Women's Volleyball announces major signings
Vancouver Island University Mariner Women's Volleyball team is excited to announce two more major signings for the 2021/22 season.
The newest player to join the Mariner squad is Sophie Krupp (left in photo). Sophie is a 5 foot 11 outside hitter. Sophie has been playing high level volleyball since she started with the u14 Canuck Stuff Volleyball Club. She will be graduating from Bishop Grandin High School in Calgary, Alberta. For the past 2 years Sophie has been a member of the Calgary Dino's Volleyball Club. Her athleticism and the ability to end rallies will make Sophie an important part of the already powerful Mariner line-up. Sophie was a division 1 soccer player before she chose to pursue volleyball full time. Her athletic ability is matched with her strong work ethic in the classroom. Sophie has been achieving honors with distinction throughout her junior and senior years of schooling. Sophie's academic pursuits include Biology, Medicine, and Psychology. Head coach Shane Hyde commented, "We are very excited to have a player of Sophie's caliber join our program. She will bring size and offence along with a strong work ethic. From the zoom calls and discussions, I have had with her, I feel like she will fit in well with our group. Sophie will bring depth and solidify our roster on the outside."
The Mariners are also very excited to announce the signing of Andjela Dikic (right in photo). Andjela is a 6-foot-2 middle blocker from Serbia. Andjela has been playing volleyball since she was 8 years old. She started her training with her hometown club of Fortuna and eventually moved to her current club, Sumadija. Her team has been one of the top clubs in Serbia for many years and she has been recognized as the top middle blocker in the league. After high school in Serbia, Andjela was offered a NCAA Division 1 scholarship to play in the USA, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions, she decided to stay home and take the year off to train. After a year off and with a new plan in place Andjela is excited to start her career in Canada and with the VIU Mariners.
Coach Shane Hyde had this to say about their new addition to the Mariners. "Andjela brings an incredible offensive threat to the middle. She has the ability to control a match with her offense and she is one of the biggest blockers we will have on our team. Her game reminds me of former Mariner star Taylor Wickson. I am so excited to have Andjela join our group of middles. She will create more balance on the team, and I feel that she will evolve into one of the top middles in the country. With the addition of Andjela in the middle it will allow us to be more creative with our current line-up. Our starting line-up will be huge!"
The VIU Mariner Women's Volleyball team is excited to start up this September. After taking a year off due to the pandemic, they are eager to start their quest to defend their national Championship and try for a 4th consecutive CCAA National Championship.