Casault deadly with volleyball Pandas
When Meg Casault steps onto the volleyball court with the University of Alberta Pandas this weekend, it will be for her final Canada West Conference series at home.
But before the Pandas power player’s fifth and final year of eligibility is up, she has a chance to leave a lasting legacy.
Not only is she on the verge of setting a new conference kills record, but her Pandas are sitting at a perfect 18-0 in Canada West play for the first time in the program’s storied history.
But for Casault, both of those factors are mere window dressing when it comes to her main goal of becoming a national champion.
“It’s so exciting to be part of a team that works as hard as we do and to have the outcomes that we have had so far,” she said.
“But you could have an 18-0 record and not close out the season.
“So, at this point, as exciting as it is there is so much ahead of us and so many important games coming up.”
They finish the home stretch Friday (7:30 p.m.) and Saturday (6:30 p.m.) against UBC Okanagan, before winding up their conference schedule on the road the following two weekends.
As such, it’s a farewell for Casault and fellow fifth-year Pandas Kacey Otto — who holds the Canada West career ace record with 165 and counting — and Karly Janssen.
Most of the group was part of the first generation to come out of the initial U-17 Pandas Club volleyball program.
“It’s really hard to believe, it doesn’t seem like it should be here already but it’s quite a group,” said Pandas varsity head coach Laurie Eisler, adding a fourth, Jess Stroud, is out with injury.
“A group of them came in together and have experienced a lot over the years and I think they’re probably shocked that they’re at this point of their careers already. “It really does go fast.” But not always quite as successfully as this year.
Casault has her sights set on playing overseas next year and trying out for the Canadian national team in the summer, with an aim at returning to school in pursuit of a master’s degree. ON THE SKED: Bears volleyball takes on UBC Okanagan Friday (6 p.m.) and Saturday (8 p.m.) ... No. 2-ranked Bears wrestling and No. 5 Pandas are at the Canada West championships in Saskatoon this weekend ... Bears and Pandas basketball hosts the University of Lethbridge Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (5 p.m.) ... Pandas hockey hosts the University of Manitoba Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (2 p.m.) ... Bears and Pandas track and field is holding the Golden Bears Challenge at the Universiade Pavilion on Friday and Saturday ... MacEwan University Griffins volleyball hosts the University of Manitoba Friday (6 p.m.) and Saturday (5 p.m.).