OLDS — A new year brings new challenges and expectations, and in the case of the Olds College Broncos women’s volleyball team, a new perspective.
The Broncos tipped off their 2022-23 campaign on home court as they welcomed the Lethbridge College Kodiaks (0-1) to the Ralph Klein Centre Oct. 21.
During that game, the team’s new head coach, Sammy Fraser, made her regular season debut on the Olds College sideline.
Fraser noted that the team has already overcome a number of hurdles in preparation for the season.
“We've been battling through injuries, life challenges, and adjusting to the expectations of being a full-time, high-performance team post-COVID,” she said.
“This being said, within all of these challenges, it has been really special to see the athletes step up and support each other on and off the court, and I have no doubt we are going to be a better team for it.”
Team captain Tabitha Martin (Delacour, Alta.) played the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons with the Mount Royal University Cougars, where Fraser previously served as an assistant coach.
“She has been so uplifting and empowering,” Martin said of Fraser. “She respects all of our previous hard work in creating a desirable culture, but she also provides us space and opportunities to grow that culture into something even better.”
Along with Martin setting the tone, the Broncos will look to rookie Julia Pedersen (Chestermere) to step up in the absence of Sydney Joyce (Dodsland, Sask.), who will likely miss the first half of the season due to injury.
The Broncos will showcase a different offensive look in 2022-23 following the graduation of setter Avery Gammel (Stoddart).
Second-year setter Lexi Lafreniere (Calgary) is poised to take the reigns in the middle after splitting reps with Madison Macaulay (Claresholm) last season.
Olds College will also have changes defensively after Francesca Sandini, one of two ACAC South All-Conference liberos in 2021-22, transferred to Red Deer Polytechnic in the off-season.
The Broncos will turn to second-year Sarah Merkosky (Chestermere) to bring some stability to the team’s serve reception and defence.
As the lone fifth-year Bronco, Martin has been amazed by the growth of this year’s Olds College squad.
“With such a young team, it can be hard to get everyone on the same page, but this team has been so dedicated and determined to do what it takes to continually grow,” she said.
“We have created such a great bond over the past couple months that will give us an advantage this season.”
Fraser is looking for the team to remain task-oriented while competing relentlessly.
“The growth this group has shown over the span of a month has been exciting to watch, so we are looking forward to the opportunity to compete against a top team in the league and show our home crowd what Bronco's women's volleyball looks like,” she said.
This article, edited by the Albertan, was written by Olds College sports Information and Esports coordinator Geordie Carragher.
