UPEI women’s volleyball team recruits top new players for 2008–2009 season
The University of Prince Edward Island’s women’s Panthers volleyball team will feature two new up-and-coming athletes in the 2008–2009 season.
Coach Lynn Boudreau is thrilled that she successfully recruited Lena Pitsanuk, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Olivia Dolphin, of Elmwood, Prince Edward Island, for the team.
Pitsanuk plays volleyball for Dakota Collegiate where she is also a scholar-athlete. In the 2006–2007 school year, the Dakota High team reached the provincial quarterfinals, and in 2007–2008, they made it to the semifinals. She is involved in Youth in Philanthropy and Youth in Action, and is a member of her class’s graduation committee. A well-rounded athlete, she has also played basketball, badminton, baseball and team handball, and coached and refereed grade seven and eight volleyball.
Phil Hudson, a teacher and coach at Dakota Collegiate, had this to say: "Lena has been one of the most improved players in Manitoba over the past couple of years. This is directly related to her work ethic and strong determination to always do her best."
Pitsanuk commented, "I am extremely excited to become part of the volleyball family at UPEI. I am really looking forward to working with Coach Boudreau, and I know I will learn so much from her experiences as a player in the AUS. The school is the right size for me, and the Faculty of Science will challenge me academically. I look forward to my upcoming adventures moving from Winnipeg to Charlottetown. Go, Panthers!"
Dolphin plays volleyball for Bluefield, and won gold with her team at the Prince Edward Island Volleyball Provincials the past three years. She played for East Wiltshire and on the Red Mud Spring league. She is a member of the Canada Games training team, the PEI Elite team and the National Training Team which plays in a national tournament each year. Her awards include senior athlete of the year for Volleyball PEI 2007, Prince Edward Island High School MVP in the 2007 provincial championship, and first-team PEISAA Volleyball All-Star in 2006 and 2007.
“I'm looking forward to attending UPEI in September and am enthusiastic about becoming a Panther,” says Dolphin. “I can't wait to begin playing with the UPEI volleyball team in the fall and am excited by the fact that I will be staying in my home province.”
Coach Boudreau is pleased with both players making UPEI their destination next fall.
“Pitsanuk is a big middle block with loads of experience at a high level. She will step into our program and make an instant impact. This past spring she travelled to the US with her team to compete against the top teams in the mid-west,” said Boudreau.
“The key to being competitive in the AUS is keeping the best players in your province at home, and with Dolphin coming to UPEI next year, it is a step in the right direction,” she said. “Olivia knows what it takes to win after pursuing gold the last three years in the PEI High School League. She has a great vertical and court awareness. Olivia will be a building block in our program.”
With returning key players, including fifth-year power Rebecca Gallant, and the new players, Boudreau is excited about the year to come.
For information, contact Boudreau at (902) 566-0991 or lboudreau@upei.ca. Visit http://upei.ca/athletics for all your updates on Panther Sport.
