SEASON PREVIEW: Curtain set to lift on AUS women's volleyball season

Tigers return 15 as they seek 11th straight AUS crown

By Corey LeBlanc

Opening serve for what is expected to be another highly competitive Atlantic University Sport (AUS) volleyball regular season is set for this weekend.

On Friday, Oct. 27, the Memorial Sea-Hawks will visit the UNB Reds in Fredericton (6 p.m. ADT), while the Saint Mary's Huskies will travel to Wolfville to face the Acadia Axewomen (7 p.m. ADT).

The Dalhousie Tigers – a program that has captured 10 consecutive AUS banners, a streak only interrupted by a cancelled season wiped out by the COVID-19 global pandemic – will be looking to defend their AUS championship. While 10 straight titles is certainly impressive, it shockingly only ties the record set by UNB's women's volleyball program from 1961-70. An 11th consecutive title this season would put the Tigers alone on top of the mountain.

"There is plenty of excitement for what we believe is going to be an extremely tight and competitive season," Dalhousie interim head coach Michelle Aucoin said.

Noting the great energy of her roster – one that boasts 15 returning student-athletes – she offered that the Tigers are primed to "build on our really strong finish," which ended with a bronze medal for the storied program at U SPORTS nationals in 2023.

Before reaching the national podium, Dalhousie finished first in the AUS regular season – with a 17-3 record – before defeating UNB and Acadia in the conference playoff tournament.

Describing having so many returning student-athletes as "quite significant," she said that depth will be one of the key strengths for the defending conference champions.

"Of course, we expect her to be a key contributor," Aucoin said of last season's AUS Most Valuable Player and AUS/U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian outside hitter Lucy Glen-Carter (Toronto, ON).

Middle players Grace Calnan (Dartmouth, NS) and Ella Hornby (Calgary, AB) – AUS First and Second Team All-Stars, respectively – comprise a formidable duo that Aucoin noted will be "very important" for the Tigers.

Outside players Paris Stewart (Halifax, NS) – an AUS All-Rookie Team member – and Talia Vydykhan (Hammonds Plains, NS) are expected to build on strong second-half performances from last season.

Although the loss of veteran setter Brett Boldon is "significant," Aucoin believes the Tigers have the personnel to "fill those big shoes."

When the Tigers are playing their best volleyball, Aucoin explained that first contact – whether they are serving or receiving serve – is crucial. She noted that the team has also been working a lot on its defensive systems.

She expects the Tigers to be in the hunt to claim another conference championship banner.

As she described, this season serves as a "homecoming" for Aucoin – a former AUS All-Star with the Tigers – who also coached the former STFX X-Women program.

"I am quite privileged and proud to have this opportunity," she said.

The next step

The Tigers secured last season's crown with a hard-fought victory over the Acadia Axewomen in the conference title match.

"We are focused on winning the AUS championship and then being competitive at nationals," head coach Michelle Wood – the AUS Coach of the Year last season – offered.

After finishing in third last season – with a 14-6 mark – Acadia upended the higher-seeded Saint Mary's Huskies in a semi-final match before their loss to the Tigers.

Back to anchor the Axewomen line-up – one featuring a bunch of seniors – is conference First Team All-Star Rebecca Dorsey (Toronto, ON), a fourth-year libero. Noting her strength on digs, Wood described the veteran as a phenomenal leader.

The veteran contingent also includes middle players Olivia Haley (South Glengarry, ON), Wesley-Ann Bailey (Ottawa, ON) and Erica Fisher (Middle Stewiacke, NS). They, along with setter Charlotte Dean (Mississauga, ON), an AUS Second Team All-Star last season, and outside hitter Eve Collombin (Victoria, BC), are expected to play prominent roles.

As for newcomers, Leah Weatherhead (Windsor Junction, NS) is an outside hitter, who Wood described as "quite diverse."

"She has quite a lot of pace [on her shots]," the head coach added of the Team Nova Scotia Canada Games performer.

Freshman outside Allison Van Zeumeren (Brampton, ON) – a left-handed, right side – is expected to contribute right away.

Wood said the third key first-year student-athlete – libero Daragh McIntosh (Ottawa, ON) – will learn a great deal being mentored by Dorsey.

The Axewomen will have four women at the helm, with assistant coaches Vanessa Chorkawy, Melissa Sewell and Hillary Trask will be helping Wood on the sidelines. Woos said the group's coaching pedigree boasts All-Canadian playing experience, and time with the national team program.

"It is a privilege," Wood offered, describing the coaching group as "pretty cool."

Plenty of bark

In the south end of Halifax, the Saint Mary's Huskies – once again – are expected to be contenders for an AUS banner.

"We are excited to get going," head coach Darren Russell said.

He noted that for likely the first time in his tenure, the Maroon and White will return the bulk of its roster from the previous season, including every starter.

"And, we have added some new athletes that we are really excited about," he offered. "We are really optimistic and are looking forward to another great AUS season."

The Huskies finished second last season – at 15-5 – before the semi-final setback to the Axewomen.

"Everyone is going to have to step up – not just one or two players," Russell said, when asked what student-athletes will need to lead the way.

