LANGLEY, B.C. – The Spartans women's volleyball team is turning the page and, with a new-look lineup, will open this year's Canada West regular season with a fresh-faced group, but one still has its eyes set on contending for a championship.

SEASON PREVIEW
RYAN HOFER
On the upcoming season
“This year, we're reinventing ourselves. We have to reinvent how we are going to play volleyball and how we're going to score points. We're reinventing our culture and reinventing how we're going to play ball.

“Because we have so much newness out there, we're going to have to learn how to play together. Our veteran players are going to have to learn how to lead this new group. We're altering how we're going to look and how we're going to play. A lot of the style is the same, but there are a lot of new things going on. But the bottom line is that we are making sure we have a culture where we have a safe place to learn and I think as the season goes on, we're going to see that this team has a lot of potential.”

SETTERS
With the departure of setter Nikki Cornwall, third-year Brie O'Reilly (Langley) will take over setting duties this year, as she looks to help lead a young Spartans side. In her first two years with the Spartans, O'Reilly played a number of different roles, contributing, at various times, as a libero, an outside hitter and as a setter. This season, she'll aim to orchestrate a new-look offence and help her team take the first steps in a new phase of Spartans volleyball. First-year Dora Komlodi (Calgary) is TWU's back-up setter.

OUTSIDE HITTERS
With the departure of both Elly Wendel and Sophie Carpentier, the Spartans will have a different look to their attack this season. However, with a variety of options for coach Ryan Hofer, TWU is in good shape to move in a new direction. Second-year Hilary Howe (Calgary) will likely play a major role with this year's team, as will Linda Damerau (Furthen, Germany), who comes to TWU after playing professionally in Germany for several years. Those two will be joined by Ashtyn McKenzie (Vernon, B.C.), who is moving from middle to outside, and Micayle Pucilowski (Kelowna, B.C.), with all four vying for starting roles.

MIDDLES
Katelyn Devaney (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) is back for her fifth year of eligibility and she will be one of TWU's on-court leaders. Last year, she was fifth in Canada West with 1.04 blocks per set and she will provide a calming veteran presence on the court. With Kristin Anton (Prince George, B.C.) back after taking a year off along with the likes of Alison Quiring (Brandon, Man.), first-year Avery Heppell (Langley) and Jessica Bailey (Surrey) all fighting for playing time, TWU has several strong options in the middle.

LIBEROS
Veteran Rachel Flink (Surrey) will solidify the Spartans defence as she looks primed to pick up right where she left off after a solid 2016-17 season. Last year, which was her first season back after a major knee injury, she averaged 2.46 digs per set. This year, she has the potential to be one of the best liberos in the conference. Second-year Alexis Jonker (Surrey) is an ever-improving back-up who will help push Flink.

BY THE NUMBERS
2016 CW regular season record: 21-3, 2nd
2016 post-season record (CW and U SPORTS combined): 5-2, 3rd CW, 3rd U SPORTS

Last CW championship / total CW championships (if no championships, list highest previous finish): 2016 / 2
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships (if no championships, list highest previous finish): 2015 / 1

2016-17 CW regular season ranks:
Points per set: 17.9, 1st
Kills per set: 12.86, 1st
Hitting percentage: .238, 1st

2016-17 CW regular season leaders:
Kills: 350 – Sophie Carpentier, Left Side
Digs: 204 – Rachel Flink, Libero
Blocks: 86 – Katelyn Devaney, Middle
Aces: 48 – Sophie Carpentier, Left Side
Assists: 879 – Nikki Cornwall, setter

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Linda Damerau / OH / 1 / Furthen, Germany / SV Lohhof
Kristin Anton / M / 3 / Prince George, B.C. / TWU Spartans
Avery Heppell / OH / 1 / Langley, B.C. / Langley Fundamental
Ansah Odoom / OH / 1 / Surrey, B.C. / Lord Tweedsmuir
Dora Komlodi / S / 1 / Calgary / Holy Trinity Academy

Key losses (name / position / hometown / years with program):
Elly Wendel / RS / Caronport, Sask. / 4
Sophie Carpentier / LS / Ottawa / 5
Nikki Cornwall / S / Coquitlam, B.C. / 4

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