Sweet Saints Volleyball Action

Jan 11, 2010 by Julia McIntyre-Smith

Let me tell you something great about watching the Selkirk Saints play… Great seats!

On the floor, which is the best vantage point to watch some killer volleyball.

And have I mentioned the food? You can indulge in such delicacies as sushi and fresh cookies. But that, my friends, is just the smallest and least tasty piece of the sweet, sweet cake that is Selkirk Saints’ Volleyball.

Let’s pretend that the Saints are a piece of ice cream cake. Now there are lots of different components to an ice cream cake that make it so wonderfully delicious, just like there are so many different key components to the Selkirk Saints that make them such dynamic teams to watch.

Let’s start with the bottom layer, the backbone; it’s what keeps the cake together like the ability to dig for the ball is the backbone of these teams. Five of the Saints men’s players are rated in the top 10 in the league of average digs per game. The ladies also have two of their players in the top 10: Alicia Dodds #6 and Myia Malakoff #4. Quite an extraordinary feat considering they are a two-year college trying to compete against four-year universities.

Next there is the crumbly transition from ice cream to hot fudge. The Saints efficient transition after the ball is served is vital to their game. The Saints are quick and effective. They make it easier for power forwards like Tory Zaystoff and Marlee Kanigan to kill the ball with the utmost strength and precision.

Now to the chocolaty centre, which compliments the rest of the cake so perfectly, it reminds me of the great chemistry within both teams. They are comfortable playing together, giving each other words of encouragement and never getting down on each other.

Saints defense is the ice cream on top. They take the word tenacious to a whole new level, sacrificing life and limb for the sake of one point.

Talking to the players was a treat as well. Marlee Kanigan #5 had an excellent game November 20, 2009 against the Columbia Bible College (CBC) Bearcats. Leading her team in kills, she played the game with grit and determination. Kanigan is a triple threat, clearly demonstrating her leadership qualities during and after the game. Suffering from chronic knee pain she is still on top of her game even when injured and of course most striking of all, her ability to kill the ball. Although the team didn’t win against the Bearcats she kept a positive attitude, quick to praise her squad.

“Even though a number of my teammates are injured we all played the game with intensity and never lost confidence.”

With an attitude like that Marlee Kanigan and the rest of the ladies team have the ability to become a real threat in the BCCAA Volleyball League.

The Saints men’s team made the CBC Bearcats, currently the top team in the league, shake in their kneepads November 21, 2009. The game went to five sets, but the Saints fell short, losing by only two points.

They didn’t make the same mistake twice, however, beating the College of the Rockies the following week in the fifth set.

After their first game against the Bearcats I talked with Griffin Beauregard, jersey #10 and libero for the Saints.

Beauregard is known for his intense digging abilities. Currently rated fifth in the league and #1 on his team for average digs per game, Beauregard is a force to be reckoned with. He has been playing volleyball since elementary school and this will be his second year playing with the Selkirk Saints.

“They are a great group of guys that always stay positive,” says Beauregard.

The Saints Volleyball teams seem to have the whole package.

All that’s missing are some rowdy fans to come cheer them on at their next home games on January 15 and 16 against Capilano College!

You won’t want to miss it because watching them play is like having your cake and eating it too.