YEARBOOK
YORK LIONS 2013 - 2014
M O W
L L A B Y E LL
O V S ’ N E BOOK YEAR
yorkulions.ca
THE COACHES NICK TRAN – HEAD COACH Nick Tran took over as head coach of the York women’s volleyball team in 2009 after two years as an assistant. He earned his first OUA coach of the year award in 201112 after leading the Lions to a 16-2 mark in the regular season, a first-place standing in the conference and a national ranking of No. 8. He has also overseen the program’s rise to one of the best in the OUA and a high of No. 4 in the CIS rankings. Tran was the recipient of the Ontario Volleyball Association Coach of the Year award in 2005 and he also runs a successful Vipers volleyball club in Toronto. Previously, he was an assistant coach for the provincial team and an assistant coach for the gold-medal winning Region 5 team at the provincial championship. Tran was a member of the coaching staff for the 2009 Canada Games Provincial Team that competed in P.E.I. at the Canada Games. A strong supporter of Athlete Development programs, he has been involved with the Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) development programs for the past 10 years in several different capacities and is currently the Chair of one of the OVA’s Long-Term Athlete Development committees looking at the Learning to Compete Stage and the Training to Compete Stage. In addition to his coaching duties, Tran is the principal of Bloordale Middle School. Prior to becoming principal, Tran taught Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to middle school students where he was a co-recipient, along with Ben Tran, of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence: Certificate of Achievement.
BEN TRAN - ASSOCIATE COACH Ben Tran joined the Lions women’s volleyball team in 2008 as an assistant coach and helped guide the team to its first provincial championship in 12 years in 2009. He began his coaching experience with the Scarborough Solars club team and has since moved on to running the Vipers club program he cofounded. He has successfully developed several programs with the Vipers, including leading a team to the Canadian National East Championship title in 2005. Tran is also the principal of Hilltop Middle School.
SARAH SUTTON – ASSISTANT COACH Sarah Sutton joined the Lions women’s volleyball coaching staff in 2011 after a stellar five-year career with the program. She was the captain in each of her final two seasons, won the OUA championship in 2009 and was a three-time OUA all-star (2008, 2010-11) while with the team.
MATT HOEY – ASSISTANT COACH Matt Hoey has been an assistant coach with the Lions women’s volleyball team since 2012. He began his coaching career with South County, where he had immediate success medaling in the top tier at the provincial championship. Following that stint, he moved on to the Forest City, National Capital and Ottawa Fusion Volleyball Clubs, and while with National Capital he helped guide the under-17 team to a fourth-place finish at the national championships. He has also previously spent one season as the assistant coach and strength coach for the University of Waterloo women’s volleyball team, and spent time with the Ontario Summer Games Region 3 and Region 6 teams. Away from volleyball, Hoey also heads one of the largest marine insurance companies in Ontario.
SCHEDULE & STATS 2013-14 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE Date Opponent TIME Fri. Oct. 18 vs. Guelph 6pm Sat. Oct. 19 vs. Waterloo 6pm Sat. Oct. 26 at Ryerson 6pm Sun. Oct. 27 at Toronto 1pm Sun. Nov. 3 vs. Ottawa 2pm Fri. Nov. 8 at Queen’s 6pm Sat. Nov. 9 at RMC 6pm Sat. Nov. 16 at Nipissing 2pm Sat. Nov. 23 at Ottawa 2pm Sun. Nov. 24 vs. McMaster 4pm Sat. Jan. 11 vs. Ryerson 12pm Sun. Jan. 12 vs. Toronto 2pm Sat. Jan. 18 at Brock 2pm Sat. Jan. 25 vs. RMC 2pm Sun. Jan. 26 vs. Queen’s 2pm Sat. Feb. 1 at Western 6pm Sun. Feb. 2 at Windsor 1pm Fri. Feb. 7 at Lakehead 7pm Sun. Feb. 9 vs. Nipissing 4pm 2012-13 RESULTS Date Opponent Fri. Oct. 19 vs. Lakehead Sat. Oct. 20 at McMaster Fri. Oct. 26 vs. RMC Sat. Oct. 27 vs. Queen’s Sat. Nov. 10 at Toronto Sun. Nov. 11 at Ryerson Sun. Nov. 18 vs. Guelph Sun. Nov. 25 at Ottawa Fri. Jan. 11 vs. Ryerson Sat. Jan. 12 vs. Toronto Fri. Jan. 18 at Guelph Sat. Jan. 19 at Waterloo Fri. Jan. 25 vs. Windsor Sat. Jan. 26 vs. Western Sat. Feb. 2 at Queen’s Sun. Feb. 3 at RMC Sun. Feb. 10 vs. McMaster Mon. Feb. 11 at Brock Sat. Feb. 16 vs. Lakehead Fri. Feb. 22 vs. Toronto Sat. Feb. 23 vs. Ottawa
Result W 3-1 W 3-0 W 3-0 W 3-0 W 3-0 W 3-0 W 3-0 W 3-2 W 3-0 W 3-2 L 3-1 W 3-0 W 3-1 W 3-1 W 3-2 W 3-0 W 3-2 W 3-0 W 3-0 * W 3-0 # L 3-2 ^
* OUA Quarter-final # OUA Semifinal at Final Four Championships ^ OUA Gold Medal Game at Final Four Championships
Final regular-season record: 17-1 Final playoff record: 2-1 OUA SILVER MEDALLISTS
Lisa Pall - Head Student Therapist Matthew Di Nardo - Assistant Student Therapist
