CALGARY - After nine seasons at the helm of one of the top women's volleyball programs in the nation, Kevin Boyles steps aside in 2008-09 as the new athletic director at the University of Calgary.
Following a sensational career which featured a .761 winning percentage, eight consecutive appearances at the national championship, six CIS medals, a national coach of the year award, and the 2004 Canadian title, Boyles hands over the reins to Jesse Knight, who takes on his first CIS head coaching job after five seasons assisting with the UBC Thunderbirds – the reigning national champions.
Knight steps into an enviable situation with a solid foundation and a veteran group hungry to improve on four straight CIS bronze medal finishes.
“We're in a situation that Kevin's built that I can just build on, where we're really dominating teams at times,” said Knight. “The transition has been all positive, and I think that's showed in our early results.”
Second team All-Canadian and reigning UC athlete of the year Julie Young returns for her fifth year alongside fellow left side Lauren Perry and right side Holly Harper, together forming the nucleus of a veteran team that is focused on upgrading those bronze medals. And their coach is certainly behind those aspirations.
“I really believe in these girls,” he said. “I believe they're ready to take that next step and really fight for that gold medal, because they really want it. We're going to have a lot of success.”
Of course, in the powerhouse that is Canada West, actually getting to the national championship may end up being more difficult than winning it all, but Knight believes the pieces are in place.
“There's a lot of experience on this team, and our setters are starting to come into their own,” he said. “We've also had key contributions from our freshmen middles, which is great for the future of this program.”
In the middle, Calgary lost the fifth-year tandem of Willemina Stikker-Breemhaar and Deanna Delisle, but solid recruiting has shored up that crucial position. Laura Littlejohn makes the transition to CIS volleyball after a stellar career with Malaspina University College (now Vancouver Island University) in Nanaimo, B.C., where she led the Mariners to the 2008 CCAA championship.
“Laura has really carved out her spot on the team as someone who will bring it on every point,” Knight said. “She is a fantastic blocker, she brings a world of experience, and she makes us instantly stronger.”
Kelly Frittenburg (Caldeon, Ont.) and Ali Sandholm (Campbell River, B.C.), both veterans of the youth and junior national team programs, join the Dinos as freshmen middles.
Young spent the summer with the national team, as did left side Laura Wilson, who moves into her sophomore season after a solid rookie outing. CIS all-rookie team member Sarah Lacny returns for her sophomore season at the setter's spot, where she will split duties with third year Kathryn Moncks.
The remainder of the recruiting class consists of outside hitter Lindsay Doland and libero Sarah Moncks, both from the Dinos Volleyball Club. Moncks is the younger sister of setter Kat.
In addition to new faces on the floor, Knight says fans will see a new style of play as well.
“I've added some systems,” he said. “We've shifted our focus a little bit, especially with our blocking strategy. We've also created a faster-tempo offence, trying to create more one-on-ones, and the dividends are already paying off.
“There may be some times where it's going to be a little risky, but we will not be satisfied with a bronze medal.”
The Saskatchewan Huskies are in town this weekend to face the fourth-ranked Dinos in the season opener for both teams. Game times are 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Jack Simpson Gym.
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