St. Clair 2019 Volleyball Season Begins Saturday
The St. Clair College Women’s and Men’s Volleyball programs open their regular season at the SportsPlex Saturday afternoon against Cambrian College (Sudbury) and then host College Boreal (Sudbury) on Sunday afternoon.
The St. Clair Women are coming off one of their best regular seasons in many years finishing in 2nd place in the OCAA West with a record of 15-3. However, the Saints were upset in the quarter final at the OCAA Championship. The women have eight players returning from last year’s roster along with six rookies on the roster. Key returning veterans are first team All Star outside hitter and West Division scoring champion Te-Anna Stephenson (3rd year; Whitby; Sinclair Secondary) along with first team All Star libero Julie Ann Milling (5th year; Woodstock; Woodstock Collegiate).
Of the six rookies large contributions are expected from 6’0 outside hitter Chantal DeVlugt (Wyoming; LCCVI), 5’11 Middle Keyome Ellis (Toronto; Jean Vanier Catholic), and 5’8 outside hitter Baylee Mailloux (Belle River; St. Anne’s).
Head Coach Jimmy El-Turk has high expectations for this group. “We are really excited to get the season underway. It’s been a long preseason filled with ten exhibition matches and we eager to start the regular season. I’m looking forward to seeing how our mix of veteran leadership and youth meshes as we build towards playing our best in late February at the provincial championships.”
The St. Clair Men will look to improve on their 5-13 record and 8th place finish last season in the OCAA’s West Division and first round playoff exit. Shawn Reaume is entering his first season as head coach after Rob Lynch stepped down after ten seasons.
Reaume has a new look roster with only three players back from last season. Outside hitters Frankie Friesen (2nd year; Staples; Tilbury District) and Ryan Acott (3rd year; Windsor; Kennedy Collegiate) are expected to be key contributers. The Saints have 2 former players returning to the lineup as well. 6’3 middle Ubert Batista (2nd year; Panama) returns from two years ago when he was named to the OCAA All Rookie Team. 6’3 outside hitter Julien Miletic (3rd year; Windsor; Kennedy) also returns to bring some veteran leadership to the very young squad.
Of the ten new players Reaume has high expectations for 5’8 setter Simran Pahal (Kitchener; Huron Heights), 6’6 middle Logan Ondricko (Belle River; St. Anne’s), and 6’1 outside hitter Jeremiah Lemay (Mildmay; Sacred Heart).
Reaume knows there will be some growing pains this year but is confident in his group. “On this new team of young athletes hungry to learn along with some key veterans, I expect and hope to see steady improvement throughout the regular season. We’re working on small goals every day to accomplish bigger outcome goals and be the best team we can be come playoff time where anything can happen.”
Below is the Saints volleyball weekend schedule.
Sat, Oct. 26th
2:00pm St. Clair Women’s Game vs. Cambrian College
4:00pm St. Clair Men’s Game vs. Cambrian College
Sun, Oct. 27th
12:00pm St. Clair Women’s Game vs. College Boreal
2:00pm St. Clair Men’s Game vs. College Boreal