COACH’S SEASON OUTLOOK The stage is set for the York University Lions women’s volleyball team to make another run at provincial glory this season. The Lions have been the preeminent team in the OUA over the past two years, winning more regular-season games than any other team with a 33-3 mark in that stretch. The squad has also made itself known nationally with a consistent appearance in the CIS rankings, including in 12 of 14 weeks last year and a high of No. 4. The Lions came within two points of an OUA title last season, falling 15-13 in the championship final after a 17-1 regular season, and the coaching staff and players have set their sights squarely on taking the next step. “We have some very high expectations for the team this year,” said head coach Nick Tran, the OUA’s coach of the year in 2012. “We expect to compete for top spot in the conference and the championship banner, and we are confident we have all the pieces to make a solid run.” Those pieces include a veteran group of players that make up arguably the most talented starting line-up in the conference. The Lions will field their most senior team in years, with five of the starters in their fourth or fifth year and three of them, Brandie Wilkerson, Melissa Humana-Paredes and Michelle Pierce, all returning after all-star seasons last year. Wilkerson, a two-time CIS all-Canadian and three-time OUA all-star in her first three years with the program, controls the right side and is a dynamic outside hitter, finishing among the OUA’s top three in scoring every season she has been in the league. Humana-Paredes, meanwhile, patrols the left side and is the most versatile player in the conference. Two years ago she was in the OUA’s top eight in scoring and digs – earning CIS all-Canadian honours in the process – and last year she was again in the top seven in digs while finishing 30th in scoring. Between them is Pierce, a premier middle blocker in the conference who led the OUA in blocks last year and was seventh overall in scoring. Behind the trio is an impressive supporting cast that includes libero Jennifer Black, who was second in the OUA in digs per set two seasons ago and last year spent time at both libero and left side, and new faces in fourth-year middle Brittney Hopley, second-year setter Kirsten Dillon and rookie outside hitter Aleks Arsovic.
Hopley is an explosive middle blocker who transferred to York last year after two seasons with the Laurier Golden Hawks and one at California State University of Bakersfield, while Arsovic is new to the OUA but brings with her plenty of experience on the beach, including competing at the national championships this past summer. She will provide the team with stability on the left side and will be counted on to make an immediate impact on the court. The player that will make it all run is Dillon, who saw limited playing time as a rookie last year while mostly learning how to run an offence at the CIS level. She was highly recruited out of British Columbia prior to joining the Lions and the coaches believe she will be one of the best setters in the OUA in the years to come. In order to prepare for the big matches the coaches believe lie ahead at the end of this year, the squad took pre-season trips to Montreal and Vancouver. In the process, the Lions played games against four of the top five nationally-ranked programs heading into the season in No. 1 UBC, No. 2 Trinity Western, No. 3 Montreal and No. 5 UBC Okanagan. Tran expects the lessons learned on those trips, both on and off the court, to pay huge dividends as the year progresses. “Our pre-season really brought the team closer and helped us believe in ourselves. Despite not being able to play any of our nonconference matches with our starting line-up because of injuries and beach commitments, our team has performed extremely well. We have been able to compete against some of the top programs in the country. “The BC trip helped our team understand what it takes to win the big game. Hopefully we can continue to build on this understanding to continue to develop into an extremely tough team to compete against, both physically and mentally.” York has won more OUA women’s volleyball championships than any other program in the conference and the Lions, who already hold a national ranking heading into the season, are well-positioned to win their first OUA banner since 2009.
THE PLAYERS A huge presence at the net both offensively and defensively … Is a strong defensive-minded player … Has showed tremendous poise during training camp and pre-season … Will see significant playing time as a rookie … Reached the quarter-finals at the under-21 beach volleyball championships this past summer … A member of the Team Ontario beach volleyball program … Captain of the under-18 Lakeside volleyball club that won the provincial gold medal … Won back-to-back Halton championships with high school team.
15
Appeared in eight matches last year and finished fourth on the team with 0.35 blocks per set … Provides depth at the middle position … Is extremely athletic and aggressive at the net … Won a provincial silver medal in 2010 with club team … Won high school MVP awards in four sports (volleyball, basketball, soccer and tennis).
