Volleyball Canada has announced the Women's Next Gen program athletes, who will be based in Richmond, BC, at the National Training Centre until mid-August. Two Bisons have earned the honour, in libero Julia Arnold and left and right side Raya Surinx.

The pair are coming off an incredible 2023-24 season that saw the Bisons win their first medal at nationals, a bronze, in a decade.

This will be Arnold's first time representing her country. She led Canada West with 347 digs in the regular season, adding 108 in the playoffs, which also led the conference. The defensive specialist is already second in the modern-era in career digs at Manitoba, with 1064, just 268 shy of Cassie Bujan's 1332. She is also one of just three Bisons to ever record 1000 career digs in the modern era.

Meanwhile, Surinx will don the red and white for a second straight summer with the Next Gen program. She led the nation in kills (388) and kills per set (4.85), despite missing the last two regular season games with injury. The versatile hitter was also named Player of the Year, becoming the youngest student-athlete in program history to earn the honour. In just two seasons, Surinx' 855 career kills are already fourth-most in the modern era, and 19th in school history.

Volleyball Canada's NextGen Program is an important part of our Women's Senior National Team and is viewed as the entry point for anyone aspiring to play for Canada. The aim of the program is to create a sustainable podium pathway for indoor women's volleyball by developing world-class athletes who contribute to the performance of the Women's National Team and help propel Canada beyond the current successes, to Olympic qualifications and podium performances.  

Competition opportunities include the 2024 Pan Am Final Six in the Dominican Republic June 24-30, and the 2024 Pan Am Cup in Mexico in August.

2024 Canada Next Gen Roster

SETTERS: 

Averie Allard, Winnipeg, MB
Bella Noble, Chester, NS

LIBEROS: 

Julia Arnold, Winnipeg, MB
Delaney Watson, St. Jacobs, ON

OUTSIDES/OPPOSITES:

Jasmine Rivest, Montreal, QC
Gabrielle Attieh. Surrey, BC
Abby Guezen, Sherwood Park, AB
Thana Fayad, Victoria, BC
Mady Saris, Burlington, ON
Emoni Bush, Campbell River, BC
Raya Surinx, Winnipeg, MB
Lucy Borowski, Vancouver, BC

MIDDLES: 

Kaylee Plouffe, Sherwood Park, AB
Nyadholi Thokbuom, Calgary, AB
Avery Heppell, Langley, BC
Emma Boyd, Whitehorse, YT
Jess Andrews, Guelph, ON
Grace Calnan, Dartmouth, NS