Breaking Barriers

Breaking Barriers:
2016 CIS Championship
THE BRANDON SUN
BREAKING BARRIERS THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016
Nationals finally here after lengthy wait

NATHAN LIEWICKI
It has been 507 days since

Brandon University was
announced as host for its firstever Canadian Interuniversity
Sport womens volleyball
championship. Theres one
more day to go.
The event, which will feature
four Canada West teams
champion Trinity Western
University Spartans, finalist
UBC Okanagan Heat, bronzemedalist UBC Thunderbirds
and host BU Bobcats two
Quebec conference teams
champion Montreal Carabins
and finalist McGill Martlets
the Ontario conference
champion University of
Toronto Varsity Blues and
AUS conference champion
Dalhousie Tigers, begins at the
Healthy Living Centre on
Friday at noon.
With the teams arriving
and seeing all of the different
people, the energy from the
people in the community and
the energy from our volunteers
its exciting, said Bobcats
head coach Lee Carter. Its
something that weve dreamed
about here at Brandon for a
while and the team is ready to
go.
BU enters nationals as one
of two teams that had two
weeks to prepare. The Tigers,
who captured their fourth
consecutive conference title
with a 3-1 (25-16, 25-15, 21-25,
25-17) victory over Memorial
University on Feb. 28, is the
other.
The Thunderbirds ended
Brandons school-record 12match winning streak in the
Canada West quarter-finals
with a 3-0 (27-25, 25-14, 2514) victory in the best-of-three
series opener on Feb. 26. BU
battled tough in the second
match, but fell 3-2 (25-22, 2225, 24-26, 25-17, 15-12) and
saw its playoff drought swell
to 0-14.
Bobcats captain Shanlee
McLennan said theres no
better way to put a one in the
playoff win column than doing
so on the teams home floor in
a national quarter-final match.
Getting the first one at
Shanlee McLennan (left) and Jodie Baker will look to put up big blocks for the Bobcats
this weekend. (Tim Smith/Brandon Sun)
nationals
would
be
phenomenal, she said. I
dont even know how else to
say it, but hopefully we can
pull that off.
McLennan, who set several
records this season, including
most kills in a match in school
history (23) against the
University of Manitoba Bisons
on Feb. 12, most aces in a
match in school history (eight)
versus the University of
Winnipeg Wesmen on Jan. 30,
and most career aces in
Canada West (138), would
love to make more history
before saying goodbye to BU
after this weekend.
And she hopes the HLC is
packed to the brim with
enthusiastic fans decked out in

gold, especially for the Bobcats
match against the Spartans on
Friday at 6 p.m.
Im hoping it will be lots of
fun and there to be lots of good
energy from the crowd and
from the girls, and just lots of
excitement from the city,
McLennan said.
If BU is to have a chance at
becoming the first host school
to capture the CIS title since
the Bisons did so with a 3-1
(18-25, 26-24, 25-20, 25-18)
victory over the University of
Sherbrooke Vert et Or in 2001,
Carter said his team has to
play as a strong unit.
See Familiar Page 3
Breanne Sytnyk joined the Bobcats from the University of Alaska Anchorage this season
and has developed into the teams starting right side. (Tim Smith/Brandon Sun)
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016
BREAKING BARRIERS THE BRANDON SUN
Familar faces back at CIS championship

Continued from Page 2
Shans proven that shes a

superstar
and
Donata
(Huebert)s proven that shes a
superstar and we have a bunch
of other girls that are on the
verge of stepping into that
category, but in order for us to
be successful we need
everybody clipping, he said.
The Bobcats were plagued
with injuries and a tough
schedule in the first semester,
which resulted in a 3-9 record
at the break. Despite going
through four setters, the
Bobcats got hot in the second
semester, rallying off 12
straight wins, which Carter
believes caught the attention
of the country.
Although the Bobcats are
not among the tournaments
top four seeds, BU isnt the
underdog it once looked like it
might be on the national stage.
Our 12-in-a-row run really
brought us out of the woods
and people now take us a lot
more serious, he said. When
you get to a national
championship, everybody is
good and if you look past that
first round youre going to be
in trouble.
Another underdog this
weekend is McGill. The
Martlets are making just their
third appearance at nationals
in school history with their
best showing being a bronze
medal in 2012. The Carabins,
who are making their 10th trip
to nationals in 11 years also
arrive in the Wheat City under
the radar of the elite Canada
West schools.
They lost a thrilling five-set
final to UBC 21-25, 25-21, 2025, 28-26, 20-18 in 2008, and
return off a 3-2 (25-15, 20-25,
20-25, 25-17, 15-10) bronzemedal match win over Toronto
last year.
The Varsity Blues are the
only team in Brandon who
have yet to lose a conference
match this season, and only
dropped four sets en route to
the OUA title. Toronto is
making its second straight
appearance at nationals and
will be looking to improve on
its two fourth-place showings
Canada West second-team all-star libero Donata Huebert (left), conference career ace leader Shanlee McLennan and Breanne Sytnyk, who played NCAA Division II volleyball
during the previous three seasons, including one as a redshirt, are three of the stars on the Bobcats roster. (Tim Smith/Brandon Sun)
(2015 and 2001).

A model of consistency, the
T-Birds are back at nationals
for a 21st time in 22 years. The
10-time CIS champions (20082013, 1977-78 and 1973-74)
are the only Canada West
representative in the field not
to land a player on the
conferences first- or second-
team all-star teams or the allrookie squad. Dont let that

fool you though. Doug
Reimers squad is battle-tested
and could easily add an 11th
national title come Sunday.
Unlike UBC, the Heat are
the least experienced team at
this years nationals. Steve
Manuel, who was named
Canada Wests coach of the

year, led the Heat to its first
CIS championship in the
programs five years at this
level.
Meanwhile, the defending
champion Spartans, who are
making their sixth consecutive
appearance at nationals, have
the biggest target on them.
TWU upended Alberta 3-2

(25-22, 25-23, 15-25, 15-25, 1511) in Toronto to capture the
programs first CIS title and
would love nothing more than
to return to Langley, B.C., with
another banner.
nliewicki@brandonsun.com
Twitter: @liewicks
THE BRANDON SUN

Nickname: Court.
Favourite musical act: The Lumineers.
Dogs or cats: Dogs.
Favourite actor or actress: Tom Hardy.
Chicken or steak: Steak.
What professional athlete do you look
up to: Zach Bogosian.
iPhone or Android: iPhone.
Favourite class youve taken at BU and
why: Any (sociology) deviance classes
with Scott Grills. He makes it funny and interesting.
Who tells the worst jokes on the team:
Lee Carter.
Favourite Canada West gym to visit
and why: UBC because its Vancouver
and not Brandon.
Which three people would you like to
share dinner with: Donald Trump, Tom
Hardy and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Favourite BU memory: This weekend for
nationals.
#8
Courtney
Roberts
6-2
Middle
Third-year
Arts
Brandon
Mackenzie Gerry
BY THE
NUMBERS:
BOBCAT
LEADERS
Career Kills (conference play)
Career Kills Per Set (conference play)
1. Teagan Hunter 1,006