3
OH • 6’0 • 1st Year
M • 5’10 • 4th Year
Aleks
Beata
Kinesiology & Health Science Burlington, Ont. Notre Dame Roman C.S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Scarborough, Ont. George S. Henry Academy
ARSOVIC
LIB • 5’9 • 4th Year
Year 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Total
GP 5 56 51 112
K 1 2 33 36
A 0 7 3 10
D 2 253 145 400
B 0 0 2.5 2.5
SA 1 0 4 5
PTS 2 2 39 43
6
LIB • 5’8 • 2nd Year
Carley
Kinesiology & Health Science London, Ont. Saunders S.S.
Health Studies Delta, B.C. Seaquam H.S.
BLACK
Kirsten
DILLON Kinesiology & Health Science Surrey, B.C. Matheson S.S.
A 0 1 3 4
D 2 9 9 20
B 4 24 7 35
SA 3 9 2 14
PTS 10 47 16 73
Year GP 2012-13 48 Total 48
K 0 0
A 9 9
D 181 181
B 0 0
SA PTS 0 0 0 0
FLEMMER
Takes over the starting setter job this season after learning behind Tisha Rouse last year … Appeared in just five matches as a rookie … Has soft hands and a huge presence at the net … Won silver and bronze medals at the provincial championships and gold and silver medals at nationals with club team … Won a bronze medal at Western Elite championships with BC provincial team ... Brother, Brenden, is a professional hockey player in the Dallas Stars organization. S • 5’9 • 2nd Year
K 4 22 7 33
Appeared in 15 matches as a rookie libero last year … Led the Lions and was fifth in the OUA with 3.77 digs per set … Is fearless and quick … Has a calming presence on the court … Won back-to-back BC provincial championships with club team and a national silver medal in 2011 … Won the gold medal in the girls AAA division at the 2011 high school provincial championships, where she was named a tournament all-star.
Jennifer
4
GP 8 24 20 52
DYE
Appeared in all 18 matches as both a libero and left side … Ranked third on the team with 2.84 digs per set, and the previous year was second in the OUA with 4.52 digs per set while playing exclusively at libero … A strong defensive player … Is very aggressive on the court and has no fear … Won back-to-back WOSSA championships in high school.
12
Year 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Total
Year GP 2012-13 11 Total 11
K 0 0
A D 29 9 29 9
B 0 0
SA PTS 0 0 0 0
Has a great work ethic and is committed to getting better … A very strong team player … Former captain of high school volleyball team and earned team MVP honours … Won the GBSSA gold medal in 2011 and qualified for the OFSAA championships.
16
S • 5’7 • 1st Year
Samantha
GRAINER Cognitive Science Barrie, Ont. Eastview S.S.
THE PLAYERS M • 5’8 • 4th Year
Appeared in all 36 regular-season matches as a middle blocker over the last two seasons … Tied for 14th in the OUA in service aces … Was third on the team in blocks per game (0.46) and fourth in scoring (2.15 points per set) … A very athletic, fast player … Has a great vertical jump … Won ROPSSAA championship with high school team.
Returns to the team after previously playing from 2010-12 … Appeared in 21 matches over two seasons as a back-up setter … Won high school’s junior female athlete of the year award in 2008 and senior athlete of the year award in 2010 … Two-time volleyball team MVP … Won the silver medal in the AAAA division at the 2010 OFSAA championships.
Year 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Total
Year 2010-11 2011-12 Total
GP 35 54 61 89
K 28 87 79 115
A 5 25 16 30
D 22 39 54 61
B 30 41 28 71
SA 10 34 24 44
PTS 53 149 131 333
5
S • 5’5 • 3rd Year
Sheraine
Tory
Kinesiology & Health Science Oakville, Ont. John Fraser S.S.
Psychology Georgetown, Ont. Georgetown District H.S.
HENRY
Year GP 2012-13 36 Total 36
K 81 81
A 4 4
D 25 25
1
OH • 6’0 • 3rd Year
Brittney
Melissa
Law & Society Thornhill, Ont. Thornlea S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Guelph, Ont. E.S. Georges-P.-Vanier
HOPLEY
Communication Studies Toronto, Ont. Humberside C.I.
A 135 9 144
D 28 6 34
B 2.5 0 2.5
SA 1 0 1
PTS 6 0 6
Earned a starting spot in the line-up after learning from the bench in first season … Appeared in 17 matches and 57 sets on the left side … Ranked fourth on the team in digs per set (2.23) and service aces, and was fifth in scoring (1.73) … Has a great vertical jump and a strong spike … Won back-to-back HWDB and SOSSA gold medals with high school team in 2008 and 2009.
B SA PTS 29 20 128 (with Laurier) 29 20 128
M • 6’0 • 4th Year
Melissa HUMANA-PAREDES
K 3 0 3
McCRACKEN
Red-shirted last season after transferring from California State University of Bakersfield … Also previously played for the Laurier Golden Hawks, where she led the team in scoring in 2010-11 … A four-time high school volleyball team MVP and three-time track and field MVP, where she was a high jumper.
