Pandas VB ranked fourth in pre-season coaches poll

It will be a season of firsts for the rebuilt Pandas Volleyball team; Six first-year Pandas and a new head coach highlight the story lines for the seven-time national champions. 

Coming off a down season, which saw them miss the post-season with a 10-14 record, the Pandas brought in a talented group of recruits, with five rookie Pandas having Junior National Team experience. 

11 of the 16 Pandas are in their first or second year of eligibility, with only two Pandas in their fourth or fifth years of eligibility. The rebuilding Pandas enter conference play coming off a terrific pre-season schedule, winning six of their seven matches. 

Friday night will also mark the first conference game for Pandas head coach Carolyn O’Dwyer, who took over from Laurie Eisler on September 1st. Eisler moved into managerial role with the Pandas. 

Fans can catch all the action through the new look CanadaWest.TV, which now allows fans to watch games on popular Connected TV apps like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV.

2023/24 CW WVB PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Team – Points (First-place votes)

1. Fraser Valley Cascades – 153 (4)
2. Manitoba Bisons – 143 (3)
3. UBC Thunderbirds – 141 (3)
4. Alberta Pandas – 137 (3)
5. Trinity Western Spartans – 116 (1)
6. UBCO Heat – 112
7. Calgary Dinos – 103
8. Thompson Rivers WolfPack – 79
9. Mount Royal Cougars – 78
10. Saskatchewan Huskies – 74
11. Winnipeg Wesmen – 59
12. MacEwan Griffins – 39
13. Regina Cougars – 27
14. Brandon Bobcats – 13

ALBERTA PANDAS SEASON PREVIEW

2022/23 CW regular season record: /10-14/, 10th
2022/23 post-season record: DNQ
Head Coach: Carolyn O’Dwyer, 1st Season
 
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2016-17 / 18
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 2006-07 / 7
 
2022/23 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 15.4 points per set, 8th
Defence: 2.37 blocks per set, 1st
 
2022/23 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Kills: 333 – Lauryn Tremblay, Outside Hitter
Assists: 707 – Justine Kolody, Setter
Digs: 220 – Kalysta Knappett, Libero
Blocks: 104 – Allie Moore, Middle
Hitting percentage: .368 – Allie Moore, Middle
 
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Ronnie Dickson / Middle / 1st year / Edmonton, AB / Pandas Volleyball Club
Abby Guezen / Outside / 1st year / Sherwood Park, AB / Pandas Volleyball Club
 
Key performer
Lauryn Tremblay
Outside
5th Year
St. Albert, AB
 
2022/23 Stats: 333 kills, 24 aces, 197 digs, 51 blocks
 
On a rebuilding team featuring a new head coach and seven first-year Pandas, a large work load will fall to the veteran student-athletes, especially fifth-year outside Lauryn Tremblay.

The second team CW All-Star finished third in Canada West with 333 kills and 3.7 kills per set a year ago, and will once again see a healthy dose of attempts for the Pandas this season.