MRU reps ‘strike’ gold for Team Alberta

The Cougar’s volleyball teams are geared up for another season and another shot at owning the Crowchild classic in 2013.

Three members of the women’s team have had a busy summer. Three Cougars represented Team Alberta at the 2013 Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Coach Sandra Lamb, Carolyn O’Dwyer and Kylie Willis all came home with the gold after edging out team British Colombia three sets to two. The women open the season with two Crowchild Classic clashes at home on the Kenyon Court Oct. 25th, and at the University of Calgary on Oct. 26th.

Volleyballers look to build after their first season in the Canada West division. Photo courtesy: Mount Royal University Athletics

The women had a promising 2012-2013 season finishing 5th place in a very talented and competitive league. Look for the women to improve even more under Lamb’s leadership and place even higher this season.

The Men’s Volleyball Team lead by coach Shawn Sky, look to improve on a season in which they finished in middle of the pack in 9th place. The men also begin the season in a back-to-back home and away showdowns against their cross town rivals the U of C Dinos.

If the men’s squad wants to place higher this season, a lot of hope rests on the shoulders of Colton De Man. De Man, who was crowned Cougar male athlete of the year, is the star player for the Cougars and represented team Canada at the FISU Universtity Championships this summer.

“The level of play was a big jump up from the CIS. The physicality of the athletes made me realize I have a long road ahead of me in becoming a top player at that level.” De Man said. “The number of unforced errors is significantly less at the international level, and the consistency of every contact is crucial to winning games.

“When I first made the team in May, there was definitely an adjustment period in a few areas. The pace of the ball when serving and attacking is a lot faster, which leaves you with almost no reaction time.”

He added “First contact is a lot more crisp and consistent. An important point I learned this summer is to simplify every movement to be more efficient with less work”.

The Cougars trust De Man can bring his international experience to the Kenyon Court this season and propel the Cougars up the standings.

Alberta cleaned up at the Canada Games in Sheerbrook, Quebec as the men went undefeated on route to the Gold medal. Cougar Coach Jon Goldie and right side hitter Jordan Parker represented MRU on the Alberta team. Goldie stated, “We started the tournament slowly, but got better in every match. It was great to win the gold medal in front of such a loud pro-Quebec crowd by playing our best match of the tournament. We really peaked at the end, winning both the semi and the final 3-0.”Jordan Or of the Cougars also represented the bronze medal winning Team British Columbia who Alberta beat in the semi-finals. Volleyball is huge at MRU and so is the H.I.I.T or High Impact Technical Training program that is being offered Saturday September 7th at MRU. A collection of the best coaches in Alberta, including MRU ‘s Shawn Sky and Sandra Lamb offer their knowledge to potential and current volleyball coaches at all levels of experience.