OH • 5’9 • 4th Year
GP 48 10 58
Year 2011-12 2012-13 Total
GP 5 57 62
K 1 66 67
A 0 3 3
D 0 127 127
B 0 13.5 13.5
SA 0 19 19
PTS 1 98 99
MONKHOUSE
Earned OUA first-team all-star honours for the second straight year … Was a CIS second-team all-Canadian in 2012 … Last year finished seventh in the OUA with 3.71 digs per set, the only player in the top 10 that was not a libero … Alongside the University of Manitoba’s Taylor Pischke in 2013, won the bronze medal at the under-23 world beach volleyball championship, won gold and silver medals at NORCECA events and was fourth at the FISU Games … Earned the Ontario team of the year award in 2011 along with beach partner Victoria Altomare … Has previously won provincial and national beach volleyball championships. Year 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Total
GP 72 59 63 194
K 20 158 147 325
A 4 8 10 22
D 220 252 234 706
B 5 14 8 27
SA 6 46 32 84
PTS 28 210 187 425
Has a good vertical jump … Is very new to the game of volleyball but has lots of potential … Will use this year to develop her skills and become more well-rounded … Won the TDCAA gold medal with high school team in 2012.
6
OH • 5’10 • 1st Year
Aimee
OSUNDUBA Political Science Toronto, Ont. Ecole Etienne-Brule
THE PLAYERS Named an OUA first-team all-star for the first time last year … Earned team MVP award … Started all 18 matches as a middle blocker … Led the OUA with 0.99 blocks per set and tied for seventh in conference scoring with 3.70 points per set … Previously played two seasons with the Windsor Lancers, where she was the team MVP in 2011 … Is very strong and has a big presence in front of the net … Has attended selection camps for Canada’s national team. M • 6’0 • 5th Year
Michelle
PIERCE
Year 2009-10 2010-11 2012-13 Total
GP 65 74 65 204
K 116 143 157 416
A 5 15 3 23
D 55 156 36 247
B SA 34.5 21 50 29 64.5 19 149 69
PTS 168 (with Windsor) 218 (with Windsor) 240 626
Geography Windsor, Ont. Vincent Massey S.S.
Earned CIS all-Canadian honours and OUA first-team all-star awards in each of the last two years … Finished third in OUA scoring last year with 4.21 points per set, one of only five players in the conference with an average about four … Was also fourth in kills per set (3.36) and tied for 14th in blocks per set (0.53) … Earned OUA and York rookie of the year awards in 2011, as well as places on the OUA and CIS all-rookie teams … An extremely athletic outside hitter … Finished fifth at the beach national championships this past summer.
2
OH • 5’10 • 4th Year
Brandie
WILKERSON Communication Studies Innisfil, Ont. Mayfield S.S.
Appeared in five matches as a rookie … A defensive specialist with a strong, heavy serve … Has a great understanding of the game … Won back-to-back BC provincial championships with club team and a national silver medal in 2011 … Two-time Fraser Valley all-star and provincial all-star. Year GP 2012-13 6 Total 6
K 0 0
A 0 0
D 1 1
B 0 0
GP 72 59 66 197
K 228 210 222 660
A 11 5 13 29
D 85 122 133 340
B 57 31 35 123
SA 32 22 21 75
PTS 292 253 278 823
A hard-working, committed player … Is a very tough server … Has great poise under pressure … A threesport athlete in high school.
SA PTS 0 0 0 0
7
OH • 5’10 • 2nd Year
LIB • 5’3 • 1st Year
Melissa
Octavia
Communication Studies White Rock, B.C. Elgin Park S.S.
Psychology Thornhill, Ont. Havergal College
SMILLIE
WONG
2012-13 REGULAR SEASON STATISTICS # 2 13 10 11 1 3 12 7 4 8 9 14 6
Year 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Total
Name Brandie Wilkerson Michelle Pierce Melissa Humana-Paredes Sheraine Henry Melissa Monkhouse Beata Dye Jennifer Black Tisha Rouse Stephanie Green Gina Morphy Melissa Smillie Kirsten Dillon Carley Flemmer
GP 66 65 63 61 57 20 51 51 20 45 6 11 48
K/G 3.36 2.42 2.33 1.30 1.16 0.35 0.65 0.37 0.40 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00
SA 21 19 32 24 19 2 4 8 1 10 0 0 0
B 35 64.5 8 28 13.5 7 2.5 5 2.5 0.5 0 0 0
A/G 0.20 0.05 0.16 0.26 0.05 0.15 0.06 7.84 0.00 4.11 0.00 2.64 0.19
D/G 2.02 0.55 3.71 0.89 2.23 0.45 2.84 1.47 0.25 1.44 0.17 0.82 3.77
OUA CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY PTS/G 4.21 3.70 2.97 2.15 1.73 0.80 0.77 0.63 0.58 0.26 0.00 0.00 0.00
The York women’s volleyball program has won more OUA championships than any other in conference history, with 15 titles since 1979. The program won titles in the following years: 1978-79 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85
1986-87 1987-88 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92
1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1996-97 2008-09
M O W
L L A B Y E LL
O V S ’ N E BOOK YEAR
yorkulions.ca
THE COACHES NICK TRAN – HEAD COACH Nick Tran took over as head coach of the York women’s volleyball team in 2009 after two years as an assistant. He earned his first OUA coach of the year award in 201112 after leading the Lions to a 16-2 mark in the regular season, a first-place standing in the conference and a national ranking of No. 8. He has also overseen the program’s rise to one of the best in the OUA and a high of No. 4 in the CIS rankings. Tran was the recipient of the Ontario Volleyball Association Coach of the Year award in 2005 and he also runs a successful Vipers volleyball club in Toronto. Previously, he was an assistant coach for the provincial team and an assistant coach for the gold-medal winning Region 5 team at the provincial championship. Tran was a member of the coaching staff for the 2009 Canada Games Provincial Team that competed in P.E.I. at the Canada Games. A strong supporter of Athlete Development programs, he has been involved with the Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) development programs for the past 10 years in several different capacities and is currently the Chair of one of the OVA’s Long-Term Athlete Development committees looking at the Learning to Compete Stage and the Training to Compete Stage. In addition to his coaching duties, Tran is the principal of Bloordale Middle School. Prior to becoming principal, Tran taught Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to middle school students where he was a co-recipient, along with Ben Tran, of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence: Certificate of Achievement.
