Women’s Volleyball:
At the midway point of the 2024-25 season, the Mount Royal Cougars women’s volleyball team is holding steady in a playoff spot, sitting 8th in Canada West with a 5-5 record. Under the new leadership of head coach Rhonda Schmuland, the Cougars have shown resilience and promise in a competitive league.
A key storyline this season has been Sydney Scatcherd’s emergence as a standout player. Following the graduation of Jessica Osczevski, Scatcherd has stepped up in a big way, ranking 15th in Canada West with 3.3 kills per set, providing consistent offensive firepower.
The Cougars’ balanced attack is complemented by Lexi Herrod, who is 8th in assists per set with 9.09, efficiently distributing the ball across the lineup. Defensively, Mya Morgan has been a dominant presence at the net, ranking 5th in Canada West with 1.05 blocks per set. Emma Boyd has also excelled on serve, sitting 2nd in the league with 0.61 aces per set, adding a crucial edge to the team’s game.
The Cougars return to action on January 9th, hosting Brandon for a school day game at 11 a.m. They’ll look to build on their solid start as they push to solidify their playoff position.
Men’s Volleyball:
At the midway point of the 2024-25 season, the Mount Royal Cougars men’s volleyball team finds itself in a rebuilding phase, currently sitting 12th in Canada West with a 2-8 record. While the playoffs seem out of reach for now, the Cougars are focused on development and growth in what has been a transitional year following the graduation of seven seniors. With a new Canada West Playoff format, the team will just need to finish in the top 10 to make it.
The young roster has shown flashes of potential, bolstered by the international experience of Ryan John, Grant Hill, and Cody Hudson, who represented Canada’s U21 team last summer. Their time on the national stage has helped accelerate their growth and provided leadership to an inexperienced squad.
Individually, the trio has been key contributors. Ryan John ranks 25th in Canada West with 2.33 kills per set, showcasing his offensive skills. Grant Hill has been a steady presence as a setter, ranking 8th in assists per set with 7.61. Cody Hudson has made an impact defensively, sitting 17th in blocks per set with 0.77.
The Cougars will return to action on January 9th, hosting Brandon for a school day game starting at 1 p.m. The matchup will offer an opportunity for the team to continue building confidence as they look to close the season on a positive note.