DAVID LARKINS, Wesmen Athletics
An unprecedented year put priorities in perspective and a coveted connection to a coach helped convince two of the province’s top talents to stay close to home.
Grace Vallis, a 6-foot-3 middle blocker, and Katya Cisneros, a 6-foot left side, have officially announced their commitment to the UWinnipeg Wesmen women’s volleyball program, the first members of head coach Phil Hudson’s 2022 recruiting class.
In Vallis and Cisneros, the Wesmen have jumped in the recruiting pool and inked two of the top players the province has to offer 10 months in advance of what will be their freshman seasons.
“I’m so excited to go to school and play for my city and play for Phil,” Vallis, a product of Miles Macdonell Collegiate said.
Cisneros is playing out her senior season at St. Mary’s Academy and was previously teammates with Vallis on the 16U Bandits club team.
Neither player has declared a major as of yet, but Vallis said she wants to pursue criminal justice, while Cisneros wants to eventually enter into medicine.
Both players have experience in the Manitoba provincial team program, most recently in 2019. And both players have a link to Hudson, having taken camps with him in previous years where they both said they learned and grew as players, making their decision to choose UWinnipeg an easy one.
“I met Phil in Summer 2019 and I tried to go to any sessions or camps he held from that point on,” Vallis said. “I always learned something, always had fun … and he kept motivating me.”
Cisneros, meanwhile, said a bond with family made staying home the best option and her connection with Hudson made UWinnipeg the right choice among other schools in the region.
“It’s always been a goal of mine to play at the university level, so I’m very excited to be able to do that at U of W,” Cisneros said. “I’ve always been really impressed by Coach Hudson and I really wanted an opportunity to play for him because I know how great of a coach he is, and also the amazing athletes the Wesmen have.”
Vallis’ height is an obvious attraction in a game played above the net, but in Hudson she said she found a coach who saw more in her than just how high she touches.
“Obviously my height is a huge asset, but I think I’m a very positive teammate and I look to uplift teammates,” Vallis said. “It’s not just my skill or athletic ability, I think I have a very good character. I’ve been told that by a lot of coaches and I think that really stands out about me.”
Hudson believes Vallis has the chance to make a quick impact.
“Grace is a tremendous signing for our program,” he said. “She plays the game well above the net. Her size, mobility and lively arm swing will allow her to have instant success at the U Sports level. The ceiling is very high for her and the Wesmen are excited to add her to our women’s volleyball program.”
Both recruits said they prioritized their connection to their home city when making their final decision.
“I’m really excited and proud to stay home and have the home crowd and my family cheer all of us on,” Cisneros said. “I think it’s going to be an amazing experience and I’m very happy to be playing for Coach Hudson.”
Hudson called Cisneros “a very versatile player” who could help in a variety of ways.
“She has experience as a middle and outside attacker, she hits a heavy ball and brings passion and an excellent work ethic,” Hudson said. “She’s a very skilled and well-rounded player who loves to compete and is a fantastic teammate.”
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