WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: LAKERS STRENGTHEN THE MIDDLE WITH ADDITION OF GRAHAM

The Nipissing Lakers women’s volleyball team has centered their attention on the middle with their latest addition.

The Lakers are excited and proud to announce the signing of Brooke Graham, a middle from Ottawa, ON who will join the program for the 2023-24 OUA season.

Graham makes her way to Nipissing after playing club for the Ottawa Maverick Volleyball Club, as well as St. Peter Catholic High School, based in Orleans, ON.

“I am ready to take the next step in my volleyball career and to play at the post-secondary level. I commit to giving 100 per cent and being open to constructive feedback from coaches and teammates,” she said, looking ahead to her time with the Lakers. “I am excited to learn and play next year, to see how I will work with the team and what we can all accomplish together.”

Graham will be studying psychology at Nipissing when school begins next year.

With a successful career at both the club and high school level, Graham is confident she can help the Lakers continue their climb up the OUA standings and be part of a program that remains trending in the right direction.

“One of my strengths as a player is being able to read the setter to know where the ball is going to be set. This helps me to block effectively,” she explained. “I am also a positive team player, who remains calm and focused during games and stressful situations and strives to encourage my teammates.”

Lakers head coach Marc LaRochelle believes Graham’s training and time with the Maverick Volleyball Club will help her transition to the Lakers.

“We are very happy to welcome Brooke to the Lakers family,” LaRochelle, the veteran coach, said. “It was evident from the start that Brooke would be a great fit with our program both on the court and within our team culture. Brooke is a solid blocker and can terminate with velocity. Brooke has developed a solid foundation under coach Spack and I look forward to working with Brooke in reaching her future goals.”

The decision to join the Lakers and enroll at Nipissing was a pretty easy one for Graham after discussions with the coaching staff, as well as her visit.

She said the warm welcome meant a lot to her.

“I chose Nipissing because I really like the coaching philosophy and style, as well as the warm and welcoming atmosphere from the players,” She said. “A few of the players really went out of their way to spend a lot of time with me during my first visit and show me around. I truly appreciated that and it helped me in my decision making.”