2. Shanlee McLennan 970
3. Victoria Dakin 804
4. Meaghan Robertson 795
5. Jaryn Ruether 557
1. Teagan Hunter 2.76

2. Jaryn Ruether 2.67
3. Shanlee McLennan 2.61
4. Crystal Cornish 2.55
5. Victoria Dakin 2.34
Congratulations to Courtney and all Bobcats

for your character, commitment and true grit.
Youve made all of Brandon proud.
(HT) 2016 A&W Trade Marks Limited Partnership

Nickname: D.
Favourite musical act: I dont have one.
Dogs or cats: Dogs.
Favourite actor or actress: Sandra Bullock.
What professional athlete do you look up to:
Roger Federer.
Favourite class youve taken at BU and why:
Science methods middle years in the faculty of
education because we did a lot of experiments
often.
Who tells the worst jokes on the team: Jodie
Baker.
Favourite Canada West gym to visit and why:
Trinity Western because its a modern gym with a
loud crowd and they have good fans and its fun
to play there.
Which three people would you like to share
dinner with: George Clooney, Barack Obama
and Sandra Bullock.
Favourite BU memory: Probably the ones that
are a little blurry.
#3
Donata
Huebert
5-9
Libero
Fourth-year
Education
Minden, Germany
Tim Smith/Brandon Sun
BY THE
NUMBERS:
BOBCAT
LEADERS
Career Digs (conference play)
Career Digs Per Set (conference play)
1. Donata Huebert 1,178

2. Teagan Hunter 945
5. Becky Young 600
1. Donata Huebert 3.66

2. Ashley Melnyk 3.34
3. Kendra Bommersbach 2.86
5. Krystle Bush 2.46
WELCOME EVERYONE
TO THE 2016 CIS WOMENS
VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
CHARTERS TOURS
CALL FOR ALL YOUR CHARTER NEEDS 204-727-5215

www.prairiecoach.ca
Official Carrier for

BRANDON BOBCATS
THE BRANDON SUN
Nickname: Bam, Shan Bam, Bam Bam, Shan.

Favourite musical act: Rihanna.
Dogs or cats: Dogs.
Favourite actor or actress: Will Ferrell.
Dwayne Wade.
My (psychology) perception class because the
prof was unreal.
Lee Carter.
Favourite Canada West gym to visit and
why: U of Manitoba because thats home for
me.
dinner with: Will Ferrell, Oprah and Dwayne
Wade.
Favourite BU memory: When our teachers
went on strike (2011) and we did nothing for two
months.
#5
Shanlee
McLennan
5-11
Left side
Fifth-year
Science
Winnipeg
Bruce Bumstead/Brandon Sun
Nickname: Tash, Rups, Nat.

Favourite musical act: Justin Bieber.
Dogs or cats: Dogs.
Favourite actor or actress: Matthew
McConaughey.
Manuel Neuer.
Geomorphology, which is just learning about
landforms and the processes that create them.
Who tells the worst jokes on the team: Lee
Carter.
U of Alberta just because its big. I like the facility
and Edmontons a great city.
dinner with: My two grandparents that I didnt
get to meet my moms dad and mom and
Ellen DeGeneres.
Favourite BU memory: It really started before I
joined the team. I was sitting at my supper table
and I got a text from Lee asking if I was interested in joining the team and I sat there in disbelief for about two minutes.
#2
Natasha
Rupa
5-8
Setter
Second-year
Arts
Shoal Lake

Nickname: Gill.
Favourite musical act: Mumford & Sons.
Dogs or cats: Dogs.
Favourite actor or actress: Jason Sudeikis.
Former NHLer Aaron Rome.
iPhone or Android:iPhone.
Management, mostly because thats what Im
wanting to pursue.
Carter.
I liked going to UBC this year because of the last
time we went there. That was when we cracked
their two-season long winning streak.
dinner with: Justin Trudeau and my two
grandparents on my moms side who passed
away when I was younger just because I was
very close with them as a kid and now that Im
getting older I realize how much I would have
appreciated it if I was older.
Favourite BU memory: The victories at UBC.
We were the underdogs and its always nice to
crack somebodys winning streak.
#6
Gillian
Leech
5-10
Left side
Fourth-year
Business
administration
Brandon
Bruce Bumstead/Brandon Sun
BY THE
NUMBERS:
BOBCAT
LEADERS
Career Aces (conference play)
Career Aces Per Set (conference play)
1. Shanlee McLennan 138 (CWUAA record)

3. Becky Young 87
4. Teagan Hunter 71
5. Kellie Baker 67

2. Nikala Majewski 0.33
3. Courtney Roberts 0.30
5. Vaovai Aiono 0.29
Best Wishes to #6
Gillian Leech and her
Bobcat Teammates!
Visit bes t pr omos . c a for all your promotional needs!
GO!
BOBCAT S
GO!
601 Braecrest Drive

Br andon, Manit obaR7C 1B1
20 4.728.303 7
info@leechprint.com
THE BRANDON SUN
Coaches key in developing local talent

BY NATHAN LIEWICKI
Jamie
Campbell
and
Danielle Larocque of Brandon
University, Emma Ciprick of
Dalhousie and Alison Quiring
of Trinity Western will be
among the 100-plus athletes in
the Wheat City for this
weekends
Canadian
Interuniversity Sport womens
volleyball
national
championship. And they all
have one common link: Kevin
Neufeld.
The Neelin Spartans varsity
girls volleyball head coach
guided Campbell, Larocque,
Ciprick, Quiring and four
others who are playing at the
CIS level to a AAAA
provincial gold medal in 2012
and a silver in 2013.
Neufeld only played one
year of volleyball at the high
school level himself, which
came in his Grade 12 year at
Crocus Plains. But the former
basketball
coach
and
commissioner of Westman
High School Hockey League
distinctly remembers the
moment he decided to go
head-first into coaching girls
volleyball in Westman.
I played against Steve
Densmore
and
Larry
Rodenbush and we lost 15-0,
15-1 in the old scoring and I
said, If Im going to stay in
this Ive got to do something
about it, Neufeld recalled.
Did he ever.
Over the past 17 years,
Neufeld coached several
provincial teams, coached at
the Canada Games twice and
had two stints with the junior
national team. During that
time hes seen the sports
popularity in Westman expand
immensely.
I think about 15 years ago
there was a real push not just
to accept being average
anymore and trying to be
among the best high school
and club teams in the province
and country, Neufeld said.
There were a number of
people that took that and ran
with it.
One of those people was
Steve Densmore of Club West
Kevin Neufeld is one of many coaches who has been instrumental in developing
talented volleyball players in southwest Manitoba. (Brandon Sun)
in Virden. In fact, Densmore

has been with Club West for
more than three decades, and
he witnessed girls volleyball
begin its boom even before
Neufeld arrived on the scene.
The number of girls has
increased dramatically. When
I first started there was Big
Sand Club in Winnipeg and
one other club, Densmore
said.
We started the club so we
could compete with the
Winnipeg schools and give our
kids an opportunity to play on
provincial teams. Now there
are tons of clubs out there for
12-year-olds right up to 17.
And theres always been a
motto
Densmore
has
maintained throughout his
tenure at Club West.
We dont cut kids. If some
kid wants to play, they can
come and play, he said.

