VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds women's volleyball team, winners of five consecutive CIS championships, has replenished its roster with the addition of three recruits.
Emily Cicon (Courtenay), Juliana Kaufmanis (Richmond) and Danielle Brisebois (Bolton, ON) will join the Thunderbirds squad for the upcoming season.
“We are very excited to welcome these three tremendous athletes, who not only excel athletically but also scholastically,” said UBC head coach Doug Reimer. “This and their commitment to develop, were important factors in bringing them into the T-Bird program.”
Cicon is a 6-foot-0 middle who won gold with Team BC at the 2011 Volleyball Canada National Team Challenge Cup in Winnipeg. Cicon also won bronze in 2010 at the Western Elite event representing B.C.
“We think Emily could develop into a very strong blocker with training time,” said Reimer. “She has a great work ethic and the desire to improve and gives us more depth at the middle position which is something we need moving forward.”
Cicon also played on the senior girls' volleyball team at her high school, Mark R. Isfeld Secondary. The team placed 11th at the AAA provincial championships in Parksville.
“There is a lot of potential to explore new opportunities and it's close to home,” said Cicon of her new school. “My key strengths are a willingness to work hard and a desire to learn.”
Cicon was the winner of Isfeld's Pinnacle Award, given to a student demonstrating excellence in academics and athletics. She will be enrolling in the Faculty of Science at UBC.
UBC's first regular season game will take place at War Memorial Gymnasium on Oct. 26.
– UBC Thunderbirds