University of Regina women’s volleyball head coach
Melanie Sanford announced Friday that four players have committed to the Cougars for the 2010-11 season.
The list of recruits is topped by 6’0” middle Michelle Sweeting, who led Maryfield School to a provincial 1A silver medal last season. Sweeting also has extensive club experience with the Rocanville Brash and was named the Women’s Under-17 Athlete of the Year by the Saskatchewan Volleyball Association.
“Michelle is a very dynamic athlete that loves the sport,” Sanford said. “Her attacking and blocking abilities will add depth to our middle position and combined with her academic abilities, Michelle possesses ideal qualities to join our program.”
Kylee Johner, a six-footer that can play in the middle or on the outside, will join the U of R from Moose Jaw’s Peacock Collegiate. Johner, who was a teammate of current Cougar Jaclyn Johnson at Peacock, played with the Cougar Volleyball Club and will enter the Police Studies program.
“Kylee is a gifted, powerful athlete that has the ability to play several positions,” Sanford said. “She has high aspirations for her athletic career and her well-rounded game and attacking abilities will be a great asset for our team.”
Talayna Tremblay, a 6’0” setter and another product of Peacock Collegiate, transfers to the U of R following a season with the Medicine Hat College Rattlers. Tremblay won four high school city championships with the Tornadoes, was twice named the school’s Athlete of the Year, and served as the team captain for two seasons.
“Talayna is an outstanding athlete and an excellent student,” Sanford said. “She comes here with an additional season of experience at the college level and she’ll have an immediate impact on the team.”
Chelsea Ziolkowski, who helped Weyburn Comprehensive to a provincial 5A high school championship in 2008, is a 6’0” outside hitter with three Saskatchewan club championships in the past four years. Ziolkowski will study in the Faculty of Kinesiology & Health Studies.
“Chelsea is an outstanding defender and passer, and combined with her jumping and attacking repertoire she has the athletic ability to achieve great things on the court,” Sanford said. “We look forward to her development with the Cougars.”
The Cougars, who placed fifth at the CIS Championship in March, will leave Monday for a 10-day trip to Japan. The players will train with teams from the Japan Women’s College of Physical Education, Aoyama Gakuin University, and the University of Tokyo.
2010 University of Regina Women’s Volleyball Recruiting Class
MB/OH Kylee Johner (6-0, 1st) – Moose Jaw, Sask. – Albert E. Peacock Collegiate
MB Michelle Sweeting (6-0, 1st) – Maryfield, Sask. – Maryfield School
S Talayna Tremblay (6-0, 2nd) – Moose Jaw, Sask. – Medicine Hat College
OH Chelsea Ziolkowski (6-0, 1st) – Weyburn, Sask. – Weyburn Comprehensive