Welcome to what has now grown to a near full-decade tradition.
It was back in 2009 when local university coaches first began their own poll for The Province newspaper to determine the B.C. high school girls volleyball Player of the Year.
That season, a most worthy winner named Rosie Schlagintweit of Abbotsford’s Yale Secondary, a 6-foot rightside, headed to the UBC Thunderbirds, was picked the very first B.C. Player of the Year.
Now comes our ninth winner!
Here’s the list, for the first time at VarsityLetters.ca, of the 2017 Super 15.
We’re so proud of our team and the bright futures they have as they embark on not only their club seasons, but on university careers at some of North America’s finest programs come this fall.
Once again, thanks to our university coaches for their dedication to the process. Without them, none of this would be possible.
(We’ll have the B.C. boys Super 15 list next week)
1 Kayla Oxland
School — Handsworth Royals (North Vancouver)
Height — 5-foot-9
Position — Setter
Avg. rank — 1.4
Freshman’s future — UBC Thunderbirds (U Sports)
The coaches say — She contributes every time she sets foot on the court with her leadership, competitive drive and ability to raise the level of play of her entire team. To compliment her setting abilities, she has dynamic left-handed attacking, and in the back court provides tremendous defensive pursuit skills.
(For a story on our overall winner, click here)
2 Savannah Purdy
School — Belmont Bulldogs (Victoria)
Height — 6-foot
Position — Outside
Avg. rank — 2.2
Freshman’s future — Trinity Western Spartans (U Sports)
The coaches say — Outstanding all-round player that brings an impressive attacking range and solid ball-control to the floor. Savannah is a fierce competitor who does a great job of making everyone around her play better.
3 Tiffany Westerberg
School — Maple Ridge Ramblers
Height — 6-foot-3
Position — Middle
Avg. rank — 3.0
Freshman’s future — Oregon State (NCAA)
The coaches say — Physical middle with the ability to attack off one or two feet as well as hit from the outside. Ready to compete at the next level and will add intensity to the Beavers lineup.
4 Sydney Grills
School — Point Grey Greyhounds (Vancouver)
Height — 6-foot-3
Position — Outside
Avg. rank — 3.8
Freshman’s future — UBC Okanagan
The coaches say — Sydney is an offensive force. She has a great right arm and has the ability to score from anywhere on the court. Her versatility allows her to play on the leftside or rightside and believe that she has the ability to be a force at the university level.
5 Savannah Casterino-Leger
School — Langley Christian Lightning
Height — 6-foot-2
Position — Outside
Avg. rank — 5.0
Freshman’s future — Undecided
The coaches say — A powerful attacker from all zones on the court and strong all round-player. A well-deserving MVP at a competitive AA provincials.
6 Brynn Pasin
School — Seaquam Seahawks (North Delta)
Height — 6-foot
Position — Outside
Avg. rank — 6.2
Freshman’s future — UBC Thunderbirds
The coaches say — Leader of the Seaquam team offensively as well anchoring the back row. She will continue to develop as a leftside player at the next level.
7 Danika Cowie
School — Earl Marriott Mariners (Surrey)
Height — 5-foot-10
Position — Outside
Avg. rank — 6.4
Freshman’s future — UBC Thunderbirds
The coaches say — Great all-round player who did it all for Earl Marriot team before a knee injury limited her to playing libero at Quad A provincials. She is an assertive defensive player and has a strong work ethic.
8 Gabby Brown
School — Semiahmoo Totems
Height — 5-foot-8
Position — Libero
Avg. rank — 8.0
Freshman’s future — Southern Cal Trojans (NCAA)
The coaches say — A great passer and defender and a fierce competitor. Played as an outside hitter this high school season but will be a libero/defensive specialist for USC next fall.
9 Cara Kovacs
School — West Point Grey Academy Grey Wolves
Height — 5-foot-11
Position — Outside
Avg. rank — 9.0
Freshman’s future — UBC Thunderbirds (U Sports)
The coaches say — In what is an extremely deep recruiting class, she is a very strong outside player. A good blocker, and great jumping ability helps make her a strong right side player.
10 Kalyn Hartmann
School — Langley Saints
Height — 6-foot-1
Position — Middle
Avg. rank — 10.0
Freshman’s future — Simon Fraser Clan (NCAA)
The coaches say — Strong athlete who brings a physical presence to the net and provides the versatility to play either in the middle position or on the right-side.
11 Sedona Arabsky
School — Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers (Surrey)
Height — 5-foot-11
Position — Middle
Avg. rank — 11.0
Freshman’s future — Trinity Western Spartans (U Sports)
The coaches say — Great athlete, fast and quick at the net. Has a heavy arm and good range as an attacker.
12 Erin Mutch
School — Oak Bay Breakers (Victoria)
Height — 5-foot-9
Position — Outside
Avg. rank — 12.0
Freshman’s future — Thompson Rivers WolfPack (U Sports)
The coaches say — Strong athlete with a high level of compete and a work ethic that will allow her to be successful at the next level. Has the ability to hit on the outside or play libero.
13 Kristen McBride
School — Mission Roadrunners
Height — 5-foot-11
Position — Outside
Avg. rank — 13.4
Freshman’s future — Fraser Valley Cascades (CCAA)
The coaches say — A skilled outside hitter with a wide array of shots and a steady back court game. A leader and go-to hitter for the Mission team.
14 Hannah May
School — Belmont Bulldogs (Victoria)
Height — 6-foot
Position — Right side
Avg. rank — 14.2
Freshman’s future — MacEwan Griffins (U Sports)
The coaches say — A consistent presence on the right-side for the perenially successful Belmont team. A good blocker and attacker with the ability to hit a variety of sets.
15 Sarah McKillican
School — Mark Isfeld Ice (Courtenay)
Height — 5-foot-10
Position — Setter
Avg. rank — 15.0
Freshman’s future — Mt. Royal Cougars (U Sports)
The coaches say — Sarah is an exceptional athlete. When she steps on the floor she has the ability to elevate the people around her through her undeniable energy, her offensive IQ and her defensive pursuit. She is a fierce competitor and has a work ethic that is often unmatched.
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