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The Nipissing Lakers Women’s Volleyball program is celebrating its 30th anniversary at Nipissing University. The team has come a long way since its inception in 1993 and has bred a culture of success and consistency within in the university's athletic department.
The 2023-24 season is set to be a special one and it will get started by welcoming back some of the team's alumni for a pre-game ceremony ahead of their home opener on Friday, November 17. The team will host the Waterloo Warriors, and game time is set for 6 p.m.
The Lakers program has undergone several changes over the years, but it all started under the leadership of John Jeffries, who was known around North Bay as “Mr. Volleyball.” Jeffries spent nearly five decades mentoring athletes and coaches in all areas of the volleyball scene and is now a member of the Ontario Volleyball Associations Hall of Fame (Class of 2022) and is involved with ACE Volleyball in Cochrane, Alberta, the largest club in that province.
Jeffries was the head coach of Canadore College Women's programs from 1979 to 1981, where he won an OCAA Coach of the Year award for the 1980-81 season. He transitioned from that role to Nipissing University in 1993, and the team remained in the OCAA (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association) ranks until the beginning of the 2013-14 season.
Current Head Coach Marc Larochelle says that the transition was the biggest challenge he has faced during his tenure leading the program. “In 2013-14, Ontario lost probably 20-30% of its best players to US schools, and the athletes that decided to stay in Ontario were mainly interested in attending large universities.”
Looking back now, he says that it took a little longer to break through some of those barriers than he had hoped. “However, we are certainly making some inroads,” he adds.
In the ensuing years, the Lakers have been able to recruit many strong athletes to Nipissing because of the program and the university's reputation. “I strongly believe what sets us apart is the emphasis on being a student-athlete. Our intimate learning environment provides many positive opportunities for our student-athletes to grow. They have an opportunity to build a strong connection with their professors and fellow students and their community on a campus like no other. Our campus is surrounded by pristine wilderness, hiking trails, and Duchesne Falls combined with tremendous training facilities. We can provide the best of both worlds in terms of academics and athletics,” says Larochelle.
Current Co-Captain Kassandra Pavlic echoes those sentiments. “I chose to play at Nipissing because of the warm welcoming feeling I got from the players and coaches when I was in the recruiting process. I also loved the idea of a small school atmosphere that Nipissing provides where your professors know you by name, and you get the chance to know everyone in your program,” says Pavlic who played her high school volleyball in Hamilton.
Pavlic is in her third year, taking Bachelor of Physical and Health Education. She says it was a proud moment when she was named co-captain last year, “I felt fortunate and grateful at that moment because it was a great opportunity to be able to lead the team on and off the court.”
She follows in the footsteps of Tammy Hinich (Gilson), a North Bay-born athlete who was the first-ever captain of the team. Hinich says, “My experience playing for the Lakers was an adrenaline rush like no other. To be able to play the sport you love with teammates that felt the same was incredible. I was recruited by York University, McMaster University, The University of Ottawa and Windsor University. I chose to go to Nipissing because I wanted to stay local and be coached by John Jeffries.”
She adds, “I handled the position of captain with confidence and poise. I was recognized for my play on the court, as I was very vocal and handled pressure well. I was very honoured and excited to be named the captain.”
Both Hinich and Pavlic say they have fond memories of their time in a Lakers uniform. “I have enjoyed meeting lifelong friends who share the same goals and values as me. The most memorable game I have played at Nipissing was winning our first-ever OUA playoff game in program history in my first year,” says Pavlic.
Hinich says, “Being part of the team has impacted my life by always having a passion for team sports and hard work. I went on to help coach my kids when they were in middle school. I continued playing competitive volleyball well into my late 30’s. Some of the most memorable moments with the Lakers were the road trips, the late-night practices, getting taped up by Doc, and of course, the wins. In our first season, we won Silver in the OCAA. In our second season, we were 18-0, we brought home Gold in the OCAA.”
That success in the OCAA stemmed from Jeffries laying down the groundwork in the early '90s. He was the head coach from 1993-1996 and again from 2003-2005, and during his tenure, he claimed a Coach of the Year award in 1994-95 when the team went on that perfect 18-0 run to capture the OCAA Championship title.
Larochelle took over the program in 2005-2006 and was working for Nipissing University in the athletics department as a Sports Information Officer. In the years since, he has continued to build a strong program, and the Lakers have become a force to be reckoned with in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) conference.
As the Lakers prepare for another exciting season, they will take a moment to reflect on their past successes and look forward to the future with optimism. The Lakers have made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, and this year, they are looking to continue to take those next steps toward competing for a championship. With a strong core of returning players and a talented recruiting class, the Lakers are poised for another successful season.
This year's 30th-anniversary celebration will be a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with the program over the years.
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