Thats been our theme all the
years weve done this club.
Although Neufeld doesnt
necessarily have the same
motto, he believes the sports
growth has upped the level of
play, especially in Brandon.
I think the more better
teams there are just snowballed
to create more teams. The best
success the Brandon teams
have is when all three schools
are good. When theres one or
two teams way better than the
other ones its never as
competitive or never as
valuable a situation, he said
in reference to volleyball at the
high school level.
Its evident girls volleyball
has expanded in Westman, but
why?
See BU teams Page 9
Lisa Barclay, seen here while playing club in Brandon, went on to become a two-time
CIS championship MVP and is a member of the national team. (Brandon Sun)
BU teams help fuel growth of sport in area

I think its the fact that they

get a good experience at a
young age. The club system
starting at Grade 6 or 7 has
really allowed them to get a
good foundation of skills,
Neufeld said.
The birth of the BU Bobcats
womens program in the fall of
2005 has also helped foster the
sports growth, said Westman
Volleyball Club director Dean
Oakden.
I think the biggest thing is
having university volleyball in
Brandon. It makes it a more
popular choice for kids when
they are getting to that age
around 11 and 12 and looking
for activities to do, he said.
Volleyball is now something
that may bump other programs
like dance or figure skating that
kids may have done before and
now theyre heavy into
volleyball, especially with
girls.
Neufeld also believes the
arrival of womens volleyball at
BU provided high school and
club teams with another
resource of personnel that are
passionate about the game.
Former Bobcat Kellie Baker
and current Bobcat Mary
Thomson, both of whom were
brought up through the club
level in Brandon, will be
coaching at the under-14
Manitoba Games girls
volleyball event this summer in
Steinbach.
(They) are two elite-level
coaches, Neufeld said of
Baker and Thomson. We
need more of those people
getting passionate about giving
more opportunities for our
kids.
Bobcat players can be found
coaching club programs every
year, the women through the
Cats program and the men in
Brandon Volleyball Club.
Densmore said a few of his
former players have also
returned to Virden to coach at
the club level. Its something
hed like to see more of, but
noted its a plus for Club West
and other Westman club teams.
Its a huge benefit to any
program just because the kids
Alison Quiring developed under the tutelage of Kevin Neufeld through the Neelin Spartans high school teams and the Storm club program. Shes now with the Trinity Western Spartans, who will compete at the CIS championship this weekend. (Photo Credit/Brandon Sun)
see what they can do and what

they can become, he said.
The (returning players)
understand the work ethic it
takes to get to that level and
they can also explain it to the
athlete, as well as show the
athlete instead of them hearing
it from me.
Although the sport has made
leaps and bounds and former
players have come full circle by
returning to their old stomping
grounds to coach the next
generation, Neufeld said the

biggest change needed to
continue enhancing the growth
of volleyball in Westman isnt
on the court.
The problem, at times, is off
the court.
I think sometimes weve
had some real negative parents.
We used to laugh at the hockey
rinks and now we kind of see
that in the volleyball gym, he
said. Parents are often really
hard, especially on young
and I think parents need to

realize that its the team
priority, not just their own
daughter.
Densmore agreed, adding he
had his first run in with a
parent earlier this year. The
higher fees might also be
sparking added aggression
from parents.
It costs quite a bit now to
play and if theyre not going to
want to play in university, why
would they play? Whereas
before they played whether
they were going to university
or not, he said of the under18 teams.
In Oakdens eyes, he believes
keeping and improving access
to gyms in Brandon is key to
the sustained and expanded
success of girls volleyball.
If we can continue to have
free gyms for the kids, that
keeps the fees down, he said.
If its something thats
affordable for kids and they
continue to have fun, I think it
will just continue to grow and
always be there for them.
Despite some off-court
unpleasantries, the expectations
around this weekends national
championship is that it will
raise the profile for volleyball
among young girls and boys
especially during the first
two quarter-final matches
Friday afternoon. BU has
invited students from around
Westman to sit in the stands for
those matches, which means
the stands will be full of youth
with eyes glued to the court.
It gives them something to
aspire to become, Neufeld
said.
Oakden anticipates many of
the under-15 and under-16 girls
in his club will be in the stands
for Sundays placement
matches. Members of Club
West will also be in the crowd
over the course of the
championship.
I imagine a lot of them will
probably come out and watch
the finals on Sunday and
that will give them just a little
bit more to look forward to in
the future, Oakden said of his
under-15 and under-16 teams.
women coaches, which I think

is really unfortunate because
we need those people to be
invested in the sport and I think
sometimes parents worry about
just their own kid and forget
about the team and they think
theyve got a lot of inside
information which turns away
a lot of people.
I could name five or six
coaches that quit coaching
because of some of the actions nliewicki@brandonsun.com
and comments from parents, Twitter: @liewicks
10
THE BRANDON SUN

Nickname: Nikki
Favourite musical act: I dont listen to music
that passionately.
Dogs or cats: Theres no answer for that.
Theyre both amazing animals.
Favourite actor or actress: Joseph
Gordon-Levitt.
Paul Pierce.
My psychology classes. Shannon Gadbois
makes them so much fun and engages every
student probably the sports psych class Im
in right now.
Lee Carter.
why: UBC because my best friend Ryan lives
there.
dinner with: Ariadna Gutierrez (Miss Universe
runner-up), my grandpa and my dad.
Favourite BU memory: Meeting my best friend
Ryan.
#9
Nikala
Majewski
5-11
Setter/Left Side
Second-year
Physical Education
Winnipeg
Mackenzie Gerry
BY THE
NUMBERS:
BOBCAT
LEADERS
Career Matches Played (conference play)
Career Attack Percentage (conference play)

4. Teagan Hunter 98
5. Becky Young 96
1. Meaghan Robertson .284

2. Keely Stang .273
3. Claire Willerton .248
4. Ashley Creighton .227
5. Jodie Baker .218
Elegant Ambiance, Gourmet Foods, Fresh Baked Goods & Rich Coffee
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Mon-Thurs
Fri & Sat
Sunday
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11

