14 Wing Greenwood’s women’s volleyball team is heading to Canadian Armed Forces Atlantic regionals February 26 through March 1.
Returning members include Corporal Brandi Weibel (middle), Major Jacinda Vlaar (power), Master Corporal Cindy German (right side/ setter) and Corporal Carrie Laycock (right side/ setter). Newcomers to the 14 Wing roster include Corporal Cassidy Durling (libero), Lieutenant Mollie Davidson (power), Lieutenant Emilie Labbe (setter), Private Anais Messier (right side/ power), Corporal Kristine Oulette (middle) and Warrant Officer Amanda Jardine (power).
Labbe played for Royal Military College while there and is a great asset to the Greenwood team; Jardine and Messier are new to the sport but bring a competitive background from other sports. Most of the women are multisport athletes, appearing on one or several 14 Wing base teams, including softball, soccer and hockey.
At every level, athletes are dedicated and determined to learn, and 2024 goals include working towards everyone having a basic understanding of rotations (thanks to Vlaar and Labbe for deep skills in this area), and determining where each fits into the team in time to mesh for regionals.
Coach Master Corporal Leo Gautier is knowledgeable of volleyball, and athletes are happy he stepped up to fill the leadership role.
Practices have been twice a week through the winter, and the women were ready to test it all out in a pre-regionals exhibition scrimmage with the West Kings District High School women’s volleyball team February 21.
Regionals is in Halifax at the dockyard gym, with the women’s division including CFB Halifax, 14 Wing Greenwood and CFB Gagetown. Greenwood’s first game is the opening game against Gagetown, at 9:45 a.m. February 27. Game 2 for Greenwood will be against Halifax February 28 at 8:45 a.m. Second versus third will take place February 9:30 a.m. February 29, with the final at 9:30 a.m. March 1. Round robin games are best two out of three; the semi and final will be best three out of five.
