By Rob Schellenberg

Size, strength, and attitude are three attributes that will help a Hanley High School student compete for a position on a strong college volleyball team this fall.

Erin Anderson, of Thode, Sask., is hoping to be a member of the Briercrest College and Seminary Clippers in Caronport, Sask. The Clippers play in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference, Canada’s top college volleyball league.

The six-foot power hitter captained her high school team to a bronze medal in districts and was one of two captains on the JCVC  club team from Saskatoon.

Eric Marchildon, Anderson’s JCVC coach, knows Briercrest is getting an excellent recruit.

“Erin is a very physical player that has a keen mind for volleyball,” he said. “She’s an offensively skilled athlete with a very large repertoire. Erin can consistently influence the outcome of each match. She is a well-rounded player with a lot of potential upside.”

Briercrest’s coach, Nolan Weinmaster, agrees.

“Erin has good all-around skills. Her ball control with passing, setting, and defense are good, but what I really like about Erin is her height and her strength.”

Anderson led her club team in kills this year.

“She has strong attacking ability and will be able to terminate the ball consistently,” Weinmaster said. “She also has great court presence and shows leadership on the court. She has an intimidating serve and just a lot of potential to develop into an outstanding player.”
 
The Clipper coach is expecting the former Hanley Sabre to push the eight returning players for a job as an outside hitter next season.

 “We graduated our two starting left sides from this past season, so there is a great opportunity for her to come in and make an impact right away,” he said.

Anderson’s benefits to the Clippers won’t be just with her physical skills—she has had a leadership role on each of her teams.

“Erin is great person and likes to lead by example,” coach Marchildon said. “Her positive attitude is infectious and is always looking out for her teammates. Sure to make you laugh, her fun and spirited personality is sure to leave its mark.”

“Over the years, Erin has gained and earned the trust of her peers,” Marchildon added.

Weinmaster agrees.

“Erin is a natural leader with a great attitude and character,” he said. “She also has the desire to continue to develop as a leader of character, which is one of the main reasons she wants to play here at Briercrest. We want players who desire to become all that they can as athletes, but even more importantly, to develop into the people of character that God wants us to be and the type of leaders that our society desperately needs. She is very positive and will work hard to make herself and the team better. She seems to be very coachable and I am looking forward to working with her.”

Briercrest wasn’t on Anderson’s radar at the start, but an invitation from Weinmaster to come and practice with the team quickly changed things. Her mother, a CHS alumna, also wanted her to consider the school.

“My mom wanted me to go out and practice and as soon as I got out there I knew that was where I was supposed to go,” Anderson said.

The team’s skill level impressed the young power hitter, but the positive atmosphere and the opportunity to play for coach Weinmaster were the deciding factors.
“I’m very excited to play for Nolan—he seems like a really great guy,” she said.

“It will be interesting to have someone who is a coach of faith and has the same views as me.”