Leo Hayes Lions volleyballers Hannah Millier and Megan Mills are crossing the river next year to join the St. Thomas University Tommies.

The Lions teammates will be bringing winning backgrounds with them—they've both won multiple provincial championships as part of the Tommies Club program and claimed back-to-back New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association women's volleyball titles with Leo Hayes.

Millier, who can play middle or left side, has a strong skillset that Tommies head coach Don McKay is pleased to be adding to his roster.

"Hannah has a great attitude, good instincts for the ball, loves the sport, and loves to work and play hard," he said. "I look forward to watching her develop in our program over the next few years."

Millier is also a capable leader. She was named captain of her U15 and U16 teams and was co-captain of the gold-medal winning U18 Tommies Club as well as her U17 Volleyball New Brunswick team. 

"I'm thrilled to have a leader like Hannah join the Tommies program," McKay said. "She's the ideal model of someone a coach would want to recruit."

Mills, a five-foot ten-inch left side hitter, has been an integral part of every team she's played for, including the Volleyball New Brunswick U15 and U16 teams.

She was named the Leo Hayes team MVP in 2013, the Tommies U16 Club MVP in 2014, and earned the Leo Hayes team Unsung Hero award in 2015. 

McKay is hoping Mills will help fill the gap left by graduating player Laura MacDonald, who led the team in service aces, was second in digs, and fourth in kills per set this season.

"Megan can provide blocking and hitting down the line or cross court, and will make a strong bid to replace Laura," he said. "She adds height and experience, especially in big games, and can play any front row position. She'll be a strong player in our league."

The Leo Hayes grads are the latest additions from the Fredericton area to commit to the Tommies, as they are joined by Olivia Ormond of Oromocto in the 2016-17 recruiting class.