In the end, there was only one real choice for Siobhan Fitzpatrick.
The 6-foot-1 power hitter from Immaculata Regional High School has decided to play volleyball and pursue her post secondary education right in her own backyard—at UBC Okanagan.
Fitzpatrick has signed on with Steve Manuel’s Heat women’s volleyball squad for the 2013-14 Canada West season.
“There were others I applied to and was accepted at, but I only wanted to carry on with volleyball if I had the chance to do it at UBCO,” said Fitzpatrick, who is a Vancouver native but has lived most of her life in Kelowna. “I have been coached by Becki (Kosinski, Heat assistant) previously in club and have known Steve through Centre of Excellence…and through Junior Heat club volleyball.”
Fitzpatrick was a key figure in Immaculata’s silver-medal effort at the B.C. A girls high school championship in 2012.
In addition to developing her game with Brian Drosdovech’s Mustangs the past three seasons, Fitzpatrick also honed her skills with the Junior Heat and Centre of Excellence.
“I have learned so much from both of (Junior Heat and Center of Excellence) and am looking forward to developing under their leadership,” she said. “The UBCO players I have had the chance to meet and/or scrimmage with have all been very kind and welcoming and that helped make my decision all the easier.”
Head coach Steve Manuel has watched Fitzpatrick’s progress for several years and is happy to bring the Immaculata product on board.
“The extra training and developmental time is invaluable for local volleyball players and provides us an opportunity to work closely with them, this is how we know that Siobhan will be a great fit in our program,” said Manuel. “It’s because she has been with us, in a way, for a few years already.”
Siobhan will be entering the Bachelor of Science program and has been designated a Chancellor’s Scholar for her high school academic achievement.
Rutland’s Erin Drew and Fitzpatrick are two Junior Heat members that will graduate to the varsity Heat squad this fall.
