There will be another Bruce wearing a Briercrest Clipper uniform this fall. Chantal Bruce is joining the women’s volleyball team for the 2011-12 season, and following in the footsteps of her older sister and cousin.

Chantal’s older sister Kayla started her post-secondary career with Briercrest and had a great deal of success being named ACAC First Team All-Conference in the 2009-10 season, before going to play in the BCCAA, where she led the league in points per game this past season. Chantal’s cousin, Rebecca Bruce, also played two seasons for the Clippers from 2008-2010, where she was the team’s Most Improved Player for the 2008-09 season.

Head Coach Nolan Weinmaster is looking forward to having another Bruce on the roster.

“Chantal is going to bring a great deal of skill as well as competiveness and energy to our team. She is very similar to Kayla and Rebecca in that way. They make everyone around them better because they compete hard in every practice and match, always pushing to be their best.”

The latest Bruce to join the Clippers began playing volleyball in her hometown of Surrey, BC, in Grade 6 when she attended a development camp. She fell in love with the sport and began playing school and club volleyball with Seaside Club the following year. She got a taste of success early on, helping lead her Grade 7 team to a PlayDay championship banner.

In Grade 8, Bruce switched to Focus Volleyball Club where she has played right through to her final season this year. Some of her highlights with Focus have included a week long tournament in Phoenix, AZ, finishing in the top 4 at the Best of the West tournament this season, and winning every tournament they have attended south of the border the past two seasons.

Bruce has been named a tournament all-star for high school tournaments, has been honored as MVP of her high school volleyball team at Fleetwood Park three out of the last five seasons, and also was awarded a scholarship from her from her high school athletic department for volleyball.

Dave Wildman was one of Bruce’s high school coaches.

“I would have to say Chantal Bruce is one of the most competitive female players I have ever coached in my 10 years of coaching,” Wildman said.  “She is a captain that the team respects and is very similar to her older sister. She will be a huge part of the Briercrest team in some way or another.”

Bruce’s other high school coach, Chris Schultz, agrees that Bruce has what it takes to be an impact player at the next level.

“Her attitude and skill set to play every point like her last helped us in close key matches as she was our go to girl to put the match away,” Schultz said. “Chantal is an all-around aggressive player starting from the serving line, to hitting various shots in the front row, to her defensive passing in the back. Chantal is a player that is always trying to step her game up by pushing herself on the court, and even harder in the weight room.”

Although she has had little time for hobbies with her busy volleyball schedule, working a part-time job during the school year, and helping with her dad’s painting business in the summers, Bruce had the opportunity for one amazing experience outside of volleyball in February.

“This past year I had the greatest experience in my entire life as I got to go on a missions trip with my church to the Philippines!” Bruce said. “The Lord has blessed us here in Canada in so many ways beyond grasp.  This eye opening journey I took enabled me to look at my life and our world in a whole new perspective as I got to live the life of someone in a developing country.”

Bruce recognizes the privilege to play sports and go to college in our country and is looking forward to making the most of her opportunity at Briercrest. She is excited about continuing to pursue her passion for volleyball as well as her relationship with God, even though it is a big step to leave home in BC.

“Volleyball is pretty much my life which I am perfectly more than happy with!” Bruce said. “I plan on taking Humanities at Briercrest and Bible classes to study and learn more about the Lord our Savior! Coming to Briercrest is a big step in my life as I am from Surrey, BC, and I look forward to building relationships and being part of this new community in the cold. I know it will be a great experience and I look forward for everything about it!”