BEN TRAN - ASSOCIATE COACH Ben Tran joined the Lions women’s volleyball team in 2008 as an assistant coach and helped guide the team to its first provincial championship in 12 years in 2009. He began his coaching experience with the Scarborough Solars club team and has since moved on to running the Vipers club program he cofounded. He has successfully developed several programs with the Vipers, including leading a team to the Canadian National East Championship title in 2005. Tran is also the principal of Hilltop Middle School.
SARAH SUTTON – ASSISTANT COACH Sarah Sutton joined the Lions women’s volleyball coaching staff in 2011 after a stellar five-year career with the program. She was the captain in each of her final two seasons, won the OUA championship in 2009 and was a three-time OUA all-star (2008, 2010-11) while with the team.
MATT HOEY – ASSISTANT COACH Matt Hoey has been an assistant coach with the Lions women’s volleyball team since 2012. He began his coaching career with South County, where he had immediate success medaling in the top tier at the provincial championship. Following that stint, he moved on to the Forest City, National Capital and Ottawa Fusion Volleyball Clubs, and while with National Capital he helped guide the under-17 team to a fourth-place finish at the national championships. He has also previously spent one season as the assistant coach and strength coach for the University of Waterloo women’s volleyball team, and spent time with the Ontario Summer Games Region 3 and Region 6 teams. Away from volleyball, Hoey also heads one of the largest marine insurance companies in Ontario.
SCHEDULE & STATS 2013-14 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE Date Opponent TIME Fri. Oct. 18 vs. Guelph 6pm Sat. Oct. 19 vs. Waterloo 6pm Sat. Oct. 26 at Ryerson 6pm Sun. Oct. 27 at Toronto 1pm Sun. Nov. 3 vs. Ottawa 2pm Fri. Nov. 8 at Queen’s 6pm Sat. Nov. 9 at RMC 6pm Sat. Nov. 16 at Nipissing 2pm Sat. Nov. 23 at Ottawa 2pm Sun. Nov. 24 vs. McMaster 4pm Sat. Jan. 11 vs. Ryerson 12pm Sun. Jan. 12 vs. Toronto 2pm Sat. Jan. 18 at Brock 2pm Sat. Jan. 25 vs. RMC 2pm Sun. Jan. 26 vs. Queen’s 2pm Sat. Feb. 1 at Western 6pm Sun. Feb. 2 at Windsor 1pm Fri. Feb. 7 at Lakehead 7pm Sun. Feb. 9 vs. Nipissing 4pm 2012-13 RESULTS Date Opponent Fri. Oct. 19 vs. Lakehead Sat. Oct. 20 at McMaster Fri. Oct. 26 vs. RMC Sat. Oct. 27 vs. Queen’s Sat. Nov. 10 at Toronto Sun. Nov. 11 at Ryerson Sun. Nov. 18 vs. Guelph Sun. Nov. 25 at Ottawa Fri. Jan. 11 vs. Ryerson Sat. Jan. 12 vs. Toronto Fri. Jan. 18 at Guelph Sat. Jan. 19 at Waterloo Fri. Jan. 25 vs. Windsor Sat. Jan. 26 vs. Western Sat. Feb. 2 at Queen’s Sun. Feb. 3 at RMC Sun. Feb. 10 vs. McMaster Mon. Feb. 11 at Brock Sat. Feb. 16 vs. Lakehead Fri. Feb. 22 vs. Toronto Sat. Feb. 23 vs. Ottawa
Result W 3-1 W 3-0 W 3-0 W 3-0 W 3-0 W 3-0 W 3-0 W 3-2 W 3-0 W 3-2 L 3-1 W 3-0 W 3-1 W 3-1 W 3-2 W 3-0 W 3-2 W 3-0 W 3-0 * W 3-0 # L 3-2 ^
* OUA Quarter-final # OUA Semifinal at Final Four Championships ^ OUA Gold Medal Game at Final Four Championships
Final regular-season record: 17-1 Final playoff record: 2-1 OUA SILVER MEDALLISTS
Lisa Pall - Head Student Therapist Matthew Di Nardo - Assistant Student Therapist
COACH’S SEASON OUTLOOK The stage is set for the York University Lions women’s volleyball team to make another run at provincial glory this season. The Lions have been the preeminent team in the OUA over the past two years, winning more regular-season games than any other team with a 33-3 mark in that stretch. The squad has also made itself known nationally with a consistent appearance in the CIS rankings, including in 12 of 14 weeks last year and a high of No. 4. The Lions came within two points of an OUA title last season, falling 15-13 in the championship final after a 17-1 regular season, and the coaching staff and players have set their sights squarely on taking the next step. “We have some very high expectations for the team this year,” said head coach Nick Tran, the OUA’s coach of the year in 2012. “We expect to compete for top spot in the conference and the championship banner, and we are confident we have all the pieces to make a solid run.” Those pieces include a veteran group of players that make