Women’s Volleyball 2023-24 Season Preview

Mount Royal’s women’s volleyball team will open the season with a pair of games in Vancouver against the UBC Thunderbirds before returning to Kenyon Court for their home opener against the UBCO Heat. Tickets to the October 27 home opener can be purchased online now.

Women’s Volleyball on Canada West TV: 

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 Women’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches Polls: 
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

2022-23 CW Regular Season Record:

2022-23 Post-Season Performance:

• Lost in Canada West Championship to Trinity Western
• 5th place (consolation champions) at U SPORTS Nationals

2023-24 season opener

• October 20, 2023 at UBC Thunderbirds

2023-24 home opener

• October 27, 2023 vs. UBCO Heat

Head Coach / # season / Career CW reg. season record:

• Shane Smith / 3rd season / 35-30

2022-23 CW regular season ranks: Offence 

• 12.71 kills/set, 3rd overall
• .246 hitting %, 2nd overall
• 2.21 service aces/set, 2nd overall

2022-23 CW regular season ranks: Defence 

• 12.89 digs/set, 8th overall

2022-23 CW regular season leaders: Kills (Returning)

2022-23 CW regular season leaders: Assists (Returning)

2022-23 CW regular season leaders: Digs (Returning)

2022-23 CW regular season leaders: Blocks (Returning)

2022-23 CW regular season leaders: Hitting Percentage (Returning)

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):

• Lexi Herrod / Setter / 3 / Winnipeg, MB / Ambrose University Lions
• Megan Jones / OH / 2 / Coquitlam, BC / Douglas College Royals
• Faith Obasi / Middle / 1 / Calgary, AB / Junior Dinos
• Fiona Brown / OH / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Junior Bisons

Key departures (name / position / hometown / years with program):

Key performer: Emma Boyd

Cougars middle blocker Emma Boyd took a huge leap in the 2022-23 season, registering four times as many kills as she had in 2021-22. Boyd will be expected to continue to build off her breakout season as she will be heavily relied upon, both defensively and offensively, in 2023-24. 

With the departure of Nyadholi Thokbuom, Boyd will be tasked to carry the load in the middle alongside her teammate Mya Morgan. The duo was responsible for 30 per cent of the Cougars’ total block last season and will have to elevate their defensive game even further with the departures.

Standing 6-2, Boyd uses her length and power to dominate her opposition but is also a very cognitive player as well. The third-year from Whitehorse, YT., will lead the Cougars into the new season with their eyes set on Canada West gold.

Season Preview

The 2023-24 season will mark a new era for the women’s volleyball team at Mount Royal. Program legends Quinn Pelland, Nyadholi Thokbuom, Haley Roe and Maddy Marshall have moved on to pro ball after incredible careers for the Cougars. However, with their departures, the Cougars have found themselves in a new situation, while still having numerous returners to fill the void that the graduates left. 

MRU possesses strength in the middle positions with the combo of Emma Boyd and Mya Morgan while adding a fresh face in Faith Obasi from the Junior Dinos. 

With Quinn Pelland moving onto the Canadian National Team, the setter position was up for grabs on Mount Royal. Although, the Cougars still hold significant depth in the positions. Sarah McKillican spent the 2022-23 season at libero but can also be relied on in the setter position, alongside incoming recruit Lexi Herrod and second-year Cougar Marie Leggett. The most important position in volleyball is in good hands with the current rotation.

A lineup full of explosive hitters and alert defenders in the outside hitting positions will make the Cougars a nightmare to play. Leading the way for Mount Royal on the outside is veteran Jessica Osczevski. Entering her fifth year with the Cougars, will certainly be relied on by head coach Shane Smith as a leader, on and off the court. Osczevski missed a significant chunk of last season after sustaining an injury in November but returned in the new year without missing a beat. Complementing the rejuvenated Osczevski are emerging stars Sydney Scatcherd and Bronwynn Davies-Neira who are eager for more gameplay and elevated roles.

A deep lineup filled with athleticism and power will hit Kenyon Court on October 27 to start the quest to capture Canada West gold after achieving silver last season.