The UBC Thunderbirds women's volleyball team is looking to make a return to national prominence as they open their 2015-16 Canada West season this weekend with a pair of games against the Manitoba Bisons.
                                                                                         
The T-Birds are coming off of a 2014-15 campaign that saw them go 20-18 overall, with a 13-11 record in Canada West play. That mark was good enough for a fifth-place finish in the conference, and earned them a spot in the playoffs.
 
The 'Birds were knocked out of the Canada West finals after falling to the Alberta Golden Bears in the semifinal, however they then topped the UBCO Heat in the bronze medal match.
 
After a stretch where his teams had captured six straight CIS national titles from 2008-2013, UBC head coach Doug Reimer admitted that the humbling experience last season could bode well for the program, both this year and in the long run.
 
 "I think we've learned a lot from the experience of being the dominant team that we were, and now (we are) just having to learn how to work week-in and week-out to make our way in a tough Canada West league, where nothing can be taken for granted."
 
This year, the 'Birds will have to do without the services of former CIS MVP Lisa Barclay, former All-Canadian Rosie Schlagintweit and Canadian Universiade team member Abbey Keeping, as the trio, who were integral to UBC's recent run of success, all completed their fifth and final seasons of eligibility in 2014-15.
 
Despite graduation taking its toll, UBC will field a veteran-laden roster this season. 
 
This year's version of the squad will be led by an experienced core, headlined by Danielle Brisebois (Bolton, Ont.).  The fourth-year standout was named a 2014-15 Canada West Second-Team All-Star after a season in which she paced UBC with 258 kills and 296 points scored.
 
"Danielle really asserted herself last year as a dominant force in this league," Reimer said. "She was excellent on the attack from the outside, and she'll be one of our key offensive pieces moving into the season."
 
Another player that will look to provide a spark from the outside is Laura MacTaggart (Lacombe, Alta.). The 6-foot-4 left side attacker was hampered by an ankle issue that kept her from seeing any action in her first Canada West season in 2013-14, but she returned last season and appeared in 19 contests for the 'Birds.
 
From what Reimer has seen so far, and with additional opportunities afforded her by those graduating players, he expects big things from the imposing MacTaggart.
 
"She really struggled with that ankle surgery, and coming back from that over the course of last season, but she's had a very strong pre-season so far," said Reimer.
 
Veterans Juliana Kaufmanis (Richmond), Alissa Coulter (Calgary, Alta.), and Katie Crawford (North Vancouver) provide a layer of versatile weapons on the outside that should add another dynamic to UBC's capabilities on both offense and defense.
 
Kaufmanis, now entering her fourth season, appeared in all 24 in-conference matches last season, and led the team in digs with 216. She'll be called upon to add another offensive dimension to the team, along with her tremendous defensive steadiness.
 
Coulter, a fifth-year player who's played with the Canadian National Senior 'B' Team, finished third on the 'Birds in kills last season,  with a total of 168 in 24 contests.  Her superior blocking skills, and shot making abilities, can quickly frustrate opponents.
 
Crawford, who is moving over from the libero position in her final season of eligibility, will look to provide leadership and experience as she adjusts to her new role.  A deceptive player with tremendous physical abilities, Katie can be relied upon to serve tough, defend aggressively and swing hard.  She adds a grit and determination the coaches love.
 
With three, potentially four, players at his disposal who can effectively control the middle of the court, Reimer is planning on using a committee-based approach, as opposed to leaning on any one individual.
 
The committee starts out with a pair of third-year veterans.  Emily Cicon and Nicola Laniuk (Surrey).
 
Cicon, a Courtenay native, finished last season with 50 total blocks, which ranked second on the team, and puts her first among players returning for the 2015-16 campaign.
 
"Emily brings a real steadiness of play, strong leadership, she's a solid blocker and she reads the game really well."
 
Laniuk proved herself a capable offensive contributor last season. The 6-foot-3 middle's 65 points scored were the highest total recorded by a non-outside hitter.  An intimidating presence at the net, opponents who are out of system will quickly learn just how big and strong a block Nicola provides.
 
Ciara Hanly (Calgary, Alta.) is the third member of Reimer's committee in the middle, as she enters her second year with the Blue and Gold after appearing in six contests as a freshman.  She too can quickly cause opposing setters to think twice about their offensive choices as her speed, size, and athleticism make running most middle attack against her very difficult.
 
Finally, Sarah Haysom (North Vancouver) is also slated to earn some playing time in her first season out of high school, but the Argyle Secondary School alum has battled an early preseason injury to her Achilles tendon, and she's just beginning to return to full play.
 
As far as the setters go, Reimer is planning on getting a good look at all three of his main options, fourth-year Alessandra Gentile (Port Moody), fifth-year Kelsey Clarke (Delta), and second-year Victoria Behie (Nanaimo). Though injuries have limited his ability to use all three players in non-conference matches leading up to this weekend, Reimer is still confident that the trio will be able to get the job done.
 
"Alessandra had offseason elbow surgery, and an ankle injury, so she missed a chunk of the preseason, and is just now getting back up to speed," said Reimer. "Clarke brings a lot of experience, after coming over from Camosun College last year. Tori's in her second year, has worked tremendously hard in the weightroom and has shown some good development over the offseason. "
 
Reimer also made note of the trio's multi-faceted skill set, pointing to it as a potential asset.
 
"They'll all get their opportunities," said Reimer. "What makes these three really interesting is that both Tori and Alessandra can attack the ball with pace, which adds another layer of danger to our offensive attack."
 
At the libero spot, Samantha Patko (Vancouver) will assume the starting role in her second season with the 'Birds. After appearing in 14 games as a freshman, Patko's ready to assume the starting responsibilities, and outstanding rookie athlete Laura Worsley (Vancouver), who has had a tremendous preseason, is anchoring a competitive second group all ready and waiting in the wings.  
 
Aside from Haysom and Worsley, three other incoming first-year players will aim for immediate playing time this season.
 
Anna Price, an outside hitter from North Vancouver, joins the 'Birds from Argyle Secondary, where she and Haysom led the team to the B.C. High School 'AAAA' Provincial Championship last November. Price also earned the distinction of Most Valuable Player in the process. Price and Haysom also teamed up with BCO to lead the club to provincial and national titles this past season.
 
Siobhan Finan (Vancouver), a 6-foot-2 outside hitter, signed up with the T-Birds after leading the York House Tigers to a fourth place finish in the 2014 B.C. High School 'AA' Provincial Championships. For her efforts and considerable skill level, Finan was ranked seventh in The Province newspaper's listing of B.C.'s top 15 graduating high school players.  She's quickly adjusted to university volleyball, and is pushing the vets daily in practice.
 
Irem Eren is making a bit of a longer commute than the others, as the 5-foot-10 outside hitter hails from Izmir, Turkey. Eren comes to UBC after playing for Karsiyaka SC, a club in Turkey's second division.  She's adjusting to Canadian training  and tactics and her outstanding serve and ball control will certainly be utilized this season.
 
The influx of talent that the gifted recruiting class offers will be invaluable during a long and arduous Canada West season, admits Reimer.
 
  "We're going to need to rely on our depth in certain situations, and I believe that this year, we have the personnel to do that more. Any difficulty  which we come across this year, I think we're now in a much better situation to handle it." 
 
The 'Birds will begin their quest for CIS glory tonight against the visiting Bisons, as the two teams will square off at 6:00 p.m. (PT).  The Canada West rivals will face each other for the second time tomorrow evening, with the opening whistle set for 5:00 p.m. (PT). Both games will take place at War Memorial Gym.