Veteran BU squad battles early injuries

The Brandon University Bobcats spent three years building towards this season.

Now it’s time to see if a group loaded with seniors can claw its way into the Canada West women’s volleyball playoffs after four straight last-place finishes.

The last year in Bobcat blue and gold for almost half of this team begins tonight against the UBC Okanagan Heat in Kelowna, B.C.

Brandon was ranked last out of 14 teams in the Canada West coaches poll, which was released on Thursday, and faces 11th-ranked UBCO before No. 12 MacEwan at home next weekend. Needless to say, at least one or two of those four contests are must-win matches.

“The first half and second half look similar, where we face some teams that are in our wheelhouse and we face some big teams,” said head coach Kailan Robinson, who recently returned from maternity leave.

“Momentum’s a big thing, right? Seeing hard work pay off builds momentum. Having those wins early on helps people believe, takes the pressure off a little bit and makes people believe we belong and deserve it.”

PRE-SEASON STRUGGLES

Robinson had her baby last spring, shortly after the Bobcats finished the regular season at 3-17.

Assistant coach Kelly DeRoo stepped in as interim head coach for six months, handling recruiting during club volleyball and most of the pre-season work this fall.

“She was really dedicated and helpful, and I’m so thankful for her taking on that role and following my systems and my vision for the year, allowing that transition to be easy instead of coming as a stranger and doing their own thing,” Robinson said.

BU battled a rap sheet of injuries. While setter Alex Roberge is close to full strength and ready to play after tearing her right ACL halfway through the 2024-25 season, attackers Georgia Johnson and Shaunti Gill are both still working back to full speed after shoulder surgeries.

All three middle blockers were out at the same time in the pre-season, as Brandon opted to cancel its trip to Thunder Bay, Ont., to face the Lakehead Thunderwolves and Winnipeg Wesmen in early October.

The Bobcats played in the University of Winnipeg tournament in September, seeing Wesmen and Manitoba Bisons split squads, along with a few other U Sports and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association teams.

They split with the Wesmen in a double-header at the Healthy Living Centre last weekend, winning the first match as the teams predominantly played backups.

“We ended in an OK place with how the Winnipeg split weekend went. I’m feeling pretty comfortable with our systems and all the work we’ve put into place up to that point,” Robinson said.

“We can see the potential for the future.”

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bobcats’ home-opening weekend is Oct. 30-31 against the MacEwan Griffins. They have a bye, then welcome the UBC Thunderbirds for homecoming weekend Nov. 13-14.

Brandon visits Mount Royal, then hosts Thompson Rivers on Nov. 27-28 to cap the first semester.

Though two of those home weekends feature powerhouses, with UBC ranked third in the coaches’ poll and TRU at second, BU has been a giant killer each of the past two campaigns.

Last season, it upset Trinity Western on a freezing Friday in January. In 2024-25, it took down Fraser Valley, which was ranked No. 2 in Canada at that point.

MRU is being evaluated as a fringe playoff team, creating another big opportunity for BU to snag an early win.

The second half starts with a new-look Manitoba squad on Jan. 15-16, then a bye before hosting Winnipeg on Jan. 29-30.

BU visits UFV, hosts Saskatchewan on Feb. 12-13, then closes the season at Regina on Feb. 19-20.

There’s a chance that last weekend is merely to determine who finishes at the bottom, but the Bobcats certainly hope it’s worth more.

“Every season, our goal has been playoffs. At the end of last season we talked, we could win out and make playoffs and we really thought that was possible for us,” Robinson said.

“So, why not playoffs? Ten out of 14 teams make it. We feel so close to getting out of that basement every season and showing glimpses. We can compete with UFV, Trinity (Western), these big teams … why can’t we compete in playoffs with them?”

LINEUP LOCKED IN

In contrast to the BU men’s team, which has a ton of depth and likelihood of starting jobs changing throughout the year, the women’s squad feels fairly set in stone.

However, quite a few players will likely play predetermined complementary roles within matches.

Robinson announced Roberge is the starting setter, but noted she may have both senior Grace Gallacher and rookie Kaitlyn Couckuyt spell her off for parts of sets.

“It’s tough when Grace is a little bit smaller, so depending on who we play, we might prefer to have a Kate in the front row,” Robinson said.

“It might be a mix of the three this season, but we hope and want to help Alex find confidence in the starting setter role.”

Maddy Shackleton — formerly Hettinga before getting married in the summer — and Steph Miller are slotted in as the two outside hitters.

Johnson still needs to show the power back is back in her recovering shoulder, while hometown rookie Zoe Redekop is making the adjustment to the U Sports game.

“We’re going to heavily rely on Maddy, and she knows that. Steph has all-around shown she’s ready in all her actions on the court, off the court; she’s a great P2,” Robinson said.

P2 refers to the second outside hitter, typically a more steady attacker and solid passer compared to the aggressive-hitting P1.

The Bobcats were supposed to have college transfer Amanda Onyeukwu in the mix as well, but the Italian import’s study permit expired and she’s in the process of having it renewed, Robinson said. Her goal is to return to practice later this semester and potentially play in January.

• • •

Injuries have been the story at middle blocker for BU.

Nerissa Dyer is out for opening weekend, with her status undetermined moving forward.

Megan Pickford and Alexa Parken missed time in the pre-season as well, but are back now. In the meantime, Robinson moved second-year Madison Steingart back to the middle after shifting her to opposite for her rookie year.

She’ll be the first off the bench if Pickford or Parken goes down.

• • •

Cassidy Hauta is the clear-cut starting opposite, and the only likely reason that could change is if Robinson swaps her and Miller for a different look.

“Cass is doing great, in my opinion. She’s doing great offensively. She does what we always wanted her to do,” Robinson said.

“As a passing right side, to be the best passer on the roster, it’s fantastic. She reaches high, has a big block, can shut down the best left sides in the league.”

• • •

Brooklyn Pratt will resume as the starting libero, with Robinson only including one on the starting rotation.

Third-year Eva Dooks is the backup, but has been a key serving sub for Brandon, and adding her number to the lineup card would remove the option of having her serve and defend for a weaker back-row player.

Rookie libero Hannah Flaman has opted to redshirt this year, which makes sense given the situation in front of her.

Pratt led Canada West in digs (271) and digs per set (3.82) last year, and will lead the Bobcats as a co-captain this season, along with Gallacher and Hauta.

“They’ve heard my expectations of them,” Robinson said. “I want them to lead with their actions, showing everyone around them that leaders can take on the small tasks … be prepared, set a good example and leave this program better than they found it.”

» tfriesen@brandonsun.com