Chinook volleyball players solidify postsecondary futures

Two Chinook Coyotes graduating volleyball players have committed to play post-secondary right at home in the city, while another has decided to compete down south beginning next season.

Both Robyn Austin and Asha Hurkett have decided to stay at home and play as teammates with the Lethbridge College Kodiaks women’s volleyball team.

“I really wanted to stay at home with my parents because I know everybody here and I know that one of my teammates is coming with me,” said Hurkett.

“So I knew that Lethbridge would be a really good place for me to go.”

What Hurkett likes about the Kodiaks program is how supportive the program is.

“The coaching program really focuses on mental health and how you’re doing,” said Hurkett.

“I think that reaches my values.”

She is going to enrol in recreational therapy.

“I’m excited for the next few years to play with a bunch of girls that I really like,” said Austin.

She likes how Kodiak women’s coach Anna Schwark coaches the team.

“She’s very caring about everyone’s mental health and physical health which makes it a very good program,” said Austin.

She will enrol in the business program.

Cameron Gouw is taking her talents south of the border to Dickinson State University in North Dakota.

“So it was a process,” said Gouw.

“I always knew that I wanted to go to the States for post-secondary and I looked a lot of schools, emailed a lot of schools and when I went to Dickinson it just felt right. It felt comforting knowing that the coach there was really nice to me and the people there were very inviting. So I just knew it was the right decision.”

She is looking forward to getting meet new people, starting new friendships and working towards a new education in accounting.

The programs can look forward to having offensive threats on the court.

“All three are really strong players,” said Madeline Vanden Elzen, Coyotes assistant coach.

“All three are very offensive players and are [a] big threat in the front row.”