WINNIPEG -- The Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame announced the class of 2022 yesterday, revealing the five individuals and one team who will be inducted into their hallowed halls this year. Among the inductees is former Bisons volleyball standout and current assistant coach Michelle Sawatzky-Koop. The others are Don Baizley, Halldor Bjarnason, Andrea Ferguson, Patrick Jebbison and the 1990 Winnipeg Blue Bombers. 

Born in Steinbach, Sawatzky-Koop graduated from Steinbach Regional Secondary School in 1988 and was their Athlete of the Year. She was the starting setter for the University of Manitoba from 1988-93 and led the Bisons to three CIAU national titles and two bronze medals during her university career. She was also named GPAC All-Star and All-Canadian several times, and was the CIAU Player of the Year in both 1991 and 1992.

On the international stage, she competed in the World Student Games in the early 90s and finished third twice at the NORCECA Championships. In 1995, she won silver at the Canada Cup and bronze at the Pan Am Games. She also helped Canada qualify for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, where they finished ninth and she was the only setter in Canadian women's volleyball history to win three sets and a match (over Peru) at an Olympic Games.