Next stop, Winnipeg.
It’s not Victoria, but it is the home of the national indoor volleyball program. And it’s the next home, albeit temporary, for the top women’s university volleyball player in Canada Shanice Marcelle, recently named MVP of the CIS for the second time.
The Spectrum Community school grad is in a new frame of mind, having ended her CIS playing career with the UBC Thunderbirds with a fifth-straight national volleyball title two weeks ago.
Since then it’s been a whirlwind of catching up on studies.
“I (had) a midterm, group project, and quiz (last week). It’s kind of strange just being a student, I’m grateful for my time as a Thunderbird,” Marcelle said.
Marcelle will finish her kinesiology degree at UBC in a few weeks and head straight to national team tryouts.
She’s also open to a return to the national beach volleyball program after a three-year hiatus. Indoor or outdoor, Marcelle will be on Canadian soil for the summer months only, before moving on to a launch a pro career in Europe.
“An agent will help me with that. I’m not sure where but, depending on the league, hopefully I’ll get room and board covered, and some money on top of that.”
It’s another turn on the path which started when Marcelle first played volleyball as a Grade 6 student at McKenzie elementary school in Saanich.
Several of her ex-Thunderbirds teammates are already in Europe playing, so Marcelle’s chances are strong.
Marcelle was fourth in the Canada West in kills per set and points, sixth in hitting percentage and seventh in aces.
Jessica Von Schilling (Belmont) continues to represent Greater Victoria on the T-birds.
Marcelle’s elder sister Tanisha starred in the Camosun Chargers volleyball program and is now an aspiring make-up artist with film credits to her resume.
