By Jadon Frank

The Briercrest women’s volleyball team is expecting its new recruit to bring size, energy and support to the team this fall.

Deanna Wall, who recently graduated from Borden School in Borden, SK, is a 6’ middle that began playing volleyball in Grade 6 and has experienced a great deal of team and personal success.

“During my final year at Borden I was awarded the female senior volleyball player award,” the six-foot middle said. “Also, during my Borden career we were able to make it to regionals this final season, which hasn't happened for a very long time.”

Wall brings an all-around student-athlete perspective to Briercrest.

“Through my whole high school career I was on (the) honour role,” Wall said. “I played on most teams there including volleyball, which I was named co-captain my Grade 12 year. (I also played) basketball, badminton, fastball and track, where I made it to provincials for four years in high jump.”

Briercrest head coach Nolan Weinmaster feels Wall will be a great fit on the team this fall.

“I am very excited about working with Deanna this year!” Weinmaster said. “She brings a lot of height and athletic ability to our roster. She is a force at the net and has so much potential to keep getting better. I am looking forward to the positive attitude and character she will contribute to our team as well.”

Wall began playing club volleyball in Grade 8 in nearby Waldheim.

“I was there for four years in which I played middle the majority of the time,” she said. “This final year I played on the JCVC Extreme team where we got 11th at nationals and came in second at provincials. In 2010 I made it on the 16U provincial team where we went to Kelowna, BC.”

Wall made a great first impression on her JCVC club coach, Anne Cote, during her first tryout with the club.

“Deanna has been a very dedicated and hard worker from the first time I saw her at a tryout,” Cote said.

“From that point on it was always great to have her bring her energy to the court,” she continued. “She is a very determined athlete. She gives everything she has in every play she is involved in.  She is very supportive of all her teammates as well.”

In hopes of eventually becoming a physiotherapist, Wall plans on taking general courses while at Briercrest.

Cote feels Wall and her family will be a great fit at Briercrest.

“She should have no problem academically,” she explained. “Her energy will be her attribute to bring to the team. Deanna has great family support and (they) do not interfere with the team or coaches. They are always willing to help with the team in any aspect that is needed.”

2013-14 Briercrest College Women’s Volleyball Recruiting Class

LS Samantha Zacharias • 5-8 • 1^st • Waldheim, SK/Waldheim School/JCVC Extreme 18U

L Abbi Robinson • 5-7 • 1^st • Brandon, MB/Crocus Plains Regional Secondary High School/WestMan Volleyball Club 18U

S Regan Kooyman • 5-6 • 1st • Lacombe, AB/Central Alberta Christian High School/Lacombe Dynamite 18U

M Deanna Wall • 6-0 • 1^st • Borden, SK/Borden High School/JCVC Extreme 18U

M Stephanie Isaak • 5-10 • 1^st • Rosthern, SK/Rosthern Junior College