up arguably the most talented starting line-up in the conference. The Lions will field their most senior team in years, with five of the starters in their fourth or fifth year and three of them, Brandie Wilkerson, Melissa Humana-Paredes and Michelle Pierce, all returning after all-star seasons last year. Wilkerson, a two-time CIS all-Canadian and three-time OUA all-star in her first three years with the program, controls the right side and is a dynamic outside hitter, finishing among the OUA’s top three in scoring every season she has been in the league. Humana-Paredes, meanwhile, patrols the left side and is the most versatile player in the conference. Two years ago she was in the OUA’s top eight in scoring and digs – earning CIS all-Canadian honours in the process – and last year she was again in the top seven in digs while finishing 30th in scoring. Between them is Pierce, a premier middle blocker in the conference who led the OUA in blocks last year and was seventh overall in scoring. Behind the trio is an impressive supporting cast that includes libero Jennifer Black, who was second in the OUA in digs per set two seasons ago and last year spent time at both libero and left side, and new faces in fourth-year middle Brittney Hopley, second-year setter Kirsten Dillon and rookie outside hitter Aleks Arsovic.
Hopley is an explosive middle blocker who transferred to York last year after two seasons with the Laurier Golden Hawks and one at California State University of Bakersfield, while Arsovic is new to the OUA but brings with her plenty of experience on the beach, including competing at the national championships this past summer. She will provide the team with stability on the left side and will be counted on to make an immediate impact on the court. The player that will make it all run is Dillon, who saw limited playing time as a rookie last year while mostly learning how to run an offence at the CIS level. She was highly recruited out of British Columbia prior to joining the Lions and the coaches believe she will be one of the best setters in the OUA in the years to come. In order to prepare for the big matches the coaches believe lie ahead at the end of this year, the squad took pre-season trips to Montreal and Vancouver. In the process, the Lions played games against four of the top five nationally-ranked programs heading into the season in No. 1 UBC, No. 2 Trinity Western, No. 3 Montreal and No. 5 UBC Okanagan. Tran expects the lessons learned on those trips, both on and off the court, to pay huge dividends as the year progresses. “Our pre-season really brought the team closer and helped us believe in ourselves. Despite not being able to play any of our nonconference matches with our starting line-up because of injuries and beach commitments, our team has performed extremely well. We have been able to compete against some of the top programs in the country. “The BC trip helped our team understand what it takes to win the big game. Hopefully we can continue to build on this understanding to continue to develop into an extremely tough team to compete against, both physically and mentally.” York has won more OUA women’s volleyball championships than any other program in the conference and the Lions, who already hold a national ranking heading into the season, are well-positioned to win their first OUA banner since 2009.
THE PLAYERS A huge presence at the net both offensively and defensively … Is a strong defensive-minded player … Has showed tremendous poise during training camp and pre-season … Will see significant playing time as a rookie … Reached the quarter-finals at the under-21 beach volleyball championships this past summer … A member of the Team Ontario beach volleyball program … Captain of the under-18 Lakeside volleyball club that won the provincial gold medal … Won back-to-back Halton championships with high school team.
15
Appeared in eight matches last year and finished fourth on the team with 0.35 blocks per set … Provides depth at the middle position … Is extremely athletic and aggressive at the net … Won a provincial silver medal in 2010 with club team … Won high school MVP awards in four sports (volleyball, basketball, soccer and tennis).
