookie in 2019-20, Bisons outside hitter Light Uchechukwu will quickly be turning to a leadership role in her second year on a young Manitoba team.

Uchechukwu is converting from the middle position in her first year to the outside in year two. At centre court, she was third on the team in 2019-20 with 2.11 kills per set, averaging a hitting percentage of .137. Uchechukwu also had 156 digs and 36 blocks, showing her defensive versatility on the court.

The 5'11" student-athlete is studying in the Faculty of Arts this year.

2019-20 CW regular season record: 21-3, 2nd
2019-20 CW post-season record: 4-3, 3rd Canada West
Head coach: Shane Smith (1st season) / 3-12 as interim head coach of Regina Cougars Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: N/A.

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 17.5, 2nd
Kills per set: 12.55, 3rd
Hitting percentage: .237, 3rd

2019-20 CW regular season leaders and league rank:
Kills: 225 - Dholi Thokbuom, 16th
Digs: 228 - Quinn Pelland, 18th
Blocks: 59 - Dholi Thokbuom, 5th
Aces: 834 - Quinn Pelland, 2nd Assists: 9.7 - Quinn Pelland, 3rd
*Returning

Key Additions (name/position/eligibility/hometown/lastteam):
Paige Davidson / Libero / 1 / Campbell River, BC / Carihi Secondary High School
Marie Leggett-Vasillieva / Setter / 1 / North Vancouver, BC / West Vancouver Secondary School Faye Murray / Outside / 1 / Rosenort, MAN / St. Mary's Volleyball Club
Sydney Scatcherd / Left Side / 1 / London, ON / Oakridge Secondary School
Bronwynn Davies-Neira / Outside / 1 / Newcastle, ON / St. Stephen's Cathoic Secondary School
Jenna Rivard / Middle / 1 / Calgary, AB / Joanne Cardinal Schubert High School Mya Morgan / Middle / 1 / Winnipeg, MAN / Westwood Collegiate

Key Losses:
Cassidy Kitchen / Outside Hitter / Terrace, B.C. / 4 years
Carly Davies / Right Side / Terrace, B.C. / 4 years

Key Performer:

Nyadholi Thokbuom Middle Blocker Third Year
Calgary, AB

"It's really exciting for our student-athletes to be back in the gym and training together again," said Shane Smith, women's volleyball head coach. "We are working to get better everyday. This is a very energetic and motivated group of young women that are eager to compete in Canada West matches." The fresh face for MRU is excited to lead the team this season as they take on their competitors in Canada West.

2019-20 CW regular season record: 2-22, 13^th place
2019-20 post-season record: Did not qualify
Head coach: Melanie Sanford (18th season) / 148-214
Last CW championship / total CW championships: (none)
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: (none)

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 12.5, 13^th
Kills per set: 9.55, 13^th
Hitting percentage: .109, 13^th

2019-20 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 170 - Britt Davis, OH & Diana Lumbala, RS
Digs: 293 - Sierra Parris-Kruger, L
Blocks: 67 - Emma Matheson, MB
Aces: 18 - Britt Davis, OH
Assists: 443 - Elizabeth Tooth, S
*Returning

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Claire Sheppard / MB / 3^rd / St. John's, N.L. / College of the Rockies
Bailey Balaberda / OH / 1^st / Regina, Sask. / Greenall HS
Nya Chiek / MB / 2^nd / Calgary, Alta. / SAIT
McKenzie Keibel / L / 1^st / Calgary, Alta. / William Aberhart HS

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Britt Davis / OH / Sherwood Park, Alta. / 1
Diana Lumbala / RS / Moose Jaw, Sask. / 5
Emma Matheson / MB / Saskatoon, Sask. / 4
Elizabeth Tooth / S / Winnipeg, Man. / 3
Brittany Rousseaux / OH / Swift Current, Sask. / 3

Key performer:
Name: Jessica Lerminiaux
Position: Outside Hitter
Year: 4^th
Hometown: Regina, Sask.

A huge contributor for the Cougars since the moment she arrived on campus, Jessica Lerminiaux returns for her fourth season in a U of R uniform. She's already eighth in the school's Canada West era in career kills, as she's put down 626 of those through her first three years with the team. Lerminiaux put up obscene numbers in the team's final two non-conference wins last weekend, hitting .510 and putting down 19 kills in the team's three-set win over MacEwan and then hitting .640 in the U of R's three-set sweep over Fraser Valley.






2019-20 CW regular season record: 14-10, 6^th in CW
2019-20 post-season record: 1-2, eliminated by Alberta in CW QF
Head coach: Mark Dodds (7^th season) / 50-70 (Career CW reg. season record)
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 1991-92 / 7
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 1980-81 / 3

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 15.8, 7th in CW
Kills per set: 11.63, 8^th in CW
Hitting percentage: .202, 4^th in CW

2019-20 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 327 - Emily Koshinsky, OH
Digs: 393 - Shae Beaulieu, L
Blocks: 109 - Manidi Fraser, M
Aces: 29 - Emily Koshinsky, OH
Olivia Mattern, OH
Assists: 833 - Averie Allard, S
*Returning

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Emma Matheson / M / 5 / University of Regina
Jessica Andjelic / L / 4 / University of Winnipeg

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Angela Lavoie / OH / Albertville, SK / 4
Jessica Zacharias / S / Caronport, SK / 3

Key performer:
Emily Koshinsky
OH
5
Jansen, SK

Back for her fifth-and-final year with the Huskies is Emily Koshinsky. The Jansen, Sask. native is one of the all-time greats to suit up for the program. Koshinsky broke her own single-season program record with 327 kills in 2019-20 and enters 2021-22 fifth in the Huskies record books with 977 career kills, only 51 shy of breaking the individual program record. The 2019-20 Canada West First-Team All-Star figures to play a significant role in leading Saskatchewan back to the postseason, after the program made their first playoff appearance since 2002-03 last season.






