April 29, 2010

Burnaby, B.C. – Simon Fraser University Clan volleyball sophomore Kristjana Fridfinnson (Calgary, AB) has been selected by Volleyball Canada to participate at the 2010 National Women’s Open High Performance Camp from May 2-4, at the University of Manitoba. Selected athletes from the Open Camp will have the opportunity to stay for the official Volleyball Canada 2010 Selection Camp, which is scheduled for May 5-8.



"We are excited that Kristjana will have the opportunity to participate in the National Team Open High Performance Camp,” said SFU head coach Lisa Sulatycki upon hearing the news. “She will be exposed to the National Team coaching staff and program, plus she will have the opportunity to train with top volleyball players from across Canada. It will only enhance her volleyball experience and development as an athlete. The National Team head coach, Arnd Ludwig, ran a practice last season and liked [Kristjana’s] quickness and speed as a middle blocker."



Fridfinnson finished the 2009-10 season as one of two players on the Clan to start in all 20 of SFU’s regular season games, finishing the year averaging 1.56 kills per game and posting an attack percentage of .176. She also finished the year as Simon Fraser’s blocking leader, averaging 0.91 blocks per game.



“It’s crazy, I am incredibly excited about being selected,” said Fridfinnson. “There is also some nervous energy around attending the camp as well, just because of how talented the athletes are that will be attending. I’m also relatively young in comparison to a number of the athletes; they have significantly more experience than I do, but to be able to attend the camp and compete at the same level as everyone invited is an honour.”



Fridfinnson was third on Simon Fraser in total points in 2009-10 with a 2.20 per game average, behind only fifth-year seniors Krystyna Adams and Colleen Douville, and states that she does not want to get ahead of herself when thinking about this opportunity.



“I’m not looking past this weekend, I just want to go in and play hard, learn as much as I can, meet new people and see what comes of it,” said Fridfinnson. “I’m looking forward to the feedback I will get from the camp, and utilizing that information for the upcoming SFU season. I want this camp to make me a better all-around player, and it might sound cliché, but being selected has given me a confidence boost, and has opened my eyes about the potential of reaching that next level.”



Athletes attending the 2010 Open High Performance Camp (May 2-4) include:

Alex Basso, BC, UBC Okanagan

Brina Derksen-Bergen, BC, University of British Columbia

Jillian Blanchard, NB, University of New Brunswick

Vanessa Chorkawy, ON, Lakehead University

Beth Clark, SK, University of Regina

Dana Cranston, BC, Colorado State University

Courtney Dawson, AB, Dinos 18U Club

Jaclyn Ellis, AB, University of Alberta

Kristjana Fridfinsson, AB, Simon Fraser University

Valerie Lemay, QC, Astrelles of Abitibi-Temiscamingue College

Katie Matthews, ON, Queen's University

Tricia Mayba, MB, University of Manitoba

Colleen Ogilvie, AB, Queen's University

Michelle Pierce, ON, University of Windsor

Tiffany Proudfoot, AB, University of Alberta

Anjelli Reyes, AB

Sonia Rossy, MB, University of Winnipeg

Lindsay Russell, BC, University of Calgary

Jamie Thibault, AB, University of Montana

Emilie Toone, Utah, Calcit Kamnik, Slovenia

Krista Zubick, AB, University of Alberta



Open High Performance Camp (May 2-4) Schedule:

Sun, May 2 9am-12noon Testing University of Manitoba Brown & Gold Gyms

3pm-6pm Session #1 University of Manitoba Brown & Gold Gyms

Mon, May 3 9am-12noon Session #2 University of Manitoba Investors Group Athletic Centre

3pm-6pm Session #3 University of Manitoba Investors Group Athletic Centre

Tue, May 4 9am-12noon Session #4 University of Manitoba Investors Group Athletic Centre

3pm-6pm Session #5 University of Manitoba Investors Group Athletic Centre



Courtesy:


Scott McLean, BBA, MSA
Media, Broadcast and Sports Information Director
Simon Fraser University Clan Athletics
"Thinking of the World"
Office: 778-782-4057
Cell: 604-505-5519
Email: srmclean@sfu.ca