3
OH • 6’0 • 1st Year
M • 5’10 • 4th Year
Aleks
Beata
Kinesiology & Health Science Burlington, Ont. Notre Dame Roman C.S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Scarborough, Ont. George S. Henry Academy
ARSOVIC
LIB • 5’9 • 4th Year
Year 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Total
GP 5 56 51 112
K 1 2 33 36
A 0 7 3 10
D 2 253 145 400
B 0 0 2.5 2.5
SA 1 0 4 5
PTS 2 2 39 43
6
LIB • 5’8 • 2nd Year
Carley
Kinesiology & Health Science London, Ont. Saunders S.S.
Health Studies Delta, B.C. Seaquam H.S.
BLACK
Kirsten
DILLON Kinesiology & Health Science Surrey, B.C. Matheson S.S.
A 0 1 3 4
D 2 9 9 20
B 4 24 7 35
SA 3 9 2 14
PTS 10 47 16 73
Year GP 2012-13 48 Total 48
K 0 0
A 9 9
D 181 181
B 0 0
SA PTS 0 0 0 0
FLEMMER
Takes over the starting setter job this season after learning behind Tisha Rouse last year … Appeared in just five matches as a rookie … Has soft hands and a huge presence at the net … Won silver and bronze medals at the provincial championships and gold and silver medals at nationals with club team … Won a bronze medal at Western Elite championships with BC provincial team ... Brother, Brenden, is a professional hockey player in the Dallas Stars organization. S • 5’9 • 2nd Year
K 4 22 7 33
Appeared in 15 matches as a rookie libero last year … Led the Lions and was fifth in the OUA with 3.77 digs per set … Is fearless and quick … Has a calming presence on the court … Won back-to-back BC provincial championships with club team and a national silver medal in 2011 … Won the gold medal in the girls AAA division at the 2011 high school provincial championships, where she was named a tournament all-star.
Jennifer
4
GP 8 24 20 52
DYE
Appeared in all 18 matches as both a libero and left side … Ranked third on the team with 2.84 digs per set, and the previous year was second in the OUA with 4.52 digs per set while playing exclusively at libero … A strong defensive player … Is very aggressive on the court and has no fear … Won back-to-back WOSSA championships in high school.
12
Year 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Total
Year GP 2012-13 11 Total 11
K 0 0
A D 29 9 29 9
B 0 0
SA PTS 0 0 0 0
Has a great work ethic and is committed to getting better … A very strong team player … Former captain of high school volleyball team and earned team MVP honours … Won the GBSSA gold medal in 2011 and qualified for the OFSAA championships.
16
S • 5’7 • 1st Year
Samantha
GRAINER Cognitive Science Barrie, Ont. Eastview S.S.
THE PLAYERS M • 5’8 • 4th Year
Appeared in all 36 regular-season matches as a middle blocker over the last two seasons … Tied for 14th in the OUA in service aces … Was third on the team in blocks per game (0.46) and fourth in scoring (2.15 points per set) … A very athletic, fast player … Has a great vertical jump … Won ROPSSAA championship with high school team.
Returns to the team after previously playing from 2010-12 … Appeared in 21 matches over two seasons as a back-up setter … Won high school’s junior female athlete of the year award in 2008 and senior athlete of the year award in 2010 … Two-time volleyball team MVP … Won the silver medal in the AAAA division at the 2010 OFSAA championships.
Year 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Total
Year 2010-11 2011-12 Total
GP 35 54 61 89
K 28 87 79 115
A 5 25 16 30
D 22 39 54 61
B 30 41 28 71
SA 10 34 24 44
PTS 53 149 131 333
5
S • 5’5 • 3rd Year
Sheraine
Tory
Kinesiology & Health Science Oakville, Ont. John Fraser S.S.
Psychology Georgetown, Ont. Georgetown District H.S.
HENRY
Year GP 2012-13 36 Total 36
K 81 81
A 4 4
D 25 25
1
OH • 6’0 • 3rd Year
Brittney
Melissa
Law & Society Thornhill, Ont. Thornlea S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Guelph, Ont. E.S. Georges-P.-Vanier
HOPLEY
Communication Studies Toronto, Ont. Humberside C.I.
A 135 9 144
D 28 6 34
B 2.5 0 2.5
SA 1 0 1
PTS 6 0 6
Earned a starting spot in the line-up after learning from the bench in first season … Appeared in 17 matches and 57 sets on the left side … Ranked fourth on the team in digs per set (2.23) and service aces, and was fifth in scoring (1.73) … Has a great vertical jump and a strong spike … Won back-to-back HWDB and SOSSA gold medals with high school team in 2008 and 2009.
B SA PTS 29 20 128 (with Laurier) 29 20 128
M • 6’0 • 4th Year
Melissa HUMANA-PAREDES
K 3 0 3
McCRACKEN
Red-shirted last season after transferring from California State University of Bakersfield … Also previously played for the Laurier Golden Hawks, where she led the team in scoring in 2010-11 … A four-time high school volleyball team MVP and three-time track and field MVP, where she was a high jumper.
