Memorial University Athletics and their women's volleyball program are very excited to welcome Belle de Vries from Barrhead, Alberta and Claire Whiffen from St. John's, NL.
Belle is a 5'9" outside attacker who grew up playing for the Pandas Volleyball Club, and then moved on to play for the Lakeland Rustlers in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Association. Belle plans to pursue a degree in Physical Education while at Memorial University.
"I really enjoyed my visit and found the program was impressive academically and athletically."
Belle has found success at all levels of her volleyball career, in school, club and most recently college. Her Lakeland Rustlers team has been one of the top college programs in the country over the past two seasons where they captured a Canadian Colleges Athletic Association Championship in 2017, which they followed up with a CCAA Bronze medal in 2018.
"I chose Memorial University as they had the program that I wanted to pursue. I really enjoyed my visit and found the program was impressive academically and athletically. I found my visit was inviting with a great group of girls, and great staff members."
Coach Slauenwhite stated, "We are very excited to add Belle to our roster for the 2018-19 season. Belle comes to the Sea-Hawks with a wealth of experience from playing and competing in the ACAC over the past two season's with Lakeland College. Belle is a very dynamic athlete with a heavy arm, which will help her adjust to life in the AUS very quickly".
Claire is a 6'2" middle who attended Mount Pearl Senior High and has also competed with the Sea-Hawks HP Club Program and Team NL. She will be studying Engineering while at Memorial.
"Every time I step on the court I'm motivated"
Whiffen joins the program with a high-level of experiences on the local and provincial levels. She was named MVP of the 2018 Provincial Championships, while also being named the MVP of her high school program. She started playing volleyball six years ago and fell in love with the team aspect of the sport.
"Every time I step on the court I'm motivated by the fact that my teammates rely on me to play my part because in order for a team to have success all 6 players need to be at the top of their game," states Whiffen.
Coach Slauenwhite stated, "I'm very excited to have Claire join our team and program for the fall of 2018. I have seen Claire grow and develop as a player through our Sea-Hawks Club Program as well as Team Newfoundland. Claire is a very dynamic 6'2" middle blocker, who will add immediate depth in that position. Along with athleticism, Claire is a student of the game. She always listens and learns, then applies the new information to advance as an elite athlete. We are looking forward to seeing Claire compete in the AUS, and have an impact as she moves through her career".
The Sea-Hawks open their exhibition schedule in Ottawa from September 27thto 30thfor the Gee Gees Classic. This is the fourth consecutive year the team will compete in this tournament. Memorial will play host to the Royal Military College (RMC) on October 5th, 6th, and 7thin a home exhibition series. For more information, visit http://www.goseahawks.ca/