The SMUS Senior Girls Volleyball team will rely on the veteran leadership of four key seniors as the Blue Jags navigate an ambitious schedule they hope will lead to the B.C. 3A championship tournament Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 in Dawson Creek.
Head Coach Melanie Bendfeld says the team will count on third-year setter Ava Gillespie, as well as fellow seniors Madeleine Albert (libero), Tomoe Hayashi (setter), and Katie Maybie (middle), as it begins its season this week, including the Sept. 22-23 Dover Bay Invitational at Nanaimo.
“We have a very hardworking group of athletes with some experienced volleyball players who understand the game—which should lead to an exciting and competitive season,” said Bendfeld, who is assisted by Allison Higinbotham.
Other key players that Bendfeld will rely on include: returning Grade 11 outside hitter Charlie Anderson, a valuable attacker from the left side; Kate Fraser, a Grade 11 middle who is new to the senior team but is an experienced club player , and who offers a strong quick attack; Grade 10 middle/outside Nicola Bevington, who represented the Island Zone in the U15 B.C. Cup; and Isabelle LeRoy, a Grade 11 middle/outside who is an experienced club player.
The team includes six returnees and seven newcomers.
Bendfeld, who has been head coach of the Blue Jags since 2011, and steered SMUS to a 3A Island championship in 2021, expects her team to be among the top-six in the Lower Island, the top-two teams among a local 3A pool which includes Stelly’s, Vic High, Esquimalt, and Edward Milne, as well as among the top-four in the 3A Islands.
The Blue Jags’ schedule is packed, beginning with the start of Pool A league play this week, as well as this weekend’s tournament in Dover Bay. It also includes the Douglas College tournament Sept. 29-30 in Vancouver, the ISA Championships at Mulgrave Oct. 20 and 21, the Belmont tournament Oct. 27-28, and the Island 3A championships at Vic High.
The team began Lower Island League Pool A play this past Tuesday at Lambrick Park. With just three senior-team players in the lineup due to out-trips, SMUS beat Oak Bay 2-0, split with Vic High 1-1 and lost to Lambrick 2-0.
Gillespie ran the floor, with a lot of hustle, committed defense and rock-solid serving for SMUS. Hayashi brought hard-hitting attack and transitional offence from the left side. Bevington made important contributions on defence and serve receive and put together a solid attack in her first senior game on the left side.
SMUS brought up seven Grade 10 junior players to fill out the roster for its first league action.
