VANCOUVER – The best player in BC girls' volleyball is joining Canada's most successful program.
Alessandra Gentile, who was named the BC high school girls' Player of the Year by The Province newspaper in December, will suit up for the six-time defending national champion UBC Thunderbirds next season.
“I am very fortunate to have such a strong volleyball program and university in my own backyard,” said Gentile. “I am really looking forward to working with Doug and the team.”
The 5-foot-10 senior was unanimously selected by the head coaches of BC's CIS volleyball programs as the top graduating player in the province.
Gentile plays on the right side but will switch to the setter position in university.
"We are thrilled that Alessandra will be coming to UBC and joining our team," said UBC head coach
Doug Reimer. "She has the potential to become an outstanding setter and is already making a great transition to the position. In addition to her tremendous athleticism, she is a great student and a dedicated and humble person."
She starred for the Heritage Woods Secondary Kodiaks, leading the Port Moody-based school to a silver medal at the 2012 'AAA' provincial championships. The year before, Gentile helped her team to a fourth-place finish. She was named to the First All-Star Team both times.
The 5-foot-10 player was also a tournament all-star at the provincial club championships in Abbotsford last weekend as her BCO Elite team took silver in the Under-18 Girls Division I bracket. Last summer, Gentile played for Team BC at the U-19 National Team Challenge Cup.
Gentile is just one of several pieces of a strong recruiting class for UBC, a team that has won the last six Canadian Interuniversity national championships. Despite losing experienced veterans like CIS Female Athlete of the Year
Shanice Marcelle, and All-Canadian setter
Brina Derksen-Bergen, the Thunderbirds will return a solid lineup headlined by two-time CIS tournament Most Valuable Player
Lisa Barclay.
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