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Lakers net new Women's Volleyball recruit

Lakers' Women's Volleyball welcomes its newest recruit, Abigail Prins. PHOTO SUBMITTED.

Lakers' Women's Volleyball welcomes its newest recruit, Abigail Prins.  PHOTO SUBMITTED.

Making the jump from the club level to the OUA/CIS can be a very big adjustment for a player and while it’s sure to be a challenge for Abbigail Prins, she is approaching it with the right attitude.

Prins is the newest recruit signed by the Nipissing Lakers women’s volleyball team and head coach Marc LaRochelle, who is getting an early start on reloading for the 2015-16 season.

Prins is a 6-foot-2 middle from Whitby, spent six years with DRVC and is coming to the Lakers from the Aurora Storm Volleyball Club.

She said she’s excited about the chance to compete with the province’s best players.

“I am super excited to be joining the Lakers Volleyball program.  I am looking forward to taking my volleyball skills to the next level,” she said.

One of the key characteristics she believes she has that will make her successful is her attitude and work ethic.

“I feel my strengths are that I am a hard worker on and off the court, and I am a very enthusiastic and positive person. I can bring to the Lakers my love for volleyball and the dedication I have to the sport,” she explained. “As well, I am 6’2" as a middle blocker and I feel my height will be an asset to the team.”

“I am very pleased to welcome Abbigail to the Laker family. Not only will Abbigail bring a physical presence in the middle, but she will bring a strong work ethic, a great attitude and a desire to compete,” LaRochelle said.

Prins has had a solid volleyball career so far, winning the 2011 Eastern National Championships at the 14U level, she was a 2012 national champion at the 15U level and also claimed third place in Division 2-Tier 1.

She attended Sinclair Secondary School in Whitby, Ontario where she won a LOSSA championship in Grade 9.
Prins will be enrolling in the BPHE program at Nipissing, a program that caught her eye when she was searching for a post-secondary school to attend.

Both school and the chance to play volleyball at the next level  were selling points for Prins, who turned 17 in September.
“I chose the Lakers and Nipissing because I really liked the sound of the bachelor of physical and health education program and from what I have heard from other people it is a great program. I am interested in becoming a physiotherapist and I believe the program at Nipissing will best prepare me for working in sports injury,” she said. “I really like what I have seen and heard about the kind of coach Marc is, as well. I am excited to be joining this team.”

LaRochelle is excited to sign a strong recruit at this point in the season, establishing a solid base moving forward.

With the team losing two players to graduation, there will be holes to fill and even though she’s a young player, Prins will have an opportunity to contribute to the Lakers success.

For Prins, playing against some of the top players and top teams in the province with her club program will give her a good idea of what to expect at the next level.

She admits that it will take some time to adjust and get used to the physicality and speed of the OUA, but playing at the elite level will give her a good base.

“I think that playing against some of the top clubs in Ontario will help to prepare me to play in the OUA.  The experience of playing against top clubs will challenge my game and help my focus as there will not be any easy games; just like the Lakers experience on a regular basis,” Prins noted. “It will be important to work hard every time I am on the court, practicing and working out because both myself and my team will have to work hard for every point and every game.”

“I have had the pleasure of watching her development over the past several years and I have no doubt that under the guidance of well-respected coach Merv Mosher, Abbigail will continue to excel,” LaRochelle explained. “Playing in the premiere division will also give Abbigail valuable experience competing against the top teams in the province. This experience will be an asset in her transition to CIS volleyball.”

LaRochelle will continue to search for players that will bolster his lineup next year and in the future, but he’s happy with the signing of Prins to kick things off.

Submitted to BayToday.ca