Following the conclusion of their 2022-23 campaign, the Keyano Huskies Women's Volleyball team had a busy May recruitment wise, announcing a quartet of recruits to join their program.
Head Coach Hayden Nichol, who guided the program to a 13-6 record over the 19-game season in his first season as the program's Head Coach, was eager to fill in gaps left by his roster turnover thanks to a quartet of graduates.
"We're almost wrapped up here. I had those four student-athletes signed earlier in the season. They all will provide a big impact right away," Nichol said. "A big goal of mine this year is to make sure I'm bringing in people that are going to be able to make an impact and not just fill a roster.
"With these four student-athletes, I definitely think I did that."
Drew Jacobson (Wakaw, Saskatchewan)
The addition of Jacobson provides strength at the libero position now and in the future.
A product of St. Joseph High School in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Jacobson captured a city championship with her school. With Wolfpack Volleyball Club, she earned Provincial Gold in 2022 and silver in 2023. She was a part of Saskatchewan Volleyball's team for the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games. In the 2023 club season, she was recognized with the Marilyn Walter Memorial Award, which celebrates athletic and academic excellence.
"I had a connection with a club coach in Saskatchewan who was really promoting her to me," Nichol said. "It became pretty clear pretty quickly to me after watching her both on video and getting a chance to watch her in December and a couple times throughout the year that technically, she's a very talented libero that's already at a post-secondary level.
"This transition year with Raisa will give her an opportunity to learn from arguably one of the best liberos in the ACAC and probably the best libero that Keyano has ever had."
Kate Ostapovich (Regina, Saskatchewan)
The next addition to the program marked another PACWEST transfer for the program with the addition of Ostapovich, who played with the College of the Rockies Avalanche. Representing Sask Stealth Volleyball, she earned a Provincial Silver medal. At Winston Knoll Collegiate, Ostapovich was named the Most Valuable Player of her high school team in her Grade 11 year.
"I'm always open to transfers, especially from tough conferences like PACWEST," Nichol said. "It's the best Women's Volleyball conference that we have in the CCAA.
"Experience playing against the level of competition, even within her own practice gym, practicing in that environment against those kind of players every single day definitely helped her development."
Klara Kubicka (Grande Prairie, Alberta)
The third addition to the Huskies recruitment class for 2023-24 came via Klara Kubicka, a product of Grande Prairie, Alberta. A member of the honour roll for three years at Charles Spencer High School, she also starred on the volleyball court, playing a part in back-to-back 4A Zone Championships.
As a member of the South Peace Volleyball Club (SPVC), Kubicka recently helped her team claim an 18U Tier 4 Gold Medal at 2023 Youth Nationals in Calgary. They also earned a fourth place result at Division I in 2023 Alberta Provincials.
"From a place that is not the largest place in Alberta and they can still pump out all this talent pretty consistently, it just goes to show what a good system in high schools and in their club system that they have," Nichol added. "She's very excited to come play and experience what life is like at the next level at a top tier ACAC school."
Jordi Hazen (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
Rounding out the quartet of May recruitment announcements for the Women's Volleyball Huskies was Hazen, a product of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and comes to the Huskies with previous ACAC experience.
Before studying at Lethbridge College last year, Hazen attended Medicine Hat College, where she played two seasons with the Rattlers Women's Volleyball team. In the 2021-22 ACAC Regular Season, she recorded 213 assists, 61 digs, six service aces, and five kills in 45 sets across 15 games.
She also represented Saskatchewan at the 2019 Canada Cup (indoor), capturing the national championship. With Huskie Volleyball Club, Hazen won Provincial Gold and Bronze medals in indoor and beach competition. She was recognized by the provincial association in 2016 as the Beach Youth Female Player of the Year.
"It's an opportunity that was a little bit associated with Drew," Nichol continued. "They know each other quite well. I knew that we needed a top-tier setter to challenge the setters that we had in place at the time.
"She brings starting setter experience in the ACAC, which is pretty sweet. I'm excited to see what she can do. She's had a year off, she's had some time away from the game, but has been training really hard."
