(Photo courtesy Kodiaks Athletics, Lethbridge College)

By Justin Goulet

Surrey, B.C. hitter commits to Kodiaks women’s volleyball team

Jul 30, 2021 | 11:08 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A British Columbian has committed to the Lethbridge College Kodiaks.

Abby Sinclair of Surrey will suit up for the women’s volleyball team this upcoming season. The outside hitter joins the team after graduating from Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School and the Velocity Volleyball Club system. Kodiaks coach Anna Schwark said she can’t wait to get Abby in the gym this September.

“From watching her in-game and practice situations, it is so obvious that her work ethic is top tier. She has a great attitude and carries herself so maturely. She will be able to really challenge and push even the most motivated on our team, so I know she is going to make a big impact right way.”

Schwark said the multi-sport athlete will be able to adapt to new situations in practices and in games for the Kodiaks, “and she will have built physical strengths in areas that volleyball-specific athletes don’t always get to work on.”

“Abby will be training on the right side, which I think is the perfect place for her. She has great timing and a super heavy arm-swing. She can really put some heat on the ball when it all comes together.”

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After meeting with her new coaches virtually, Sinclair said she knew the team offered an ideal fit athletically, academically and logistically.

She said, “I’ve always wanted to leave for school, but I didn’t want to go too far. So, I feel like just a province over is like the next best thing.”

“I had one Zoom meeting with Anna and [Kodiaks assistant coach] Steve [Ivan] and I immediately clicked with them, it was something where I was like ‘wow, I really want to go here.’”

Sinclair was also connected with a pair of current Kodiaks women’s volleyball team members who helped seal the deal.

“The coaches connected me with Jamie [Brown] and Mac [Lewicki] too, and they were all really supportive and were really encouraging and welcoming. It was just an all-around really good experience.”

Sinclair considers herself a positive person, saying, “I’m always staying positive, always cheering on people and I’m also really competitive, so I try really hard.”

Coach Schwark believes Sinclair will fit seamlessly into the team’s style of play.

“With our system she will be able to put her passing skills to use, which is great because I think this is where she especially excels right now. She’s not afraid on defence and she is super scrappy and driven to get the ball up, so she’s really fun to watch. She has put in a lot of work to get to the point she is at now and I think that her hard work will absolutely pay off.”

Sinclair will enrol in Lethbridge College’s Child and Youth Care program this fall.