McGill grad and former national team player Lapointe joins Martlets volleyball coaching staff

MONTREAL — Marie-Christine Lapointe, a former volleyball all-star at McGill University who played for the Canadian national team, has returned to the Martlets as an assistant coach. The 33-year-old native of St. Jean sur Richelieu, Que., will also be splitting her duties as bench boss of the Martlets developmental squad and as a strength and conditioning technician in the Varsity Office at McGill Athletics and Recreation.
 
A two-time RSEQ conference all-star who played five seasons for McGill, Lapointe began her playing career as a setter during her freshman year in 2009, then was converted to a right-side hitter. She was part of the McGill squad that won bronze at the 2012 national championship in Hamilton, Ont. Lapointe, who did not speak English when she enrolled at McGill, went on to achieve Academic All-Canadian status. She graduated in 2014 with a degree in kinesiology, followed by a physical education degree in 2016.

“I am very pleased to have Marie-Christine rejoin our team,” said McGill head coach Rachèle Béliveau, who recently posted her 700th victory in 33 years at the helm. “She is familiar with the way our program functions and will be a great asset. ‘MC’ comes in with a versatile background after an elite playing career in both indoor and beach volleyball. She loves coaching and is keen to develop as a coach. She understands the academic demands of being a student-athlete at McGill and brings a positive influence to our group.”
 
Lapointe joins a rapidly expanding list of female coaches, currently at 22, within the McGill varsity sports program.

“The strategic hiring of female coaches continues to be a priority within our curriculum,” said Roxane Carrière, manager of the Women in Sport program at McGill Athletics & Recreation. “We believe her presence in the strength and conditioning environment will empower female student-athletes to train more confidently in high-performance training environments, as they will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive direct assistance. Her experience in the field and as a former student-athlete will be extremely beneficial.”

Lapointe played in 38 beach volleyball competitions for Canada from 2016 to 2020, including the 2019 Pan Am Games in Peru. She is one of nine McGill volleyball grads who have participated at various training camps or tournaments with Canadian national team over the past 25 years. That list includes Myriam Robitaille (2017), Kaiva Mateus (2012-2014), Daphnée-Maude André-Morin (2011-12), Jennifer Thompson (2009), Shauna Forster (2002), Elizabeth Jamieson (2002), Marie-Andrée Lessard (1999-2012) and Wendy Whelan (1996-99).

SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
CELL: 514-983-7012
E-MAIL:earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca