WVB fills middle with Calgary commitment

With an assist from a former Wesmen, Paige Forrer took the chance on moving her volleyball career to Winnipeg. 
 
Forrer, a 6-foot middle blocker from Calgary's All Saints High School, is the latest commitment to the Winnipeg Wesmen women's volleyball program's Class of 2023. 
 
She will enroll in the Faculty of Arts and have five years of eligibility. 
 
Getting a chance to play university sport had been a talking point in her household growing up for Forrer, whose dad Shane and mom Cathy both competed at Mount Royal. And it was a conversation with former Wesmen men's player Fraser MacLeod, now a coach at Elite West in Calgary, that presented Forrer her next opportunity.
 
"Even though I wanted to play and always thought I could, I kind of waited it out and didn't talk to anyone," she said. "It clicked for me five or six months ago that this was a challenge I really wanted. So, I wasn't aggressive, but I was fortunate to know some people who put me in touch with Winnipeg."
 
From there, head coach Phil Hudson moved quickly to secure Forrer's commitment.
 
"Paige is a very athletic, multi-sport athlete who brings a tremendous competitive spirit to the Wesmen," he said. "She has a very live arm and plays the game well above the net.
 
"And she possesses the strong leadership qualities to be an excellent addition to our program."
 
Forrer played for the Canada West club since her U13 season and transferred to the ACE Volleyball Club this past season to play her U17 year. 
 
Given the competitive spirit in her household, Forrer said she didn't shy away from the work it takes to get to the next level.
 
"Both my parents were university athletes so playing at the next level has always been a goal," she said. "I played basketball growing up as well, so both volleyball and basketball there was the talk about playing at the next level and that was very real in our house. For me, it's always been a possibility, but I was never afraid of the fact that I had to work for it."
 
Forrer also dabbled in coaching this season, helping MacLeod's Elite West U15 squad. 
 
Now she's ready to make the move to Winnipeg and recognizes the privilege she's earned.
 
"Playing U Sports is not something that everyone gets to say (they do) and playing for a school as great as Winnipeg isn't something that everyone gets, so it's great and I can't wait to see what happens."
 
Forrer joins a loaded recruiting class that includes Sturgeon Heights' Brooke Duncalfe, Brandon's Ella Werbiski, Russell's Emily Lavallee, Kelvin's Naomi Unger and Edmonton's Megan Kendziora.