Nickname: James.
Favourite musical act: Luke Bryan.
Dogs or cats: Dogs.
Favourite actor or actress: Ryan Gosling.
Chicken or steak: Chicken.
Cristiano Ronaldo.
Psychology. I really like my sports psych class
Im in right now.
Lee Carter.
I like Calgary for some reason. I played a lot of
tournaments there in club volleyball and got
pretty used to the court.
dinner with: Sidney Crosby, Cristiano Ronaldo
and Hillary Duff.
Favourite BU memory: Our second semester
and just the continuous win streak we had.
#12
Jamie
Campbell
5-7
Libero
Second-year
Arts
Brandon
BY THE
NUMBERS:
BOBCAT
LEADERS
Career Points (conference play)
Career Points Per Set (conference play)
1. Teagan Hunter 1,193.0

2. Shanlee McLennan 1,186.0
3. Meaghan Robertson 1,046.0
4. Victoria Dakin 1,002.5
5. Erin Visch-Krahn 760.0

3. Jaryn Ruether 3.12
5. Crystal Cornish 2.90
Helping You
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99 18th Street
Brandon, MB 204-729-9042
12
THE BRANDON SUN
TRINITY WESTERN
SPARTANS
#
Name
Pos. Ht. Yr.
1.
Rachel Flink
Lib
5-6
3
2.
Kristin Anton
M
6-3
2
3.
Paige Bergen
OH 5-8
1
4.
Rowyn Neufeld
OH 5-11 3
5.
Michaella Crema
OH 6-0
1
7.
Sophie Carpentier
OH 6-2
4
8.
Katelyn Devaney
M
6-1
3
9.
Chelsea Tancon
OH 6-1
4
10. Micaylee Pucilowski
OH 6-4
2
11. Vanessa Cornwall
S
5-10 3
12. Jessica Bailey
M
6-0
1
13. Alison Quiring
M
6-1
2
14. Elizabeth Wendel
OH 6-1
4
15. Mariel Garcia
Lib
5-8
5
16. Brie OReilly
S/OH 6-0
1
Coaches: Ryan Hofer, Lies Reimer, Richard Kaufmann,
Dennis Janzen, Joel Pesset.
TORONTO
VARSITY BLUES
#
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
7.
8.
10.
11.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Name
Denise Wooding
Tessa Davis
Alina Dormann
Kersti Sorra
Caleigh Cruickshank
Olivia van Baaren
Angie Bellehumeur
Anna Feore
Asli Ersozoglu
Madelyn Mandryk
Olivia Roscoe
Veronica Derylo
Erin Jacobs
Bojana Radan
Anna Licht
Pos.
Lib
M
RS
OH
LS
OH
Lib
LS
Lib
S
S
OH
S
M
M
UBC OKANAGAN
HEAT
Ht. Yr.
5-9
5
6-0
3
6-1
1
6-0
1
6-1
4
6-0
1
5-7
5
5-10 2
5-8
3
5-8
4
6-0
1
6-1
2
6-1
3
5-11 5
5-11 1
#
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
15.
16.
Coaches: Kristine Drakich, Vincenzo Mallia, Tine Lee, Laura

Inward, Elodie Li Yuk Lo, Adriana Bento.
BRANDON
BOBCATS
#
Name
Pos. Ht. Yr.
1.
Danielle Larocque
LS
5-11 1
2.
Natasha Rupa
S
5-8
2
3.
Donata Huebert
Lib
5-9
4
4.
Regan Dahl
LS
6-0
3
5.
Shanlee McLennan
LS
5-11 5
6.
Gillian Leech
LS
5-10 4
8.
Courtney Roberts
M
6-2
3
9.
Nikala Majewski
S/LS 5-11 2
10. Mary Thomson
S
5-10 4
12. Jamie Campbell
Lib
5-7
2
13. Katie Reeves
LS
5-8
1
14. Sara Barker
M
6-2
2
15. Jodie Baker
M
6-1
4
16. Grier Moffet
LS
5-11 5
17. Breanne Sytnyk
RS
6-0
3
Coaches: Lee Carter, Loren Cory, Andrew Korol, Kevin
Neufeld, Meaghan Robertson, Shane Smith, Lisa Whyte.
MCGILL
MARTLETS
#
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Name
Pos. Ht. Yr.
Rachel Todd
LS
5-10 2
Emilie Matte de Grasse
LS
5-10 2
Victoire Bunoko
Lib
5-7
1
Yasmeen Dawoodjee
S
5-8
5
Erika Cournoyer
M
5-11 3
Catherine Amyot
LS
5-10 4
Marjolaine Ste-Marie
Lib
5-5
3
Julia Askew
LS
5-10 1
Ariane Lavoie-Boutin
LS
5-9
1
Marie-Eve Dorion
LS
5-8
3
Thara Dawoodjee
S
5-8
2
Annalise Vukets
S
5-8
1
Mila Krunic
M
6-1
1
Hannah Whitlaw
M
6-0
1
Clare Nishikawa
RS
5-11 1
Myriam Robitaille
M
6-0
2
Coaches: Rachele Beliveau, Veronic Laplante,
Louis-Michel Bergeron.
Name
Emily Oxland
Katinka Krahn
Katelyn DeJong
Chandler Proch
Kailin Jones
Megan Festival
Brianna Beamish
Kaitlynn Given
Sophia Furlan
Katy Klomps
Katie Wuttunee
Michelle Jakszuk
Erin Drew
Siobhan Fitzpatrick
Pos.
S
OH
OH
S
Lib
OH
OH
OH
Lib
M
M
OH
M
OH
Ht. Yr.
5-10 4
5-11 1
6-1
5
5-10 5
5-5
5
5-11 4
5-11 5
5-11 4
5-9
2
6-2
5
6-3
5
6-1
3
6-2
3
6-1
2
Coaches: Steve Manuel, Karl Enns, Becki Kosinski,

Jackie Toews, Randy Goodman.
DALHOUSIE
TIGERS
#
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
9.
10.
11.
13.
14.
18.
Name
Julie Theisen
Emma Ciprick
Victoria Haworth
Cassandra Pilacinski
Courtney Baker
Mieke DuMont
Abby Czenze
Marisa Mota
Jessica Josenhans
Lauren Koskowich
Anna Dunn-Suen
Alyssa Harding
Amy Appleby
Pos.
LS
LS
M
Lib
S/RS
LS
S
Lib
M
M
LS
Lib
LS
Coaches: Rick Scott, Jon Elliott,

