By: Shannon Blackmore, BA'19
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The St. Thomas University Tommies women's volleyball team will rely on its versatility this year as they work toward the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association Championships that will be hosted at home in February.

"We use the players out of their regular positions on different occasions for the strategies that we run. Several of them play more than one position," Tommies head coach Don McKay said.

"We're very versatile, almost all our players can perform well in different positions and we encourage that. If someone goes down with an injury there will always be someone who can step in." 

With six rookies entering the lineup this season and five second-year players with prior experience with the Tommies, most of the roster is made up of newcomers. Additions to this year's roster are Annie Young, Martha Seaman, Cloee Daigle, Madison Lyons, Jenicca Jean, and Krysteena Clements.

"Annie and Maddison are both from the Fredericton area and played for Leo Hayes High School.  Annie is a libero—defensive specialist—but can also set and if one of our setters is out she will fill that role. Maddison played middle in the past, but we are using her on the left and right side," McKay said.

"We also have Martha, from Hampton, and Jenicca, from Nackawic, who play left side. Their hitting and serving accuracy is their strength. Middles Cloee Daigle, of Saint-Louis-de-Kent, and Krysteena Clements, of Weymouth, NS, both add height in the front."

In addition to the new recruits, second-year players Lauren MacDonald, Hannah Millier, Megan Mills, Olivia Ormond, and Allison Roy are ready to take on the season. Libero Anica Paul is red-shirting this year, while Mija MacDonald, of Barrie, ON, will return after a one-year absence to help solidify the defense.

Leading this year's charge will be fifth-year left side player Deidra Jones and fourth-year setter Veronique McGrath.

"It's early in the year, but we are ahead of where we have been in my previous four years. We are definitely much stronger than we have ever been," McKay said.

"We have a lot more height in the front this year compared to past and defensively we are much stronger as our athletes are adjusting to different types of defensive formations."

Although the Tommies struggled last season in the increasingly competitive conference, McKay's outlook for this year is promising.

"The players are so enjoyable to coach and be around. They work hard and are dedicated in the classroom and on the court which will make for a pretty good year," he said.

The Tommies begin the regular season Saturday, October 28 when they host Mount Allison University. First serve is at 2:00pm.