May 13, 2010

By Ramesh Ranjan – SFU Clan media relations student assistant

Burnaby, B.C. – The Simon Fraser University Clan women’s volleyball program announced today the commitment of four recruits to the team for the 2010-11 season. Kelsey Robinson (Surrey, B.C.), Madeline Hait (Burnaby, B.C.), Jennifer Neilson (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) and Angela Richards (Shawnigan Lake, B.C.) are a part of SFU head coach Lisa Sulatycki’s recruiting class as the Clan move to the NCAA Division II and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference next season.



Robinson, Hait, Neilson and SFU recruit Alanna Chan all played together for Focus Volleyball and won the Under-16 and Under-17 Provincial Championships.



“Their club has consistently been a top team in the province and it is great to see that they have experience playing together,” said Sulatycki. “That will make it much easier for this group to gel, knowing that they are playing with familiar players.”



Robinson, a two-time provincial club champion (2007 and 2009) led Clayton Heights Secondary to their first AAAA Senior Girls High School Championship appearance in 2009, where she earned a second team all-star. In 2007, Robinson was named the club tournament’s MVP and in 2009 she was named an all-star at the club provincials.



“Kelsey is a positive role model and a leader,” said Sulatycki of Robinson. “She expects excellence on the court and in the classroom. She inspires her teammates and brings out the best in them.”



Robinson will be going into the Faculty of Science, general sciences but has not yet decided on a major.



“I had been considering SFU for a long time but I was waiting for some kind of sign to prove to me it was the right place for me,” said Robinson. “I look forward to competing in the NCAA with my new teammates as well as three other players from my current club team.”



Hait, currently a middle for Burnaby Central Secondary, consistently led her team to the AAAA Senior Girls High School Tournament. Her club team won both the Under-16 and Under-17 championships.



“Madeline has potential at the university level,” said Sulatycki. “She is a shorter middle but her athletic ability allows her to battle in that position. She is quick, strong and a solid jumper.”



Neilson, a right side and team captain for Riverside Secondary in Port Coquitlam, placed fourth at the 2009 AAAA Senior Girls High School Provincial Championships and was a first team all-star. She was also a first team all-star at the 2008 BC AAAA Senior Girls High School Provincial Championships.



“Jennifer is a leader and a competitor,” said Sulatycki of Neilson. “Her teammates look to her to get the job done during the critical moment of the match and she plays with pure passion and joy for the game.”



Neilson will be pursuing a degree in Health Sciences or Psychology in hopes of becoming a nutritionist or sports psychologist one day.



“Why I chose SFU is not only because academics are important to me, but being able to play volleyball is a huge priority as well,” said Neilson. “It's an honour to have been chosen for this team, and playing with some current teammates and girls I have known for years will only make the transition better.”



Richards is currently a leftside for Frances Kelsey Secondary in Shawnigan Lake and was a 2009 AAAA Senior Girls High School Provincial Championship all-star.



“Angela is an athlete, she has great all around skills and is the go to player for both her club team and high school team,” added Sulatycki of Richards. “She has solid court presence and passion for the game.”



Simon Fraser University will officially move into the NCAA in 2010-11, becoming the first Canadian institution to join the NCAA, and will become a part of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC).


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