Megan Conroy, Patrick Murray,
Simon Watts, Andrew Ling.
Ht. Yr.
5-10 3
5-9
2
6-1
1
5-8
1
5-11 1
5-11 2
5-10 4
5-7
4
6-1
5
5-10 1
6-0
3
5-6
1
6-0
4
13
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
MONTREAL
CARABINS
#
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
12.
13.
14.
15.
17.
Name
Camille Santerre
Gabrielle Dubuc Gaudreau
Adryanna Dorismond-Rodrigue
Clmence Provost-Lussier
Mikhalla Blanchette
Ariane Broz
Vicky Savard
Stphanie Lojen
Marie-Alex Blanger
Sarah Gosselin
Stphanie Gauthier
Elinora Pentcheva
Karianne Aubin
Katia Forcier
Alexane L. Joly
Pos.
M
S
RS
LS
LS
Lib
LS
Lib
LS
M
RS
M
LS
S
M
Ht. Yr.
6-0
1
5-9
2
6-0
1
6-0
1
6-0
2
5-6
2
6-1
5
5-7
3
6-1
3
6-2
4
6-0
3
6-4
1
5-8
2
5-10 3
6-0
4
Coaches: Olivier Trudel, Sbastien Hurtubise, Myriam Hall,

Marie-Sophie Nadeau.
Quarter-final 1
(2) Toronto vs. (7) McGill 12:30 p.m.
Quarter-final 2
(3) UBC Okanagan vs. (6) Dalhousie 2:30 p.m.
Quarter-final 3
(1) Trinity Western vs. (8) Brandon 6 p.m.
Quarter-final 4
(4) Montreal vs. (5) UBC 8 p.m.
SATURDAY
Consolation semifinal 1
Toronto-McGill loser vs. UBC Okanagan-Dalhousie loser 12:30 p.m.
Consolation semifinal 2
Trinity Western-Brandon loser vs. Montreal-UBC loser 2:30 p.m.
Championship semifinal 1
Toronto-McGill winner vs. UBC Okanagan-Dalhousie winner 6 p.m.
Championship semifinal 2
Trinity Western-Brandon winner vs. Montreal-UBC winner 8 p.m.
SUNDAY
Fifth place (winners of consolation semifinals) 1 p.m.
Bronze-medal game (losers of championship semifinals) 3 p.m.
Final (winners of championship semifinals) 6 p.m.
PAST CHAMPIONS AND MVPS

UBC
THUNDERBIRDS
#
1.
2.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Name
Pos. Ht. Yr.
Irem Eren
OH 5-10 1
Samantha Patko
Lib
5-6
2
Juliana Kaufmanis
RS
6-0
4
Alissa Coulter
LS
6-0
5
Nicola Laniuk
M
6-3
3
Emily Cicon
M
6-0
3
Cara Rosehill
Lib
5-8
4
Kelsey Clarke
S
5-8
5
Katie Crawford
Lib
5-9
4
Victoria Behie
S
6-0
2
Danielle Brisebois
LS
6-0
4
Laura MacTaggart
LS
6-4
2
Sarah Haysom
M
6-1
1
Ciara Hanly
M
6-2
2
Siobhan Finan
OH 6-2
1
Alessandra Gentile
S
5-10 3
Laura Worsley
Lib
5-9
1
Coaches: Doug Reimer, Beathen Thomas,
Jeff Ross, Rayel Rayel Bausenhaus, Marcelo Paz.
2014-15
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
2010-11
2009-10
2008-09
2007-08
2006-07
2005-06
2004-05
2003-04
2002-03
2001-02
2000-01
1999-00
1998-99
1997-98
1996-97
1995-96
1994-95
1993-94
1992-93
Trinity Western
Manitoba
UBC
UBC
UBC
UBC
UBC
UBC
Alberta
Laval
Sherbrooke
Calgary
Sherbrooke
Manitoba
Manitoba
Alberta
Alberta
Alberta
Alberta
Alberta
Alberta
Calgary
Winnipeg
Nikki Cornwall (TWU)

Rachel Cockrell (Man)
Lisa Barclay (UBC)
Lisa Barclay (UBC)
Shanice Marcelle (UBC)
Liz Cordonier (UBC)
Kyla Richey (UBC)
Carla Bradstock (UBC)
Tiffany Dodds (Alta)
Marylne Laplante (Laval)
Mlissa Raymond (Sher)
Amanda Moppett (Cal)
Mlissa Raymond (Sher)
Tammy Mahon (Man)
Kathy Hrehirchuk (Man)
Christy Torgerson (Alta)
Jenny Cartmell (Alta)
Cheri Lansdown (Alta)
Danielle Stewart (Alta)
Shandra Doran (Alta)
Miroslava Pribylova (Alta)
Fiona Waters (Cal)
Diane Scott (Win)
1991-92
1990-91
1989-90
1988-89
1987-88
1986-87
1985-86
1984-85
1983-84
1982-83
1981-82
1980-81
1979-80
1978-79
1977-78
1976-77
1975-76
1974-75
1973-74
1972-73
1971-72
1970-71
1969-70
Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba
Calgary
Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Dalhousie
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
UBC
UBC
Western
Western
UBC
UBC
Western
Manitoba
Calgary
Lisa Kachkowsky (Man)

Michelle Sawatzky (Man)
Michelle Sawatzky (Man)
Kathy Tough (Cal)
Monica Lueg (Win)
Brenda Boroski (Win)
Brenda Boroski (Win)
Ruth Klassen (Win)
Jamie Hancharyk (Win)
None
Karin Maessen (Dal)
Gisele Rongve (Sask)
Mylne Camu (Ottawa)
Melanie Sanford (Sask)
Jeannette Paquet (Sher)
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
14
THE BRANDON SUN
Coach finds his way at helm of BU program

BY NATHAN LIEWICKI
Tell Lee Carters old high

school buddies he owns a
masters degree, teaches at a
university and is a tenured
womens volleyball coach and
looks of bewilderment might
just stare back at you.
Im totally at the opposite
end of the spectrum from
where they thought Id be, the
Brandon University Bobcats
bench boss said.
The only head coach in the
programs 11-year history,
Carter, 51, wasnt a volleyball
tycoon at any stage of his
childhood. Instead, like most
young boys, he was passionate
about hockey.
Carter, who was born in Hay
River, N.W.T., but raised in St.
Albert, Alta., dabbled in
football, softball and was a
soccer goaltender in high
school, but hockey and lacrosse
were the two sports he played
the most and the longest.
After finishing high school,
Carter moved about 45
minutes
southeast
of
Edmonton where he began
pursuing an education degree
at Camrose Lutheran College
now Augustana University
College.
I always knew I wanted to
be involved in sports somehow,
so I went into education, he
said. I went into be a teacher
because I though Id be
involved in coaching. I really
thought Id be a hockey
coach.
After transferring to the
University of Alberta to
complete his degree, Carter got
his first taste of coaching
hockey as an assistant coach
with the Morinville Junior B
Jets as a fifth-year student. He
also laced up with the team.
Even after hed snagged a
teaching gig in Killam, Alta.,
Carter continued his hockey
career playing with the towns
senior A team.
I was a fourth-line plug. I
probably fought more than I
scored and I didnt fight a lot.
So then I got hurt in one of the
games. I got cross-checked but
I deserved it one of those
ones where you should have
Lee Carter got into volleyball later in his life, but he has found a lot of success coaching the sport and has guided the Brandon University Bobcats womens team for all 11 years
of the programs existence in Canadian Interuniversity Sport. (Bruce Bumstead/Brandon Sun)
been looking somewhere else