2019-20 CW regular season record: 16-8, 5th place
2019-20 post-season record: 3-2, Lost CW bronze
Head coach: Chad Grimm (8th season) / 71-73 (Career CW reg. season record)
Last CW championship / total CW championships: N/A best finish 4th in 2019-20
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: N/A

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 16.2, T-5th
Kills per set: 11.74, 7th
Hitting percentage: .196, 5th

2019-20 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 284 - Kendra Finch, OH
Digs: 288 - Kendra Finch, OH
Blocks: 91 - Kseniya Kocyigit, M
Aces: 32 - Kseniya Kocyigit, M
Assists: 464 - Anastasiia Muzyka, S
*Returning

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Seray Altay / OH / 1st-year / Istanbul, TUR / Besiktas
Kate Lamothe / M / 1st-year / Winchester, ON / Ottawa Mavericks
Hadley Schmidt / S / 1st-year / Warman, SK / St. Joseph HS
Brooklyn Olfert / OH / 1st-year / Winnipeg, MB / Dakota Collegiate


Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Kseniya Kocyigit / M / Byarosea, BEL / 1
Avery Pottle / M / Uxbridge, ON / 4
Olga Savenchuk / OH / Donetsk, URK / 2
Abby Spratt / S / Calgary, AB / 4

Key performer:
Katie Ludvig
Libero
4th-year
Kamloops, BC

Kamloops product Katie Ludvig will be counted on the lead the defensive efforts of the WolfPack this season. The fourth-year libero racked up 135 digs in 58 sets of action in 2019-20 and will be one of the standout performers on a WolfPack women's team looking to build on a program-best fourth place Canada West finish when they were last in action.






2019-20 CW regular season record: 22-2, 1st
2019-20 post-season record: 5-1, 1st
Head coach: Ryan Hofer (17th season) / 243-86 (Career CW reg. season record)
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2020 / 4
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 2015 / 1

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 17.8, 1st
Kills per set: 12.41, 4th
Hitting percentage: .251, 2nd

2019-20 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 3.95/set - Hilary Howe, Left Side
Digs: 2.71/set - Emma Gamache, Libero
Blocks: 1.30/set - Mikaelyn Sych, Middle
Aces: 0.57/set - Hilary Howe, Left Side
Assists: 6.71 - Dora Komlodi, Setter
*Returning

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Tayrn Grandia / Outside / 1^st / Aldergrove, BC / St. John Brebeuf
Mikayla Benterud / Middle / 3^rd / Sherwood Park, AB / Briercrest
Kendra Kern / Setter / 1^st / Edmonton / Jasper Place
Kaylee Plouffe / Middle / 1^st / Edmonton / Jasper Place
Mikayla McBain / Libero / 1^st / Burlington, ON / Nelson

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Hilary Howe / Left Side / Calgary / 5
Mikaelyn Sych / Middle / Airdrie, AB / 2

Key performer:
Savannah Purdy
Outside
3^rd-Year
Victoria

Savannah Purdy comes into her third year of eligibility as one of TWU's go-to options on the left side, as she is quickly proving to be a rising star in Canada West. In 2019-20, she was second on the Canada West champion Spartans in kills per set, with 2.14, and third on the team in digs per set, with 1.76. Now, she will step into a larger role with TWU, as the Spartans take aim at their third straight conference title. Purdy had an outstanding preseason, highlighted by a 26-kill performance in a four-set win over Alberta, and will no doubt be one to watch in the 2021-22 campaign. The 2018-19 Canada West Rookie of the Year helped lead TWU to a 6-0 preseason this year and will be relied upon as the Spartans flip the page on a new era on the outside, following the graduation of perennial all-star Hilary Howe.





2019-20 CW regular season record: 9-15, eighth place
2019-20 post-season record: 0-2, lost in quarter-finals
Head coach: Phil Hudson (2nd season) / 9-15 (Career CW reg. season record)
Last CW championship / total CW championships: Year / 0
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 1993 / 7

2019-20 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 15.7, eighth
Kills per set: 12.56, second
Hitting percentage: .158, ninth

2019-20 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 290 - Emma Parker, left side
Digs: 374 - Madison Fyvie, libero
Blocks: 63 - Taylor Boughton, middle
Aces: 39 - Ashleigh Laube, left side
Assists: 823 - Rylie Dickson, setter
*Returning

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Taylor Cangemi, libero, 1st, Calgary, Lord Beaverbrook High School
Portia Switzer, setter, 3rd, White City, Sask., Vancouver Island University
Jaya Dzkowicz, left side, 1st, Winnipeg, Dakota Collegiate
Taylor McGillivray, middle, 1st, Winnipeg, Dakota Collegiate

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Rylie Dickson, setter, Virden, Man., five
Kalena Schulz, outside, Winnipeg, three
Madison Fyvie, libero, Winnipeg, four
Taylor Boughton, middle, Winnipeg, three

Key performer:
Emma Parker
Left side
Fourth
Winnipeg

A second-team all-conference in 2019-20, Parker led the team in kills and was fourth in the nation. A versatile athlete, Parker not only sees the bulk of the swings in the Wesmen attack (1009 in 2019-20) but she also finished with 252 digs, the second time in as many years she topped the 250 mark.