Brandon Products Commit to the Bobcats

posted February 28, 2012

BRANDON, MB – A trio of Brandon high school stand-outs have committed to play for the Brandon University Bobcats women’s volleyball team beginning next season.

Crocus Plains products Jodie Baker and Mary Thomson as well as soon to be Vincent Massey grad Gillian Leech have verbally committed and now signed official letters of intent to join the BU Athletics program.

“We have such a strong local contingent of talented volleyball players in our region and it’s great to keep these athletes right here in Brandon,” says head coach Lee Carter. “Having them stay here helps build our program, which is what our goal has always been. In doing so it helps grow the sport even more in Brandon and all of Manitoba.”

Baker is an all-around athlete, having excelled at not only volleyball, but also played high level basketball and softball. The 6’2 middle has played for the Crocus Plains Plainsmen senior girls volleyball and basketball teams for the past two seasons. Jodie is the younger sister of Kellie, a current third-year Bobcat, and daughter of Deb, who played basketball for the Bobcats in the 1980’s.

“I’m really looking forward to playing with my sister next year,” says Baker. “I’ve gotten to know some of the girls on the team through Kellie and since my sister went to BU a lot of people assumed I would too. Her being here already is definitely one the biggest reasons I want to be a Bobcat.”

Thomson also has family ties to the Brandon Bobcats. Both her parents (Don and Jennifer) played basketball for BU in the 1980’s. The 5’10 left-side/setter has been a member of the Crocus Plains senior girls volleyball and basketball teams since she was in grade 10.

“I think it’s going to be an awesome experience,” says Thomson. “I feel that I’ve found a really good opportunity. It’s the best fit for what I want to do in terms of going to university and hopefully playing a full five years of volleyball.”

Thomson has also played volleyball in the past with a current Bobcat, fellow Crocus Plains grad Meaghan Robertson.

Leech has led the Vincent Massey senior varsity girls volleyball team for the past two seasons. The 5’10 left-side is currently a member of the U18 Storm club team, and was a member of the provincial team that won silver at Western Elites and the Western Canada Games.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to play for the Bobcats,” says Leech, “It’s a little bit nerve-racking to play at such a high-level and playing on a new team, but I know it will be a lot of fun. Playing here in Brandon will be great. I’ve lived here all of my life and it will be comfortable playing with people I’ve played with before.”

All three recruits have experience playing together, as they are all products of the U18 Storm club volleyball team based in Brandon, which is led by Bobcats assistant coach Derek Richels.

For more information visit: www.gobobcats.ca | www.facebook.com/bubobcats | www.twitter.com/bubobcats
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For more information, please contact:

Lee Carter
Women’s Volleyball Head Coach
Brandon University
(204) 727-7348
carterl@brandonu.ca

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