and you werent because you
were running your mouth off,
he recalled.
Following that, his coaching
path took an unexpected turn.
Carters good friend, Bob
Gabruck, who would become
his mentor, told him, You
should just think about just
coaching. Youre probably
a better coach than you are a
hockey player.
He was joking but that

resonated with me and then
when I hung up the skates I
just coached, Carter said.
Gabruck asked Carter to
help him with a club volleyball
tournament. The hockey
junkie had already spent a year
teaching club volleyball I
wasnt very good but
following that tournament he
began falling in love with the
sport.
He got involved in coaching

clinics, meeting people
connected to volleyball and it
took off from there.
Carter began coaching
volleyball in 1990 when he
directed both the junior high
girls and boys teams in the
hamlet of Alliance, Alta.
During his final year living
in Killam, but teaching in
Strome, Alta., Carter coached
four junior high teams, a high
school boys team out of

Daysland, Alta., assisted with
a high school girls team out
of Sedgewick, Alta., coached
two bantam girls teams, two
midget girls teams, one
juvenile boys team, and a
midget boys provincial team.
That was when I really
knew volleyball was for me,
he said.
See Carter Page 15
15
Carter maintains ties

to his Alberta roots
reason why theres been at least
one Grande Prairian on BU
during each of his years here.
This year its Regan Dahl.
Despite where hes taken the
BU program from its infancy,
Carter admits hes been blessed
with numerous close friends in
the volleyball community with
whom he keeps in regular
contact. University of Calgary
mens volleyball coach Rod
Durrant and MacEwan
University womens volleyball
coach Ken Briggs are among
them.
But then theres Gabruck.
He died from cancer a few
years ago, but left quite an
impact on Carter, the 2013-14
CIS womens volleyball coach
of the year.
He had sent me a letter
saying that he wanted me to do
his eulogy. The guy was the
anti-me. He was so organized
and structured and he taught
me so much about the
organizational end of things
and how to treat people
properly and how to deal with
parents.
He
was
an
unbelievable mentor for me,
Carter said of Gabruck.
He once came to Grande
Prairie and sat on the bench
with me. His family and I are
still pretty close. If it wasnt for
him, I dont know where Id be.
Carter moved up to Grande

Prairie, Alta., before the start
of the 1996-97 academic year
after netting the womens
volleyball head coaching gig at
Grande Prairie Regional
College. It was just a one-year
term covering a sabbatical for
David Kay, but it was an
opportunity Carter couldnt
pass up.
I just wanted to run my own
program and I saw the people
in the Killam area had their
own program and Sedgewick
and Daysland. They did a great
job with them and I just wanted
to be them and thats all I
wanted to do, he said.
Carter skipped that step, but
after his one-year stint leading
the GPRC Wolves, all he
wanted to do was return to the
post-secondary coaching ranks.
A few years later he was
given a chance to return to the
Wolves sideline, but on a
permanent basis. In five years,
he captured three Alberta
Colleges Athletic Conference
titles, a Canadian Collegiate
Athletic Association silver
medal and was named ACAC
coach of the year in 2002-03.
He became Brandons bench
boss for its inaugural season in
Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Lee Carter, seen here watching a ball go out of bounds, has had the Brandon University Bobcats ranked as high as second in the in 2005-06 and still keeps ties nliewicki@brandonsun.com
with Grande Prairie. Thats a Twitter: @liewicks
country and was named the 2013-14 Canadian Interuniversity Sport coach of the year. (Tim Smith/Brandon Sun)
PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE
CIS Womens National

Volleyball Championship
Call Gordon & Natalie Today
www.brandonbuslines.com | 204.571.0231
CHARTER BUSES FOR ALL OCCASIONS
LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED
16
THE BRANDON SUN

Nickname: Dani or Dan.
Favourite musical act: Coldplay.
Dogs or cats: Dogs.
Favourite actor or actress: Leonardo
DiCaprio.
What professional athlete do you look up
to: Misty May-Treanor (beach volleyball).
why: Calculus because I like math.
Lee Carter.
why: U of Winnipeg because thats where my
team won the AAAA provincials in high
school.
share dinner with: J.K. Rowling, Stephen
Hawking and Wayne Gretzky.
Favourite BU memory: The first practices
with the team and getting to know everyone.
#1
Danielle
Larocque
5-11
Left side
First-year
Science
Brandon
Nathan Liewicki/Brandon Sun
Nickname: Reg.
Favourite musical act: Arcade Fire.
Dogs or cats: Dogs.
Favourite actor or actress: Johnny Depp.
I dont watch sports.
My molecular cell biology course because it
was all about cancer and how cancer gets
started at the cellular level, so it was really
interesting because its such an emotional topic.
Jodie Baker.
why: I probably like U of Alberta the best
because Im from Alberta, so my family gets to
come.
dinner with: My fianc, my mom and my sister.
Favourite BU memory: I recently got the
highest mark on my chemistry exam. That was
pretty cool.
#4
Regan
Dahl
6-0
Left side
Third-year
Science
Grande Prairie, Alta.
Mackenzie Gerry
17
BRANDON UNIVERSITY BOBCATS COACHING STAFF
REDSHIRT
PLAYERS
Lee Carter
Head coach
Andrew Korol
Assistant coach
Meaghan Robertson
Assistant coach
Lisa Whyte
Assistant coach
Shane Smith
Assistant coach
Loren Cory
Assistant coach
Ally Wareham
Athletic trainer
Tyneille Neufeld
Elly Prince
Kyle Ryan Denture Clinic

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Proper mastication or chewing allows our bodies to receive the good vitamins and nutrients from our food
204-728-4435
Call Us Today for a Free Consultation! Unit 4 547 8th Street Brandon, MB
www.brandondentures.com
Kyle Ryan, LD, DD Denturist
18
THE BRANDON SUN

