Acacia Wiebe will be following in the footsteps of older sister Rylee as she joins the Briercrest women’s volleyball team this fall.

Briercrest head coach Nolan Weinmaster is excited to add the younger Wiebe to the fold this year.

“Acacia will bring a great deal of skill and athleticism to our team,” Weinmaster said. “She has a fantastic work ethic to go with her great coachable attitude. She has grown up in a great family, which has instilled strong character in her, and I have had the privilege of coaching her older sister Rylee, so I know we are adding another fantastic person and player to our team in Acacia. I am so excited to have both sisters on our team this year and I look forward to working with another member of the Wiebe family as I know she has the type of character and commitment that we look for in our Briercrest Volleyball recruits!”

The Grunthal, MB native recently graduated from Green Valley School where she has been on the honour roll every year of high school.

Wiebe talked about her volleyball experience thus far in her career.

“I began playing volleyball in Grade 7,” she explained. “I have played for the Green Valley Pirates, Vision Elite, Red River Rebels, and University of Manitoba Junior Bisons. I have played as a middle and a right side. Some highlights include my first school provincials in Grade 9, Grade 11 school provincial finals, playing with my sister for Vision, winning provincials with Rebels and Bisons, and nationals is always fun!

Wiebe has received several accolades already during her career.

“Some personal awards include receiving provincial All-star for high school provincials in Grades 9, 11, and 12,” she explained. “I also received our schools junior varsity athlete of the year award.”

A few of Wiebe’s coaches spoke very highly of her, including her Junior Bisons club coach Dan McGregor.

“Acacia was an integral part of her 17u and 18u club teams winning the Manitoba provincial championships and placing 5th at nationals each year,” he explained. “She was a positive contributor to our teams by being willing to take on any role required of her by always thinking of the team needs first. Acacia has limitless potential with the combination of tremendous jumping ability and desire to be the best player she can be.”

Wiebe’s high school assistant coach Doris Wiens echoed McGregor’s praises.

“Acacia is a dynamic middle blocker,” Wiens said. “She reads the play well and has a tremendous reach. She was an integral part of her high school team that medaled at provincials for four years straight.  Acacia is a quiet person who leads by example on the court.”

Her high school varsity head coach, and Briercrest men’s volleyball alumnus, Ken Friesen also spoke very highly of Wiebe.

“Acacia lets her actions speak louder than words on the court,” Friesen said. “With a vertical touch of almost 10 feet, she is a force to be reckoned with. Her penetrating blocks and attack line hits make her a pleasure to watch. Acacia’s aggressive play at the net both offensively and defensively will be an asset to the Briercrest volleyball team.”

Wiebe is looking forward to attending Briercrest this coming year.

“I am planning on taking Biblical Studies,” she said. “I am most looking forward to the people and the atmosphere at Briercrest this coming year.”

Wiebe excelled on many teams while playing for the Green Valley School Pirates, including soccer, basketball, track and field, ultimate frisbee, softball, cross country running and of course volleyball.

Her interests extend outside of sports.

“My hobbies and interests include enjoying cooking and baking with healthy ingredients, working out, reading, travelling, and shopping,” she explained. “I am very interested in health, as well as physical wellness. Favourite experiences outside of volleyball would be road trips and spending time at the cabin in summer.”

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