Seawolves stocked for title run
Published Saturday October 31st, 2009
SAINT JOHN - With three playoff appearances in as many seasons, the University of New Brunswick Saint John Seawolves women's volleyball team has been inching closer to a goal.
"It's come to a time where we're starting to put the pieces of the puzzle together," head coach Keith Raynes said.
What will the picture look like?
Perhaps an Atlantic Colleges Athletic Association championship title in 2009-10.
Armed with a solid core of returning veterans and new infusion of high-end recruits, Raynes is confident his squad can produce the regional banner this season.
They'll take their first steps towards that goal this weekend, traveling to Prince Edward Island to face Holland College today and Sunday.
The Seawolves went 12-6 last year and were dropped three games to one in the playoffs by defending ACAA champs the St. Thomas Tommies.
Since then, the squad has picked up five rookies - with numerous accolades - who promise to add depth and precision to the Seawolves.
Megan Smith of Calgary is a first-year setter who was awarded UNBSJ's Dave Patterson Award for her excellence in volleyball programs in her native province. Emma Waters-Wolfe of Winnipeg, another first-year setter, brings valuable national-level experience to the side.
Under-16 national beach volleyball gold medalist Megan Fitzpatrick of Shediac will be the Seawolves new libero. Patricia Lake, a third year student who transferred from Newfoundland and Labrador, will share off-side duties.
Finally, first-year power-hitter Veronique Bastarache of Bouctouche offers an aggressive edge and clutch jump-float serve.
"You've got to have building blocks, you need strong setting and I think our team is now at a point where I've got 11 players who can go on the court and play without missing a beat," Raynes said.
Return players include Katie McKeown, team captain and all-conference player; Kelsie Levesque, one of two Atlantic players selected as Canadian Colleges Athletic Association academic all-Canadians; second-year middle Dax Hooper; third-year off-side Jasmine Lavoie; third-year middle Nadine Savoie and fourth-year libero Alicia "Sunny" Hamilton.
"We're still relatively young, but also mature because (the athletes) have played a lot of volleyball at a high level," Raynes said, adding four of his starters are first and second-year players.
"And with a young team, the sky is the limit. You know they're going to keep improving every time they get on the court."
Raynes said the Seawolves main goal this season is to make the playoffs, which they've done for the last three years.
"Once you make playoffs, anything is possible."
With a squad brimming with potential, he feels the time is ripe for the Seawolves to clinch a championship and build momentum for the 2010-11 campaign.
UNBSJ won their bid to host nationals next year and the coach said with this season to improve and become a greater unit, the Seawolves should be primed for a national run.
GETTING READY: The defending ACAA men's volleyball champion UNBSJ Seawolves will participate in a tip-off tournament this weekend hosted by Holland College.
In addition to the Seawolves and the host school, the competition will feature the St. Thomas Tommies, University of King's College and the Université Sainte-Anne Dragons.
Several UNBSJ players participated in the 2009 Canada Summer Games in Prince Edward Island during the summer.
The players include Chika Ikejani, Colin Rouse, Nathan Munroe and Brian Brigden.
The Tommies will be tough competition for UNBSJ this season with several key veterans returning.
The STU returnees include conference all-star Luke Megarity, Nick O'Brien, Frank Duguay, Kraig Crossman, and ACAA Rookie of the Year Brett Lewis.
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