OH • 5’9 • 4th Year
GP 48 10 58
Year 2011-12 2012-13 Total
GP 5 57 62
K 1 66 67
A 0 3 3
D 0 127 127
B 0 13.5 13.5
SA 0 19 19
PTS 1 98 99
MONKHOUSE
Earned OUA first-team all-star honours for the second straight year … Was a CIS second-team all-Canadian in 2012 … Last year finished seventh in the OUA with 3.71 digs per set, the only player in the top 10 that was not a libero … Alongside the University of Manitoba’s Taylor Pischke in 2013, won the bronze medal at the under-23 world beach volleyball championship, won gold and silver medals at NORCECA events and was fourth at the FISU Games … Earned the Ontario team of the year award in 2011 along with beach partner Victoria Altomare … Has previously won provincial and national beach volleyball championships. Year 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Total
GP 72 59 63 194
K 20 158 147 325
A 4 8 10 22
D 220 252 234 706
B 5 14 8 27
SA 6 46 32 84
PTS 28 210 187 425
Has a good vertical jump … Is very new to the game of volleyball but has lots of potential … Will use this year to develop her skills and become more well-rounded … Won the TDCAA gold medal with high school team in 2012.
6
OH • 5’10 • 1st Year
Aimee
OSUNDUBA Political Science Toronto, Ont. Ecole Etienne-Brule
THE PLAYERS Named an OUA first-team all-star for the first time last year … Earned team MVP award … Started all 18 matches as a middle blocker … Led the OUA with 0.99 blocks per set and tied for seventh in conference scoring with 3.70 points per set … Previously played two seasons with the Windsor Lancers, where she was the team MVP in 2011 … Is very strong and has a big presence in front of the net … Has attended selection camps for Canada’s national team. M • 6’0 • 5th Year
Michelle
PIERCE
Year 2009-10 2010-11 2012-13 Total
GP 65 74 65 204
K 116 143 157 416
A 5 15 3 23
D 55 156 36 247
B SA 34.5 21 50 29 64.5 19 149 69
PTS 168 (with Windsor) 218 (with Windsor) 240 626
Geography Windsor, Ont. Vincent Massey S.S.
Earned CIS all-Canadian honours and OUA first-team all-star awards in each of the last two years … Finished third in OUA scoring last year with 4.21 points per set, one of only five players in the conference with an average about four … Was also fourth in kills per set (3.36) and tied for 14th in blocks per set (0.53) … Earned OUA and York rookie of the year awards in 2011, as well as places on the OUA and CIS all-rookie teams … An extremely athletic outside hitter … Finished fifth at the beach national championships this past summer.
2
OH • 5’10 • 4th Year
Brandie
WILKERSON Communication Studies Innisfil, Ont. Mayfield S.S.
Appeared in five matches as a rookie … A defensive specialist with a strong, heavy serve … Has a great understanding of the game … Won back-to-back BC provincial championships with club team and a national silver medal in 2011 … Two-time Fraser Valley all-star and provincial all-star. Year GP 2012-13 6 Total 6
K 0 0
A 0 0
D 1 1
B 0 0
GP 72 59 66 197
K 228 210 222 660
A 11 5 13 29
D 85 122 133 340
B 57 31 35 123
SA 32 22 21 75
PTS 292 253 278 823
A hard-working, committed player … Is a very tough server … Has great poise under pressure … A threesport athlete in high school.
SA PTS 0 0 0 0
7
OH • 5’10 • 2nd Year
LIB • 5’3 • 1st Year
Melissa
Octavia
Communication Studies White Rock, B.C. Elgin Park S.S.
Psychology Thornhill, Ont. Havergal College
SMILLIE
WONG
2012-13 REGULAR SEASON STATISTICS # 2 13 10 11 1 3 12 7 4 8 9 14 6
Year 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Total
Name Brandie Wilkerson Michelle Pierce Melissa Humana-Paredes Sheraine Henry Melissa Monkhouse Beata Dye Jennifer Black Tisha Rouse Stephanie Green Gina Morphy Melissa Smillie Kirsten Dillon Carley Flemmer
GP 66 65 63 61 57 20 51 51 20 45 6 11 48
K/G 3.36 2.42 2.33 1.30 1.16 0.35 0.65 0.37 0.40 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00
SA 21 19 32 24 19 2 4 8 1 10 0 0 0
B 35 64.5 8 28 13.5 7 2.5 5 2.5 0.5 0 0 0
A/G 0.20 0.05 0.16 0.26 0.05 0.15 0.06 7.84 0.00 4.11 0.00 2.64 0.19
D/G 2.02 0.55 3.71 0.89 2.23 0.45 2.84 1.47 0.25 1.44 0.17 0.82 3.77
OUA CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY PTS/G 4.21 3.70 2.97 2.15 1.73 0.80 0.77 0.63 0.58 0.26 0.00 0.00 0.00
The York women’s volleyball program has won more OUA championships than any other in conference history, with 15 titles since 1979. The program won titles in the following years: 1978-79 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85
1986-87 1987-88 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92
1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1996-97 2008-09
