“We are going to be in the running” — Veteran Coach Don McKay on His Women’s Volleyball Team for 2023-24

It’s all over but the shoutin’ for St. Thomas Tommies women’s volleyball coach Don McKay.

He hopes to give STU supporters something to shout about.

McKay and his Tommies begin the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association season this weekend, in Moncton to face the Crandall Chargers Saturday and home to host the Mount St. Vincent Mystics of Halifax Sunday at 1pm at the Lady Beaverbrook Gym.

For McKay, it will mark the beginning of his 11th season on the STU sideline.

Turning 71 in December, the reigning ACAA Coach of the Year says it will be his last.

“That’s my plan,” said the genial head coach. “I’ve been at this a long time.”

Indeed, he’s coached lots of teams and lots of sports—and won lots of championships—since 1976.

“I’ve loved every bit of it,” he said. “I still get excited about coming to practice. But my daughter just moved down here; we’ve got grandkids; my wife and I like to travel, so it’s time.”

The Tommies have big shoes this year to fill with the departure of Abby Lanteigne, the player of the year in the ACAA a year ago. The five-foot-seven inch star has switched schools and is taking the year off.

“She was fantastic,” said McKay. “She was great with the younger kids, included everybody, it was fun having her.”

But veteran Andrea Bell returns to anchor the right side, with Kathleen Boyle, second in the conference in kills per set last year, on the left. Fourth-year player Madison Ball, versatile Chloe Little or rookie Amelia Faulkner will also see floor time there. Third-year Megan MacDonald can play anywhere. 

Team captain Maddie MacGregor anchors the middle, with Bell and Ryley Horton, a third-year player out of Calgary. Emma Harris and Elle Kilburn, five-foot-ten and five-foot-eleven, respectively, are also in the middle mix. 

Third years Julia Campbell, Shannon Monro and rookie Jenna Murphy are solid setters. Jasmine Warrington, beginning her second season, is the libero, sharing the job with rookie Brooke Thompson of Fredericton, who must adapt to the speed of play in the ACAA. 

“I think she’ll contribute in the long run,” he said. 

Add it up and the Tommies expect to be in contention, with the Holland College Hurricanes of Charlottetown perhaps looming as the favourite, McKay said. 

The Tommies finished tied for top spot in the standings a year ago with Mount St. Vincent, each 14-4, with Holland close behind at 13-5. Holland claimed their second straight conference title, defeating Mount St. Vincent in the final. The Tommies, battling injury and illness, fell in the semi to the Hurricanes. 

But it’s a new year — McKay’s last. 

“I think we’ll be in the running,” he said.