One of the top senior high school volleyball players in the valley has decided to keep her skills right at home.
Rutland Senior Secondary product Eric Drew has committed to the UBC Okanagan Heat women’s squad for the 2013-14 Canada West season.
Drew, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker with the Voodoos, was a past members of the Junior Heat volleyball program and has been watched closely over the years by UBCO head coach Steve Manuel.
“Erin is a dynamic athlete that has developed into a very solid player,” Manuel said. “She moves well, is fast, with a quick arm, all great attributes for a middle blocker.”
A senior girls all-star at the Okanagan Valley AAAA championships in 2012, Drew already has a foundation for the poise and experience needed for dealing with the spotlight and expectations she will face at the CIS level. She will join an already formidable pair of third year middle blockers in Katy Klomps and Katie Wuttunee
“But look for Erin to make her mark before too long,” adds Manuel who likes Erin’s athletic ability and sees her demeanor as another of her strong assets.
“We like her competitiveness along with the calm presence that she brings to the court. At the rate she has been developing, we expect that she will have a very successful career in a Heat uniform.”
Erin has been accepted to the Bachelor of Science program and is excited for what she has a called a “great school” academically. The RSS product hopes to translate her high school academic success into her university career. She has been a consistent 4.0 GPA student who scored a 5 on her Biology AP exam.
Drew said UBC Okanagan was her “number one choice” after having lived in Kelowna and having watched the team a lot at home on UBC’s Okanagan campus. Although she has experience with Steve through the Junior Heat, Drew said she’s excited to suit up for real under the reigning CIS coach of the year, who helped guide the team to its first ever Canada West playoff berth in only its second season in the CIS.
Erin is also already keen on what she thinks she can bring as an immediate impact for the squad next season:
“For middle, I think my defense is good and I am able to see the court and the block well when hitting. I feel have the potential to improve my game, having only played competitively for three club seasons. Off the court, I hope to build good friendships with the team and have a fun season.”
Erin is the second recruit Manuel has inked for next season, as she will be joining the Heat next fall with Michelle Jakszuk, an outside hitter from Gibsons.The roster is nearly full the two recruits and with Chandler Proch rejoining the squad after missing last season with an injury. The team looks to utilize the new talent and build on its playoff run next season as they are only set to lose Alex Basso to graduation.
