Shanice Marcelle was a reluctant participant when first invited to try volleyball in Grade 5 at McKenzie Elementary School.
But look where it led.
The standout from Victoria solidified her claim as one of the greatest female volleyball players in CIS history by being named Canadian university of player of the year for the second time in three years.
The UBC Thunderbirds鈥� dominant fifth-year outside hitter was also named a CIS first-team all-star for the third consecutive year in the awards announced Wednesday.
Marcelle was recruited out of Spectrum Community School by Doug Reimer, the former UVic Vikes volleyball coach who has myriad Island connections. It was one of his best catches. It has been a remarkable partnership under Reimer鈥檚 guidance, with Marcelle going for her fifth CIS title this weekend at the national championships taking place in Sherbrooke, Que.
鈥�'Shanice has had a fantastic season and an outstanding career,鈥� said Reimer, in a statement.
鈥淪hanice is an incredible all-around player as she does every aspect of the game so well. Her attacking is often what gets the wow factor but what is impressive is how skilled she is in all areas, both front and back court. She has been a pleasure to coach and I know she will continue to leave a legacy wherever she plays in the future.鈥�
That will likely be internationally. Marcelle competed in the 2011 World University Games and is a member of the Canadian national team indoor and beach programs, with the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics a definite possibility.
Meanwhile, Jenna Bugiardini of the UVic Vikes was named sa国际传媒 West women's basketball rookie of the year and graduating standout Debbie Yeboah a sa国际传媒 West first-team all-star for the third season running.
The emerging Bugiardini, a Hamilton native, cracked the top-five in Vikes scoring with a 5.6 points-per-game average in her first season of university hoops.
And what more can be said of Yeboah, the spiritual core of the Vikes program for the last five seasons? Yeboah closed out her career with a heroic performance last Saturday in Regina, where she carried the Vikes to a near-upset of nationally second-ranked Regina in a conference quarter-final playoff game.
The native of Winnipeg again led UVic in scoring this season and graduates with 1,469 career points and 436 rebounds.
National-team player Kris Young of UBC was named sa国际传媒 West MVP.
