X-Women VBall unveil 2008 line-up

X-Women volleyball head coach Michelle Aucoin (third season) is proud to unveil the 2008-09 edition of the X-Women volleyball squad. The X-women will be led by second year left side and team captain Catherine Thornton (#3).  In her rookie year Catherine made an immediate impact on the program being named the team’s Rookie of the Year and co-MVP.  Catherine, an Arts student from Kobe, Japan, also excelled in the classroom being named an Academic All-Canadian.  Catherine is currently sidelined with a knee injury but is working hard on her rehabilitation to get her back into the action.

The only fifth year athlete with the X-Women is Assistant Captain, Laura Machowski (#5). Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, Laura is in her first year of a Bachelor of Education program and is ready to leave her mark on the program in this her final year of eligibility.  Laura’s natural athleticism, work ethic and improved consistency are going to see her stabilize a very young squad.

Third year Allison Duggan (#12) has stepped into a leadership role with the X-Women having been named an assistant captain.  This business student from Antigonish, Nova Scotia comes into the season having worked extremely hard on her fitness & strength over the summer.  Allison will assume a new duty as a middle blocker and her hard work over the summer months is going to serve her well.

Myla Boudreau (#4) is a Left Side / Right Side player. A native of Richmond, Cape Breton, Myla is in her 3rd year with the X-Women and is studying a Bachelor of Arts in Human Kinetics.  Myla continues to be one of the fittest and hardest working members of the X-Women and with her increased experience & versatility, look for Myla to have an important role this season with the team.

Returning to the X-Women after a year away from volleyball is PEI native Megan MacDonald (#15).  This former Academic All-Canadian is finishing off her Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics and may have been away from the court for a year – but she has not skipped a beat.  Megan’s positive attitude, work ethic and experience will have an immediate impact with the X-Women.  It is great to see her return to the Blue & White.

Libero Megan Pothier (#2) from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia returns to the X-Women in top physical condition.  A solid performer for the X-Women last year as a rookie, although plagued by injury, this second year Arts Student will look to build on her experience from last year and quarterback the teams Serve Receive and Defense.

Halifax native Layla Calvi (#1) rounds out the “veterans” on the team.  This second year middle blocker gained a tremendous amount of experience last year as a rookie and is ready to build on that to become a solid performer for the X-Women.  This Arts student is the tallest X-Women, standing at 6’2” and wants to make her presence known around the league.

British Columbia native Jessica Nichols (#10) transferred to StFX after Christmas last year after spending a season in the NCAA.  This business student becomes eligible to wear the blue & white mid November and her high skill level and experience will be an asset to the X-Women. 

The X-Women welcome seven new student athletes to the team.  Leading the way for the rookies are Katherine Ryan, Heather Isenor and Stephanie Bullock, all who should have an immediate impact with the X-Women and challenge for starting positions. 

Katherine Ryan (#6) is studying a Bachelor of Arts and comes from Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Katherine has been a member of the youth National team, 2005 Canada Games team and various successful club, high school and provincial team programs.  Most recently, this past summer, Katherine competed for Nova Scotia on the 2009 Canada Games core team and was one of 30 athletes selected to try-out for Canada’s U-18 National Team.  Katherine joins the team in top physical condition and her tremendous work ethic and desire to excel will allow her to have an immediate impact with the X-Women.

Heather Isenor (#11) hails from the successful Dr. John Hugh Gillis High School and Stoirm club program in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.  Heather has a wealth of volleyball experience through her high school, club and provincial team participation.  This BSc in Human Kinetics student is a fierce competitor who has come into the program in top physical condition and is working extremely hard to have an immediate impact and become the quarterback of the X-Women.  

Stephanie Bullock (#9) also hails from the successful Dr. John Hugh Gillis High School and Stoirm club program in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.  This business student also spent her summer representing Nova Scotia on the 2009 Canada Games team and has worked very hard to put herself in a position to battle for court time from day one.

Jaclyn Phillips (#4) is a Right Side hitter. A native of St.John, New Brunswick, this Academic All Canadian played Rugby last year for the CIS runners up.  Making the transition to Volleyball, this Bachelor of Arts student is extremely athletic, dedicated and hard working and the team will look to gain upon the experience she gained being part of the very successful X-Women Rugby program. 

Setter Erica Moore (#7) is a first year setter with the X-women, hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia and studying a Bachelor of Science.  Erica has a tremendous amount of experience at the provincial team, high school & club level where she won numerous titles and all-star recognitions. 

Rounding out a strong core of first year players to the program is Bathurst, New Brunswick native Lauren Ellis (#13).  A former New Brunswick provincial team player, this Bachelor of Science student is a well skilled, fit student athletes who understands what it takes to be successful.

Leah McInnis returns for her third season as an assistant coach while Sasho MacKenzie returns for his second season.  Leah returns to X as a full time student and fresh off Head coaching the Nova Scotia provincial under 16 boys to a Championship at the Eastern Elite Volleyball Championships this past summer.  Sasho, a professor in the Human Kinetics Department has extensive experience as a successful athlete and coach at the university level.  Winning medals in the CIS in both track and field and Volleyball, Sasho’s expertise has been a tremendous asset to the team.  Sasho is responsible for the teams off court training program and works one on one with members of the X-Women. 

Ainslee Cassidy returns to the team for her second year as the athletic therapist.  Ainslee is very knowledgeable, takes great care of the girls and is a very valued member of the team.  

Head Coach Michelle Aucoin begins her third year with the X-Women volleyball program. She had the opportunity to spend six weeks with the Canadian National Junior team this past summer and comments, "I am excited to use my experience with that team as we continue to build a championship volleyball program at StFX. I am very excited about our group of new & returning athletes and staff that make up our X family."

The X-Women open exhibition play this weekend as they participate in the Saint Mary's Invitational tournament in Halifax Oct. 3-5. Other teams participating include Saint Mary's, Dalhousie, Moncton and Acadia.