Nickname: Katie.
Favourite musical act: The Head and the
Heart.
Dogs or cats: Dogs.
Favourite actor or actress: Mark Wahlberg.
to: Karri Walsh Jennings (beach volleyball).
why: I really like the biology classes, but
especially cell diversity and functions.
Lee Carter.
why: U of Alberta because its really nice.
share dinner with: Karri Walsh Jennings,
Will Ferrell and my mom.
Favourite BU memory: Just meeting new
friends on the team; Danielles one of my
really good friends so Id say the first time we
met.
#13
Katie
Reeves
5-8
Left side
First-year
Science
Winnipeg
Nickname: Barks.
Favourite musical act: Luke Bryan.
Dogs or cats: Dogs.
Favourite actor or actress: Ryan Reynolds.
to: Jonathan Toews.
why: Movement and activities because I
learned how to juggle.
Jodie Baker.
why: Any of the ones in B.C., just because its
fun to go to B.C., and its really pretty out
there, but UBC.
dinner with: Luke Bryan, Channing Tatum
and Blake Shelton.
Favourite BU memory: Probably when I first
played this year and got into a match against
Trinity Western.
#14
Sara
Barker
6-2
Middle
Second-year
Physical Education
Winnipeg
19
Nickname: Jodes.
Favourite musical act: Changes day-to-day.
Dogs or cats: Dogs.
Favourite actor or actress: Blake Lively.
Josh Donaldson.
Sports psychology. I really like the prof and it was
really interesting because it pertained to what
was kind of going on in my life at the time.
Lee Carter.
U of Winnipeg just because theyve always been
a rival team for us and its good doing the homeand-home with them all of the time.
dinner with: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Donaldson
and Blake Shelton.
Favourite BU memory: Playing with my sister
(Kellie) in my first two years was definitely a big
thing for me and not many people get to
experience that.
#15
Jodie
Baker
6-1
Middle
Fourth-year
Arts
Brandon
BY THE
NUMBERS:
BOBCAT
LEADERS
Career Total Blocks
Career Blocks Per Set (conference play)

2. Erin Visch-Krahn 271
3. Jodie Baker 238
4. Alexis Loewen 195
5. Teagan Hunter 193
1. Alexis Loewen 1.15

2. Jodie Baker 0.99
3. Courtney Roberts 0.92
4. Claire Willerton 0.92
5. Breanne Sytnyk 0.89
SPRING into SUMMER with a
PERSONAL TRAINER!
Join our 8 Week Fitness Challenge
April 18 June 13 Registration begins April 1
800 Rosser Ave., Brandon
204-725-4747
Check website for details:
www.fitnessquestbrandon.com
Free Covered Parking Token Supplied
20
THE BRANDON SUN

Nickname: Brie.
Favourite musical act: The Weeknd.
Dogs or cats: Dogs.
Favourite actor or actress: Rachel McAdams.
Kerri Walsh Jennings (beach volleyball).
Anatomy. I just love it and am interested in that
class.
Lee Carter.
why: UBC just because its a bigger school and
kind of cool.
dinner with: Candice Swanepoel
(supermodel), Paul Wesley and Ian
Somerhalder (actors).
Favourite BU memory: When we beat UBC
this season. That was a good memory.
#17
Breanne
Sytnyk
6-0
Right side
Third-year
Nursing
Shoal Lake
Nickname: Griersy.
Favourite musical act: 50 Cent.
Dogs or cats: Dogs.
Favourite actor or actress: James Franco.
Chicken or steak: Vegetarian.
Ronda Rousey.
Volleyball because Shane (Smith) was teaching
and it was a lot of fun.
Jodie Baker.
why: U of Calgary because its where Im from
and I grew up playing there.
dinner with: James Franco, Will Ferrell and
Kevin Hart.
Favourite BU memory: Gill getting a red card
against UBC in the playoffs.
#16
Grier
Moffet
5-11
Left side
Fifth-year
Physical Education
Calgary
21
BREAKING BARRIERS THE BRANDON SUN THE BRANDON SUN
Nickname: Muuurrr.
Favourite musical act: Marky Mark and the
Funky Bunch.
Dogs or cats: Dogs.
Favourite actor or actress: Kevin Hart.
Larry Bird.
Adapted physical education because I loved the
professor.
Carter.
UBC because I like the atmosphere and the way
the gym is set up with the fans sitting all around
the court.
dinner with: Leonardo DiCaprio, Beyonc and
Larry Bird.
Favourite BU memory: When we beat UBC in
my second year in their home gym in four sets,
ending their 39-match winning streak.
#10
Mary
Thomson
5-10
Setter
Fourth-year
Physical Education
Brandon
BY THE
NUMBERS:
BOBCAT
LEADERS
Career Assists (conference play)
Career Assists Per Set (conference play)
1. Becky Young 3,338

2. Kellie Baker 1,943
3. Mary Thomson 1,388
4. Kelly DeRoo 495
5. Nikala Majewski 390
1. Becky Young 9.20

2. Kellie Baker 7.87
3. Natasha Rupa 7.45
4. Mary Thomson 7.34
5. Kelly DeRoo 6.35
Reg Helwer
MLA Brandon West
Good luck to all participants!

20 18thth Street
Brandon, MB R7A 5A3
Office: 204.728.2410 reg.helwer@leg.gov.mb.ca
www.reghelwer.ca
22
THE BRANDON SUN
Then and now: First team has warm memories

BY NATHAN LIEWICKI
While visiting Winnipeg

earlier this month, Erin VischKrahn combed through a
series of news articles and
photos her mother collected
during her first three years as
a member of the Brandon
University Bobcats womens
volleyball team.
I was sifting through those
articles while I was at home
and I did have a sense that first
of all we were so young and
second of all seeing the
progression of the program
and having a new gym first
and foremost and then this
year hosting nationals, its
refreshing to see thats where
the program has gone, she
said.
The newest member of the
Canada West conference in
2005-06, the Bobcats first
season playing Canadian
Interuniversity Sport volleyball
still stirs up memories for
many members of that
inaugural team.
A lot of the starters were
coming right out of high
school, and then there were
some junior college players
coming in, but all of us were
just thrown together and then
trying to figure it out, said
former outside hitter Carly Fox
(nee Chivers).
At that time it kind of felt
like you were playing against
grown-ass women who were
really physical and disciplined
and we were just figuring it out.
That was intimidating and
also empowering and fun.
BU closed out the season by
dropping 14 straight matches
to finish 3-17, but on the court
those opening six matches
were something out of
Disneys magical world.
After losing its CIS opener
3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-14) in the
Queen City against the
University of Regina Cougars,
the Bobcats shocked everyone,
including themselves, with the
programs first-ever win, 3-2
(23-25, 25-20, 26-24, 30-32, 158) over Regina on Oct. 22,
2005.
Kelly DeRoo, now 30,
captained BU that first year
Carly Fox (nee Chivers) has gone from spikes at Brandon University to surng and yoga in the Nicaraguan town of Playa Gigante. (Submitted/Brandon Sun)
Alissa Hemsley (nee Nanninga) is shown in action with the Bobcats and on a recent holiday with her husband Tyrel. (Brandon Sun/Submitted)
and recorded the first kill in

