2016-17 Canada West women's volleyball season preview: Manitoba Bisons

2015-16 CW regular season record: 3-21/ 12th place in conference
2015-16 post-season record: 0-0 / did not qualify for the playoffs


Last CW championship / total CW championships: 1970-71 / 2
Last CIS championship / total CIS championships: 2013-14 / 7

2015-16 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 12.7, 12th in conference
Kills per set: 9.65, 12th in conference
Hitting percentage: .120, 12th in conference

2015-16 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 179 – Tori Studler, Left Side
Digs: 192 – Cassie Bujan, Libero
Blocks: 80 – Sarah Klassen, Middle
Aces: 20 – Kalena Schultz, Left Side
Assists: 393 – Sydney Booker, Setter

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Kearley Abbott / Right Side / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Cobras Club
Josie Abbott / Left Side / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Cobras Club
Jocelyn Koswin / Middle / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Cobras Club
Courtney Kowk / Libero and Setter / 2 / East St. Paul, MB / Shock Club
Darby Coughlin / Right Side / 1 / Winnipeg, MB / Bison Club

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
None

Key performer:
Caleigh Dobie and Cassie Bujan
Libero
5 and 3
Winnipeg, MB and Anola, MB

Both libero players have been an integral part of the Bison program and gives flexibility at the position. For new head coach Jon Hykawy, he feels "the importance for our success is that we can use two players at the libero position in a set and during the match."

Dobie is a returning fifth year veteran who will be a team captain for a second consecutive season and was part of the Bisons' winning the U Sports National championship team in 2013-14. She was injured for some of last season but looks to be a major force again in her final season at Manitoba.

Bujan played in all the Bison matches in 2015-16 and added experience at the position when Dobie was not available. She registered a team-high 192 digs and six service aces in her sophomore season and added depth to a young squad.

Both players will be lean upon to provide strength on and off the court as Manitoba battles to push hard to secure a playoff spot in the ultra-competitive Canada West conference in 2016-17 campaign.

2016-17 Preview: On and off the court, the Bison women's volleyball team will have see change in 2016-17.

On the court, there are four rookies who will make an immediate impact plus have five sophomore players that will be a huge part of this young Bison squad. There are only two fifth year and two fourth year players on the 13 person lineup with only two remaining from the Bisons' 2013-14 U Sports championship squad (Caleigh Dobie and Sarah Klassen) that will allow more crucial minutes available to the younger players.

Off the court, long time Bison head coach Ken Bentley will be on a leave for this season and Jon Hykawy becomes head coach. Hykawy believes the depth will be shown as he has played all players during the pre-season to evaluate and give them court time that allows flexibility throughout the conference season.

The leadership of Dobie and Klassen, as they enter their fifth year, will be a huge asset to mentor the young squad.

Newcomers that will impress include co-captain and rookie Kearley Abbott. The first year player is a 5'11" right side hitter that played and was captain at St. Mary's Academy in Winnipeg over the last two seasons and earned numerous awards and won bronze medal with her sister at 20U Western Canada Summer Games. He identical twin sister Josie Abbott, is a 5'11" left side hitter that also played at St. Mary's Academy in Winnipeg and had numerous accolades and awards in her young playing career. In addition, Jocelyn Koswin is a 6'1" middle blocker that played at Garden City Collegiate and was a selected as a Graduating All-Star in the 2015 season. Darby Coughlin is a 5'9" right side hitter that also played at St. Mary's Academy in Winnipeg and was named one of the provincial tournament all-stars plus Graduating All-Star.

The goal is to make the playoffs for the Bisons and one of the ways is Hykawy believes the team will be a tough serving, energetic and athletic team that will help them battle during the very competitive Canada West conference in the 2016-17 season.