VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds are used to having targets on their backs by now, heading into their fifth straight season as defending national champions. Head coach
Doug Reimer's group has seen a lot during their run as CIS champs, but one thing that will still take some getting used to is taking the court without
Kyla Richey and
Rayel Quiring.
Quiring and Richey, both outside hitters, were the only two T-Birds to play on all five title-winning teams. They graduated last year, but not before Richey collected a CIS MVP trophy to go with her five gold medals.
“It's pretty incredible to think that they went through their entire careers and didn't just make five straight CIS championships or even to medal in five straight, but to actually win gold and never to lose a match at nationals,” said Reimer. “It really humbles you a little bit to think how many things have to fall into place.”
And things did seem to fall into place year after year, as the T-Birds graduated numerous All-Stars, All-Canadians and MVPs, only to bring up another great player in their place. Despite losing reigning MVP Richey this year, they have a former CIS MVP in
Shanice Marcelle (Victoria, BC) primed and ready to take on a leadership role as she enters her fifth season.
“Shanice has had a huge impact on this program already in the four years she's been here. She was doing things as a first and second year player that most aren't doing skill and composure-wise until they are veterans,” said Reimer. “Last year she battled through some injuries and was coming off national team programs so it wasn't the easiest year for her but I'm sure shes looking forward to getting back out there.”
Joining Marcelle on the outside is another athlete with great credentials after just two CIS seasons.
Lisa Barclay (Brandon, MB) had a great conference season, finishing seventh in hitting percentage, and pushed it to another level in the playoffs to earn a CIS tournament MVP nod.
“Lisa definitely stepped up last year and it helped take some pressure off Shanice and Kyla when teams were keying on them,” Reimer said in reference to her playoff run. “I think she's continued to develop and improve in all areas of her game and she benefited from some national team training last summer as well.”
She has the height and athleticism to be a dangerous defender in addition to being a major attacking weapon on the outside, and her big serve earned her five aces in the title game last year.
The 'Birds also have tremendous depth on the outside, with
Rosie Schlagintweit (Abbotsford, BC),
Begum Pulas (Istanbul, Turkey) and
Alissa Coulter (Calgary, AB) all capable of stepping in without missing a beat. Schlagintweit saw plenty of court time last year and should be a key offensive option again in her third year. Pulas and Coulter were used sparingly as rookies but will have much greater roles as sophomores with two outside hitters graduating from the team last year.
As big as their personnel losses were, Reimer has to like the fact that he lost just one starter from his championship squad. Setter
Brina Derksen-Bergen (Abbotsford, BC) enters her fifth year at the helm of an offence she has had lots of time to get familiar with, and thanks to a reinforced group of middles at Reimer's disposal, her duties will be more focused on running that offence.
“People have different roles and different circumstances for us this year,” said Reimer. “Brina filled a huge role for us last year as the starting setter but also blocking out of the middle position. That was a big load for her, and this year because we are healthier in the middle and have more depth, she will go back to playing a traditional setters role.”
Third-year
Kirsty Setterlund (White Rock, BC) will back up Derksen-Bergen.
That improved group of middles is led by
Jessica von Schilling, now entering her fourth year and more than a year removed from a knee injury that kept her out early last season. She averaged more than two kills and 1.2 blocks per game after her return, and has already been a Canada West All-Star in her career.
Third-years
Abbey Keeping (Surrey, BC) and
Mariah Bruinsma (Chilliwack, BC) both got to see lots of playing time last year with the shortage of middles and both finished top ten in conference blocking. The 'Birds will also add some rookie depth to their group in the middle. All three T-Bird recruits played some middle in high school, but
Emily Cicon (Courtenay, BC), a former Team BC member, will likely be the one to join the ranks with Keeping and Bruinsma.
The other two rookies,
Juliana Kaufmanis (Richmond, BC) and
Danielle Brisebois (Bolton, ON), will likely play as outside hitters for the 'Birds. Both were named to the Junior National Team this summer after stellar careers at the high school and provincial levels.
The 'Birds also have a big group of liberos in the back court, led by seniors
Briana Liau Kent (Vancouver, BC) and
Danielle Richards (Shawnigan Lake). Third-year
Kristine Johnson (Winnipeg, MB) and redshirt rookie Kaitlin Crawford (Kingston, ON) will play behind the veterans.
After an 8-2 preseason the T-Birds fell to No. 2 in the rankings, but they won't have to wait long to prove themselves when conference play starts. UBC kicks the season off with a home-and-home against No. 1 Trinity Western, and then hosts No. 3 Alberta, who they beat in the CIS title game last year, in week two.
“We will be tested right away. It's a difficult first half playing two top-three teams to start the year so we will find out where we stand pretty quickly,” Reimer said.
-30-
