WINNIPEG – After a weeklong selection camp, the National Women's Volleyball Team announced its roster for the upcoming international season, ending with the Olympic Qualifier in January. Eight current or former UBC Thunderbirds were selected to the national team rosters, with seven of those players earning spots on the 'Senior Team'.
"I am very pleased with the number of present and former T-Birds represented on the National team. I cannot think of a time when any university has had this many players and alums selected to the National Team," said UBC head coach
Doug Reimer. "It's great that so many are getting the chance to compete in such a key year, with important competitions beginning with the FISU Games and winding up with most important event, the Olympic Qualifier in early January."
All-Canadians
Jen Hinze and
Kyla Richey were joined by freshman
Lisa Barclay as selections to the Senior Team. Those three were members of UBC's 2010-11 CIS championship winning squad.
Shanice Marcelle, a third-year standout with the T-Birds who was named the CIS player of the year in 2010-11, earned a spot on the 'B' squad. Hinze recently graduated from UBC while Richey, Barclay, and Marcelle figure to be key players for UBC again next season.
Former UBC Thunderbirds Carla Bradstock,
Liz Cordonier, Marisa Field, and
Claire Hanna were also named to the Senior Team. These eight players have formed the core of UBC's current run as four-time defending CIS national champions.
Players selected for the 'Senior Team' will train throughout the summer with select players competing internationally at the following events:
- Pan-American Cup (July 1 – 9 in Chihuahua, Mexico)
- NORCECA Continental Championship (Sept 12 – 17 in Caguas, Puerto Rico)
- Pan-American Games (Oct 15 – 20 in Guadalajara, Mexico)
- Olympic Qualifier (Jan 6 – 9 in Mexico)
Starting in July, the developmental 'B Team' will be joined by select players from the Senior roster in order to train for and compete in the World Universiade Games (August 12 – 23 in Shenzhen, China). The Senior Team will also be hosting Argentina for an International Series from June 23 – 28.
“We are very excited for both the Senior and Developmental teams this year,” said head coach Arnd Ludwig. “I am confident we have put together to best team to compete internationally this year and challenge for a spot at the Olympics.”
Reimer acknowledged the opportunity afforded to his T-Birds, past and present, both on and off the court by Ludwig. It's a delicate balance for the athletes, especially those that are still enrolled in university. Last season Hinze and Richey missed the fall semester of the CIS campaign as they were members of the Canadian team that competed at the 2010 World Championship.
"I appreciate National Team coach Arnd Ludwig and his efforts to accommodate players as they attempt to balance their academic and professional commitments with the National Team schedule. For example, he has provided the flexibility for Jennifer Hinze to complete her MCAT course this spring and allowed
Kyla Richey to return to UBC in the fall so that she can complete required courses to graduate, but still be there to help Team Canada in their drive to qualify for London 2012," noted Reimer.
Full rosters
Senior Team: Nadine Alphonse (QC, Team Canada),
Lisa Barclay (MB, University of British Columbia), Carla Bradstock (BC, Team Canada), Lucy Charuk (BC, University of Houston), Elizabeth Cordonier (BC, SWE Volleyball), Dana Cranston (BC, Colorado State University), Tiffany Dodds (SK, Ageo Medics), Jaclyn Ellis (ON, University of Alberta), Marisa Field (BC, SV Sinsheim), Janie Guimond (QC, Team Canada),
Claire Hanna (AB, Team Canada), Jennifer Hinze (BC, University of British Columbia), Tasha Holness (AB, VC Wiesbaden), Tammy Mahon (MB, Panathinaikos), Tricia Mayba (MB, University of Manitoba), Colette Meek-Johnson (AB, MAV Elore SC), Marie-Pier Murray-Methot (QC, Team Canada), Tonya Mokelki (SK, Sinsheim), Lauren O'Reilly (BC, Trinity Western University), Brittney Page (BC, Paka), Sarah Pavan (ON, Korean Expressway),
Kyla Richey (BC, University of British Columbia), Jaimie Thibeault (AB, University of Montana), Julie Young (AB, SEW Volleyteam)
Developmental 'B' Team: Beth Clark (SK, Team Canada), Kelci French (AB, Team Canada), Kristi Hunter (MB, University of Manitoba), Alexandra Lojen (QC, University of Montreal),
Shanice Marcelle (BC, University of British Columbia), Daphnee Andre-Morin (QC, McGill University), Marie-Sophie Nadeau (QC, University of Montreal), Alicia Perrin (BC, Trinity Western University), Michaela Ressor (ON, Samford University), Amy Toews (MB, University of Manitoba), Tesca Andrew-Wasylik (ON, Wilfrid Laurier University), Krista Zubick (AB, University of Alberta)
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