Kim Bauder is set to soar with the Memorial University Sea-hawks.
The all-star left-side hitter is off to St. John’s in the fall after a stellar high school career with the Langley Fundamental Titans.
The Titans finished second at the B.C. senior girls AA provincial championships, with Bauder earning all-star accolades. She was also an all-star after helping Langley Fundamental win the Fraser Valley banner.
Bauder also captained her club team with the Fraser Valley Volleyball Club the past four seasons.
In addition to club and high school volleyball, Bauder has spent the past two years practising at a Volleyball Canada Centre of Excellence training centre. This would be done in the mornings before school.
She was drawn to the sport after her older siblings were playing volleyball at a high level. When she began playing seriously herself, she learned what the sport meant for her.
“It’s the perfect balance between mental and physical challenges,” she explained.
“You can’t get by simply being strong or being smart, the combination of the two is what intrigues me.”
Her soon-to-be new coach is impressed by his recruit.
“Kim has outstanding ball control skills and I really like her ability to compete,” said Memorial coach Bill Thistle.
“At five-foot-nine, Kim is not a big athlete, but I believe she has a very strong mental game that will fit quite nicely with our Sea-Hawks.
“She will develop into a leader on our team and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her grown into an all-star in the AUS (Atlantic University Sport) league.”
One of Bauder’s teammates with the Titans is also off to play post-secondary volleyball.
Libero Ali Johnson is joining the Briercrest College Clippers.
The Caranport, Sask. school is the only non-Alberta team in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference. 
“Ali has great all-around skill and is a very versatile players,” said Briercrest coach Nolan Weinmaster.
“Having successfully contributed to great teams at a variety of positions, I am excited about how she will bring that winning attitude to our team.
“She will give us great depth in key moments with her serve receive passing and defensive skills.”
Johnson was a Fraser Valley all-star for the Titans. She can also play left-side.
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Langley Fundamental’s Ali Johnson (#9) will play for the Briercrest College Clippers in the fall.
