WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: ROBINSON, A 6-FOOT-2 MIDDLE, TO JOIN LAKERS FOR ’25-26

While their focus is on the 2024-25 OUA season, the Nipissing Lakers women’s volleyball team is already adding pieces for the future.

The Lakers are excited and proud to announce a key signing, as they have added Cassie Robinson, a 6-foot-2 middle who will join the program for the 2025-26 campaign.

Robinson will make her way to the Lakers after wrapping up her career with Defensa volleyball club 18u Purple at the club level, as well as Governor Simcoe Secondary school.

Mainly a middle, Robinson has played on the right side as well and is thrilled to be joining the Lakers.

“I chose Nipissing because of the strongly fostered team culture and because of how well North Bay supports my academic program with its natural resources. I loved meeting the girls and I enjoyed the energy and spirit they had towards each other on and off the court,” she explained. “I think the Enviro. program there is a great fit for me, and I will thrive academically.”

The St. Catherines, ON product will be enrolling in the Environmental Biology and Technology program when she officially starts her time at Nipissing the September of 2025.

Academically, Robinson loves what Nipissing has to offer and athletically, she believes her abilities and skills will help contribute to more team success.

“A few of my strengths on the court are being fast in transition and tactical when attacking because I can run a lot of different routes because I play different positions. I like speeding the game up and playing at a fast pace,” she stated. “I’d say I’m also a very communicative player that plays pretty relaxed and even tempered. I try to be as much of an asset for my team as I can by stepping in to play different positions or helping out in serve receive and defence, even as a middle.”

In terms of what she’s looking forward to an expecting as a newcomer to the program, it’s all about improving both on and off the court and helping the team as much as possible, in any way she can.

“An expectation for myself is to open up as a person to a new team and make new strides in a different academic and athletic environment,” she said. “I am excited to work with the team next season and build new possibilities for the Lakers.”  

Lakers head coach Marc LaRochelle is excited to add another strong recruit to the mix and continue building for the future as the team looks to make strides and keep climbing the OUA standings, as they come off their best-ever finish in 2023-24.

“We are very excited to welcome Cassie to the Lakers family,” LaRochelle said. “Cassie is a physical middle that transitions very well off the net and can run numerous routes. Although primarily a middle Cassie has experience in multiple positions and participates in serve receive making her a very versatile athlete with strong ball control skills. What was also evident from spending time with Cassie was that she would not only be a great fit athletically, but more importantly as a person and will contribute positively to the team culture we have fostered in our program.”