Brandon University history.
I think it was a tight pass
and I dumped the ball, so it
wasnt a big hit, said the
former BU setter.
Despite a shroud of
uncertainty about what to
expect against their new
Canada West foes, BU moved
to 3-3 with a home sweep of
the Simon Fraser University
Clan, but the Cinderella start
came to an abrupt end.
We started strong, but I
think it was a surprise that we
had so much success in the

beginning, said DeRoo, who
teaches at Vincent Massey
High School. We knew
coming up against the big
teams like U of M(anitoba)
and UBC that it was going to
be a struggle.
As a pile of misfit toys,
former libero Krystle Bush
admitted that first season was
tough for the team to gel on
the court.
I think it was difficult to
mesh together because we
didnt even play against each
other in club ball and we didnt

even have any idea who each
other was, said the 29-yearold County of Grande Prairie
school liaison councillor. And
then we were playing at a new
level that none of us had
played at either, so it was
almost shell shock.
But they made it through
that first season.
Right side Alissa Hemsley
(nee Nanninga) echoed the
sentiments of many of her
teammates from that first-year
squad.
It felt like a really long time

ago, actually. I guess it was 10
years ago we played there, she
said. I remember the crappy
gym and the dusty old
Bobcat.
Hemsley, 30, completed her
science degree at BU before
going to the University of
Alberta to complete a masters
in physical therapy.
She now lives in Okotokos,
Alta., with her husband Tyrel
and Rambo, the family dog.
See Winning Page 23
23
Winning a match was a big thrill for trail blazers

The Neerlandia, Alta.,

product arrived in Brandon
after Bobcats head coach Lee
Carter recruited her from
Kings College, an Alberta
Colleges Athletic Conference
school in Edmonton.
He was a good coach, a
really technical coach. I
learned a lot from him,
Hemsley said of Carter. He
was the only reason I moved
out to Manitoba.
And while she still plays
volleyball recreationally a
couple of times a week,
Hemsley isnt as involved in
the sport as others on that firstyear team.
Once I stopped playing
seven days a week I discovered
I liked other things as well,
she said. It was like, oh hey,
I could do lane swimming, do
yoga, or play other sports, or
go skiing or snowboarding.
Since leaving Brandon, Fox
has also uncovered a couple of
new athletic endeavours
surfing and yoga and infused
them into her livelihood.
The 28-year-old Winnipeg
native lives on Nicaraguas
south Pacific coast in the town
of Playa Gigante, where she
co-owns Papaya Wellness,
which offers inclusive yoga
and surfing classes and
retreats, with another woman
from Canada.
Fox has lived in the Central
American country for more
than four years, but got
married in California last fall.
Visch-Krahn, who teaches
Grade 8 at Carol Morgan
School in Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic, was a
bridesmaid at Foxs wedding.
She keeps in occasional
contact with some of the girls
from that inaugural team, but
life and distance and time
pulls you apart, Fox said.
Nonetheless, she was in
Winnipeg at the end of
January and made it to the
Duckworth Centre to see the
Bobcats play the University of
Winnipeg Wesmen. Fox
added that she sees a
correlation between her
volleyball days and the mental
Kelly DeRoo and Erin Henning were members of the rst team. They are both shown
in recent photographs. (Submitted)
Jen Restall digs up a ball during one of the Brandon University Bobcats matches in
their inaugural Canada West season. Carly Fox (nee Chivers) and Erin Henning (No.1)
are in the background watching the play. (Brandon Sun)
and physical challenges of

yoga and surfing.
Whenever you devout all
of your time and energy and
practice into something
physical, youre going to reap
rewards. So in that way, first
being super disciplined and
training for volleyball
applied to surfing, for sure, in

terms of my determination,
she said. In terms of willing
to train and want to practice
and put in my hours, its just
fun to be physical, be in your
body and be challenged and
push your limits and use your
body.
Visch-Krahn has also

pushed her limits, but in a
different way.
The former middle spent five
seasons with the Bobcats
before going to Europe and
playing two years of
professional volleyball. She
said the possibility of receiving
a lot of playing time early in
her CIS career factored in her
decision to come to the Wheat
City.
When I decided to join the
Bobcats initially in 2005 it was
certainly a pull factor to think
I would maybe have more of
an opportunity to play right off
the first year, which is rare for
first-year athletes, VischKrahn said. The amount of
experience I gained just from
being on the court and being
able to play that competition
at such a young age, helped
build my skills quicker than it
would have if I had gone to a
different program even
though the inaugural team
didnt actually don uniforms
during matches.
We didnt even have
jerseys. We were just wearing
Bobcat T-shirts, she said. I
think I still have mine kicking
around somewhere.
After her time overseas,
Visch-Krahn returned to the
Wheat City to pursue an
education degree and joined
Carters staff as an assistant.
Shes been in the Dominican
Republic for almost two years
and keeps in touch with many
of the other first-year girls, and
also keeps tabs on her alma
mater.
I love Brandon, VischKrahn said. The Brandon
Bobcats were a huge part of
my past, so Im a huge
supporter.
Neither Fox, Visch-Krahn,
Hemsley or Bush will be here
for CIS nationals, but DeRoo
already has her tickets. So too
does Erin Henning.
Like Bush, Henning lives in
Grande Prairie where she
manages Windsor Plywood
and served as an assistant
coach with the Grande Prairie
Regional College Wolves
womens volleyball team this
year. And like Visch-Krahn,
she too served as an assistant

under Carter.
The 30-year-old former
outside hitter still remembers
Carter pulling his hair out
trying to figure out the firstyear team.
He was like, I dont
understand girls at all. Youve
been coaching girls for 12
years. I dont understand what
you dont get, Henning said
with a chuckle. He loves the
game so much and because he
loves the game we loved the
game. A couple of the girls
that played in Brandon are in
Grande Prairie now and we
were reminiscing on the
weekend about our time in
Brandon. We were showing
pictures on, remember when
Lee did this. Remember when
Lee did this.
Lee created the culture that
you guys will play together,
youll be friends for life and its
something to build your life
on. That kind of comes from
Lees lifestyle. He lives,
breathes and loves volleyball.
Its not known whether
other BU first-year players
Tina Lindsay, Krista Ready,
Jen Restall, Nicole Semler,
Emmy McGuinness, Robin
Chuchmuch and Jen Lamont
will make a cameo at
nationals, but Henning cant
wait to take in the weekend
and hopes the current flock of
Bobcats embrace the chance to
play for a national title on their
home floor.
I really hope they
understand how special of an
opportunity it is because when
we were playing my first
two years winning matches
was amazing to us. The very
first year to win a match your
first year in CIS was unheard
of, she said. I never once
knew that they were going to
apply to host and I think its
wonderful because nationals is
such a special experience.
They should really cherish it
because not everybody gets to
host. I really think theyre a
good enough team to be in the
mix and not just be the host.
nliewicki@brandonsun.com
Twitter: @liewicks

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2016 CIS Championship

THE BRANDON SUN