After last season ended amidst controversy and disappointment, the University of Saskatchewan women’s volleyball team is poised for a breakout 2015-16 season. Although the Huskies haven’t made the playoffs since 2002, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the upcoming year.

Returning 11 of 12 players from last year’s roster, the Huskies will be much more competitive in the tough Canada West conference this year. The lone graduated player was Kayla Tycholiz, who led the Dogs in blocks last year, and she and her height will be missed in the middle. Looking to replace Tycholiz will be rookie middle blocker Brooke Listwin, who hails from Saskatoon, is listed at 6-0 and will look to contribute immediately.

With plenty of attacking options, the green and white should have a deadly offence this year. Outside hitters Emily Humbert, Anne Hanbidge, Emmalyn Copping and Jenelle Sokoloski all enter the new season with another year of training and experience under their belts. In the squad’s first two games of the year, they swept the University of Manitoba Bisons with a huge contribution from these players — especially Copping, who recorded 39 kills in the opening weekend.

Humbert has been a force to be reckoned with in the CanWest for a couple seasons now, and her fourth year with the Huskies could be her best yet. With improvement of her kill totals in each season so
far, Humbert will be the leader of a powerful offensive attack.

Aiding them will be fifth-year setter Jina Barker, who racked up 667 assists last year, and libero Jennifer Hueser. Hueser showed that she will lead the Huskies defensively in their opening set of games. She tallied 54 digs in the first two matches, which puts her comfortably in first place in the conference in that category. Second-year hitter Ruby Stefan had a solid rookie season, but did it quietly behind the heavy hitters featured by the Huskies lineup. She will provide some depth up front this year.

One of the biggest changes that will affect the Huskies is someone who will never set foot on the court in a game: newly named head coach Mark Dodds will aim to get the Huskies back into the playoffs. Dodds was a Huskie volleyball player himself — a national champion in 2004 and CIS Most Valuable Player in 2006 — and is one of the best volleyball players the program has ever seen.

“Throughout my playing and coaching careers, I have learned what it takes to be a top level CIS athlete and I look forward to working with these young women, helping them strive for excellence both academically and athletically,” Dodds told Global News when he was hired.

Dodds took over with six games remaining last season, when former coach Jason Grieve was let go after several complaints of misconduct. Inheriting a bad situation, Dodds made the most of his opportunity and has the Huskies off to a great start this year. After winning just five games last season, they already have two wins in the new year. Huskies Athletic Director Basil Hughton said Dodds will be “instrumental” in helping the program take the next step.

With a new coach who has a great background with the program and a team with a great blend of talent and experience, it could very well be the bounce-back year for the women’s volleyball team that is desperately needed.

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Photo: Katherine Fedoroff