The Bisons women's volleyball team continues to build for the future, announcing the commitment of class of 2027-28 standouts Talia Hull and Sydney Boughton.
Hull is a 6'0" outside hitter from Edmonton, AB with a tremendous list of accolades. A member of the Pandas Volleyball Club, she was a U17 national champion and earned a silver medal at the Tier 2 U16 level. Hull was also a provincial club champion at the U14 level.
The captain of her PVC team, and co-captain for her senior varsity squad at Ross Sheppard, Hull was selected to Canada's National Development Centre Canada Select team as one of the top players at her position in the country. A multi-sport athlete who also plays soccer, she is an honour roll student and has been named MVP in the past for Team Alberta.
The first time I met [Bisons head coach] Ken [Bentley]. he presented me with the six values of the Bison team culture. I knew right then that this team was special and aligned with the goals I set for myself as a volleyball player. After visiting campus in July and seeing the competitive drive of the players and the atmosphere that they have created I knew I wanted to be a Bison," she said.
"I could not have gotten this far without my amazing coaches along the way, and my family who has always been in my corner. I am so excited and grateful for this opportunity and my future in volleyball. I cannot wait to become a part of the Herd!"
"As we look to build our roster in 2027, Talia and I began to have some discussions about her post-secondary future and we quickly came together with the same vision for that future," said head coach Ken Bentley.
"Talia fits Bisons volleyball -- she is tenacious, she competes at a high level and is already proving to be an excellent six rotation player. I appreciate that she is forward thinking and wholly focused on doing the work to prepare herself for our level of play."
Boughton is a 5'8" libero from Stonewall, MB who's made a name for herself at the club and high school levels. The co-captain of her high school team at Sturgeon Heights, Boughton has been an MHSAA champion on the court, as well as in beach volleyball. She was also a provincial champion at the club level with Junior Bisons Gold in 2025.
In 2024 as a captain, Boughton earned Volleyball Manitoba Provincial championship and MVP recognition, and was also an MHSAA Provincial All-Star. She was also named Sturgeon Heights' Outstanding Player in 2024-25.
An honour roll student, she has a connection to the University of Manitoba, as her dad is an alum.
"I'm really excited for the opportunity to join the team and play for Coach Ken while I continue my academics at U of M," Boughton said.
"I look forward to taking the next step in my journey as a student-athlete."
"Sydney is another 2027 commit that brings top level athleticism to the Herd," added Bentley.
"She sees the play before others by having a nose for the ball and seems to be ahead by one step in every rally. I have seen Sydney over the past two years in club volleyball and her quickness and ability to cover the floor became apparent immediately. She is a solid six rotation player and fits perfectly for the libero position."