Nevertheless, he noted the importance of right side Megan Bruhm (Hubley, NS) and left side Olivia Bell (LaHave Islands, NS) – both First Team AUS All-Stars last season – deciding to return for their final varsity campaigns.

"They are going to help create a lot of great volleyball," Russell said.

Internationals Alena Piatukhova (Minsk, Belarus) and Emilia Mikanovich (Minsk, Belarus) – an AUS Second Team All-Star and All-Rookie Team selection – will be with the program for the full year. The pair did not join the Huskies last season until January.

Setter Taylor Lougheed (Calgary, AB) – an All-Rookie Team member and Second Team All-Star – is also back on the court.

As for newcomers, left side Syree Tucker (Kitchener, ON) and middle Anna Liniewski (Burnaby, BC) bring varsity experience to the table, while the program expects freshman left side Brea De Souza (Oakville, ON) to contribute. Left side Sarah Harland (Milton, ON), another highly regarded first-year student-athlete, will miss the season because of a shoulder injury.

"We are going to be very deep offensively," Russell offered. "I think that we are going to be fun and exciting to watch."

Russell said, talent wise, his Huskies should be in the running for an AUS championship, but he stressed that much hinges on his group coming together and competing hard each night.

He explained that level of commitment is more important than ever, considering the conference should include strong teams, as usual, from Dalhousie and Acadia, with UNB continuing its ascension; not to mention the great strides Moncton and Memorial have made.

"It is going to be a tight, tight league, so it is going to take a gallant effort," Russell said of winning the AUS title.

Time to grow

In Fredericton, the UNB Reds are coming off a fourth-place finish last season – at 9-11 – which ended with a semi-final loss to the eventual champion Tigers.

"We have a young group," interim head coach John Richard said.

He noted that there is only one fifth-year body on his 16-player roster; one that includes 11 student-athletes in their first and second year of eligibility.

"It is an exciting and energetic group that is going to need time to grow," Richard offered. "We are going to rely a lot on second and third-year's in key spots.".

He said that they are going to lean on outside hitter Heather Benko (Sechelt, BC), who was the conference's Rookie of the Year and an AUS All-Star last season.

Russell also expects sophomore libero Jenna Adams (Truro, NS) to play a prominent role for the Reds.

Freshman outside hitter Talia Nixon (Fredericton, NB) is also projected to make an immediate impact.

Richard anticipates roster depth will be one of their strengths this season.

"I am excited to see the growth," he said.

Playoff aspiration

As part of the steady development of the program, the next goal for the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues is securing a berth in the AUS playoffs.

"We are pretty excited, and I am so proud of the progress that we have made," third-year coach, Joline Richard, said.

With a 5-15 record last season, Moncton finished out of the post-season picture.

"Our goal is to change that," Richard noted.

She explained that one of the ways in which they hope to achieve it is to turn "tight losses" from last season into victories in 2023-24.

Richard said Moncton will also benefit from returning a "solid core," one that includes a pair of Second Team AUS All-Stars from last season: middle Ivana Urquhart-Mladineo (Saint John, NB) and libero Emily Robichaud (Dieppe, NB).

"They are going to have to lead the way," she added.

Richard said that the program has added five first-year student-athletes, including Hannah Lytwyn (Winnipeg, MB).

"She is going to be an important player for us," the Moncton head coach noted.

Richard also stressed the importance of having a "team effort" to their success.

"We have to play together – with great energy – and work really hard," she said.

Continue to improve

The Memorial Sea-Hawks, coming off a winless season (0-20), are pretty excited about tackling a new AUS campaign, according to head coach Sydney Rohm.

Memorial has added seven freshmen, while six student-athletes from last season are no longer with the program.

"We have a lot of new faces," Rohm said. "Everyone is happy about getting back to the gym."

Rohm said they are getting "tremendous leadership" from a pair of veterans who were voted captain by their teammates: outside hitter Sarah Trowbridge (Sunnyside, NL) and opposite Lydia Grawer (St. Louis, MO).

"They are doing an amazing job," the head coach added of their effort – on and off the court.

They have also received a leadership boost from sophomore setter Karen Greek (Mount Pearl, NL), who Rohm said leads by example and holds her teammates accountable.

Freshman middle Taylar Johnston (Nokomis, SK) has been unbelievable in the gym, according to Rohm.

"She has everything you want in a rookie; she is so coachable," the Memorial head coach offered.

As for setter Teagan Penner (Winnipeg, MB), "She runs an unreal offense."

Rohm explained that the freshmen may not have as much of an impact on the court this season; nevertheless, it will and has been felt in practice.

"We have an aggressive attitude, which I love," she offered of their strong service game, one of the strengths of the Sea-Hawks.

Rohm also stressed the importance of communication to their success, which she noted has "been awesome."

"It is all about meaningful talk," she offered, in areas such as delivering the game plan.

Looking forward, Rohm expects the pre-Christmas schedule to focus on "our development."

"We still have some kinks to work out," she said.

Noting that making the playoffs is "doable," Rohm offered, "No one will want to play us, if we get there."

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