Three-time defending Quigley Cup champions retool for 2024-25

The Brock Badgers women’s volleyball team has signed four recruits for the upcoming 2024-25 season in an announcement made on Tuesday, June 25. 

Joining the three-time defending Ontario University Athletics (OUA) champions will be Avery Duncan, Kaiya Greydanus, Sera Leung and Charlotte Ross. 

“Our recruiting class this year has a bit of everything that we needed,” said head coach Steve Delaney. “There’s a lot of upside with what we brought in. We believe they are going to mesh well with our ‘we before me’ culture because they are all good people as well as great athletes.” 

Duncan will be joining the Badgers this season from the other side of the country having played her high school and club volleyball in Vancouver, BC.  

“Avery is a dynamic hitter with a really good block that will also help with the serve receive,” Delaney said.

The 5-11 left side most recently competed for the North Vancouver-based BCO Volleyball Club, winning a bronze medal at the Under-18 BC Volleyball Championships. Before that, she suited up for the Vancouver Thunder Volleyball Club for seven seasons. 

At the high school level with York House, Duncan won a AA provincial championship and was named Most Outstanding Player in her senior season.  

“I felt myself truly committing to wanting to be a part of the Badgers women’s volleyball team after watching a few of their games,” Duncan said. “Their intensity, energy and trust in each other were evident through the screen, and I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of.”  

Duncan is set to study Criminology in the fall.  

The women’s volleyball team added more depth in the outside pins with the addition of Greydanus, a 5-9 left side, who plans to study Kinesiology at Brock. 

“Kaiya is a really unique athlete, who has a great career ahead of her,” Delaney said. 

A member of the Twin Bridges Volleyball Club, the Wyoming, Ont native has also showcased her athletic ability in multiple other sports, participating on the soccer and track and field teams at Lambton Central Collegiate Vocational Institute in Sarnia. 

“I’m excited about the amazing atmosphere I felt once I stepped into the gym at Brock,” Greydanus said. “I’m looking forward to creating relationships with my new teammates.” 

Looking to boost the important setter position, Delaney signed Leung who brings experience from both the Scarborough Titans and Durham Attack volleyball clubs. 

“We’re excited to see what she can do as we get her into our offensive system,” Delaney said. 

With Dunbarton High School, the 5-11 setter won two conference titles and a silver medal at the 2023 Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) AAA Championship.   

“I enjoyed seeing the campus. It has great resources and the program I want to study,” Leung said. “I look forward to training with my new team as I think it will help me develop not only as a player but as a person.” 

The Whitby, Ont product plans to study Social Science at the University in the fall.

Rounding out the class is Ross; a local 6-2 middle from St. Catharines, who is set to enroll in Child and Youth Studies.  

“With her block, Charlotte is going to be a force right away in the middle,” Delaney said.  

After playing with the Niagara Rapids for four seasons, Ross played for the Smash Raiders to conclude her club volleyball career where she was named a 2024 U18 Grand Prix All-Star. Ross was also selected to be a member of Team Ontario Elite this past season.  

“What intrigued me most about playing for Brock was the amazing coaching staff and competitive and welcoming environment,” Ross said. “I chose to go here because it’s close to home and it’s a beautiful campus.” 

Stay tuned to gobadgers.ca for the women’s volleyball schedule when it becomes available as the Badgers have their eyes on a fourth consecutive provincial title during the 2024-25 season.