X-Women volleyball lands 6'2 middle blocker in Jessica Roberts

Antigonish, NS—StFX X-Women volleyball head coach Michelle Aucoin is pleased to announce that Calgary native Jessica Roberts has committed to joining the team for the 2010-11 season. 

“We are absolutely thrilled to have Jessica joining us next year,” comments Aucoin, the reigning AUS Coach of the Year who led the X-Women to their first ever AUS conference final this past season. “She hails from one of the top volleyball clubs in the country, has had an extremely successful volleyball experience to date, and has received great coaching.” 

“Jessica epitomizes the term ‘student athlete’ and will have an immediate impact on our program. We are really looking forward to having her on campus in September.”

Roberts, a 6’2” middle blocker who hails from Calgary, will graduate from Rundle College this spring where she has had a very successful athletic career, leading her team to impressive finishes in the Alberta high school provincial championships. 

“By her senior season, Jessica was a leader and dominant force on the court and is now achieving one of her top goals - competing in the CIS,” commented Rundle College head coach Taryn Cossar. “She loves a challenge and refuses to back down from anything. She has grown into a mature, compassionate, and self-aware young lady, who recognizes how to contribute positively to any team. StFX is very fortunate to have her join their program.”

Roberts is enrolled in the BSc Human Kinetics program at StFX for 2010-11 and has been a member of Team Alberta, competing in many national championships. She also plays with the Dinos Volleyball Club out of Calgary where she is currently a member of their U18 team, a top contender to win a national U18 championship this season. In 2009, Roberts was a member of the Dinos U17 team that captured a national silver medal.  

Dinos head coach Tracy Keats commented, “Jessica is a strong, composed athlete who continually pushes herself to be better in both individual skills and team components. Throughout the past two years, she has improved greatly in levels of fitness and dynamic ability as a middle blocker, which have allowed her to excel at the elite club volleyball level. As a person, Jess is a caring, compassionate and welcoming teammate. She is driven and hard working in all aspects of her life, and therefore finds incredible success in both academics and athletics while balancing close family and social relationships as well. I am confident that Jessica will fit seamlessly into her new home at StFX University and will continue on her path of becoming an outstanding volleyball player in the CIS.”

As for Roberts herself, she is looking forward to joining the X-Women program, stating “I am really excited about coming to StFX in the fall and looking forward to a great experience as a student-athlete. Coach Aucoin made me feel that StFX is the place where I can achieve my goals, so I hope to bring leadership and a positive attitude onto the court and the classroom.”