For Immediate Release: January 21, 2008
Verkuyl having surprise season
By Jordan Ercit
When Kristen Verkuyl arrived at Canadore College, volleyball was not necessarily the first thing on her mind.
While she had played on a club team in her hometown of Bowmanville, about an hour east of Toronto, and was interested in playing college volleyball, Verkuyl made a decision to head to Canadore last year mainly in pursuit of a Graphic Arts diploma with the added attraction of the college's small class sizes.
So for Verkuyl, the Panthers' leading scorer this season, her success has been a surprise.
"When I came to school I was saying 'oh college volleyball, I don't know if I'll be on the court the first year,'" said Verkuyl, who, as of Thursday, led the Panthers in kills (60), service aces (seven), points (72) and digs (57). "But I've played a lot of volleyball throughout my life, so it's definitely put me in a good spot."
Still searching for their first win of the OCAA volleyball season, Verkuyl and her Panthers teammates kicked off the second half of the league schedule this weekend, dropping a pair of home games to the Redeemer Royals Friday, and a 3-0 (25-12, 25-14, 25-16) sweep Saturday at the hands of the OCAA West Division leading Fanshawe Falcons at the Education Centre gym.
Rutherglen's Kayla Rose led the Panthers' attack with six points of total offence Saturday, while Verkuyl added five. Katie Seys, the OCAA's leading scorer in kills and points, topped all players with 15 kills and a service ace.
And even as the Falcons controlled most of the match against the Panthers, it didn't stop Verkuyl from enjoying her time on the court. Even after missing a dig Saturday, Verkuyl would get up and smile before her teammates for the next play.
"It's extremely important (to stay positive)," Verkuyl said. "If one person on the team gets upset, then other girls on the team look at her and feel the same way. It's hard to get pumped up when you're mad.
"It's all mental, so when you're mad you can't do much of anything." On the men's side, the Panthers men were also swept by the Falcons, but played the province's second-ranked team close, with three set scores of 30-28, 25-21 and 25-21.
Jeremy Tremblay led all players with 14 points (11 kills and three aces) while Teddy Bowcock of the Falcons recorded 12 total points.
"We have the potential to play with the best teams in the OCAA," Canadore head coach Mike Smith said in a release. "I'm happy with the outcome of this game. We gave it a good run."
