University of Guelph

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL - Gryphons Add Two Recruits and NCAA Transfer

• June 8, 2009

 

 

 

 

{Pictured Above: left to right - Devon Jones, Lauren Watson & Erinn Bickle}

The University of Guelph women’s volleyball team is pleased to announce the addition of two more high school recruits and an NCAA transfer student to their line up for the fall. Joining the Gryphons for 2009-10 will be West Vancouver, B.C.’s Lauren Watson, Rockwood, ON’s Devon Jones and returning NCAA transfer student and Whitby, ON native Erinn Bickle.

“I am very pleased to be adding these three athletes to our program for the fall,” commented head coach Paul Funk. “Lauren and Devon will add depth to our outside hitting and middle blocking and we are very fortunate to be adding a player of Erinn’s experience and size to our line up.”

Five foot nine inch outside hitter Lauren Watson comes to Guelph after a solid club and high school career in Vancouver. She has played on three highly respected clubs throughout her club career including most recently the B.C. Olympic club which finished 9^th at the recent 18U National championships in Ottawa. Lauren was also a B.C. Summer Games silver medalist and MVP in 2006 and was involved in 2007 in the Team B.C. Developmental program. “Lauren’s a good jumper as she has a figure skating background that has helped in her development and I’m looking forward to seeing how far Lauren can take her skills,” said Coach Funk. “I am keen to play volleyball at the University of Guelph and to also receive a quality education at the same time,” commented Watson. Lauren will be enrolled in the Arts program as an English major in September.

Devon Jones is a 5’11” middle blocker from Rockwood, ON. She played her high school volleyball in Guelph at St. James High School and has played club ball for the Peel Selects Volleyball club since 2005. Her club achievements include a Tier 2 gold medal at the 16U National championships in 2007, a silver medal at the U.S. 17U East Coast Nationals in 2008 and most recently, a 5^th place finish at the 18U provincials in April. “Devon is not the tallest middle blocker around but her non-stop work ethic is what really impressed me about her. She truly works as hard as she can on every point,” commented Coach Funk. “I am very excited to be coming to Guelph and I can’t wait for the new season to start,” stated Jones. Devon also trains and competes in sport horses on her family’s farm in Rockwood. An exceptional student, Devon will be enrolled in the Bachelor of Communications program in the fall.

Whitby , ON native Erinn Bickle returns to Canada to come to the University of Guelph after red-shirting for a year at the University of Dayton in the NCAA. The 6’3” middle blocker will be a huge presence for the Gryphons in September. “It’s not everyday that a player of Erinn’s abilities joins your program and we are very happy that she has chosen Guelph to continue her schooling and volleyball,” commented Coach Funk. Erinn has a very long list of team and individual accomplishments in volleyball including numerous provincial and national medals and individual all-star awards with the Durham Attack Volleyball club. She was also part of the National Youth team developmental squad in 2006-07. “I am extremely excited to join the program at the University of Guelph and for the possibilities that lie ahead for this team. I think that this next year will be a great one, and that it includes great possibilities for high success,” stated Bickle. Erinn will be enrolled in the Child, Youth & Family program in the fall.

Lauren Watson’s Career Highlights

 · 2009 BCO Club fifth at 18U Nationals
 · 2008-09 North Shore Volleyball All Star, First Team
 · 2008 Fraser Valley Fury Club Team – came 5th at Nationals
 · 2008 Fraser Valley Fury Club Team – 2nd at Provincials
 · 2008 Fourth in High School North Shore Volleyball
 · 2008 Fourth in High School Vancouver & District Volleyball
 · 2008 15th in Provincials Volleyball
 · 2007 trained by invitation with the provincial Team BC Development Program
 · 2007 BCO Club Team – came top tier at Nationals Volleyball
 · 2007 1st in High School North Shore Volleyball
 · 2007 1st in High School Vancouver & District Volleyball
 · 2007 10th in Provincial High School Volleyball
 · 2006 BC Summer Games Silver Medallist and MVP
 · 2006 High School Provincial Volleyball All Star
 · High School Volleyball Vancouver & District Winners –2006
 · High School Volleyball North Shore Winners –2006
 · 2005 -6 Blues Club team – top 30 at 2006 Nationals

Devon Jones’s Career Highlights

 · St James Highschool volleyball team grades 9, 11 and 12
 · District All-Star 2006, 2008, 2009.
 ·Played for Peel Selects Volleyball Club from 2005 - 2008.

2007:
Gold medal Division 2 at 16U Canadian Nationals, Calgary, AB

2008
Silver medal at US East Coast Nationals 17U, Pittsburgh PA

2009:
5th place Division 1 18U Ontario Provincials, Waterloo
5th place Division 1 tier 2 at 18U Nationals, Ottawa

Academic Achievements
Honour roll 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009.
Grade 9 Mathematics proficiency award
Grade 10 Mathematics profciency aware
Grade 12 data management proficiency award in grade 11
Grade 11 chemistry proficiency award
2008: Larry Kelly award of Excellence for outstanding acheivement in both academics and atheletics

Other sports including accomplishments/significant finishes
raise, train and compete sport horses on my family farm in Rockwood, Ontario.
compete in Horse Trials and Hunter circuit

Erinn Bickle’s Career Highlights

2008-2009
University of Dayton Ohio Women ’s Volleyball Team : Red Shirt

2007-2008
18U Provincials Tier 1 : Bronze
OFSSA (AAAA Ontario Championships) : Gold
LOSSA (Regional) : Silver

2006-2007
Member of Durham Attack Volleyball Club’s 17U Black Team
Member of Durham attacks Volleyball Club’s 18U Black Team
18U Nationals Tier 1: Bronze
18U Provincials Tier 1 : Silver
17U Provincials Tier 1 : Silver
National Development Youth Camp
Ontario Provincial Team 18U
LOSSA (Regional) : silver
MVP at LOSSA Finals
OFSSA (AAAA Ontario Championships) : Bronze

2005-2006
Member of Durham Attack Volleyball Club’s 16U Black Team
16U Provincials Tier 1 : Gold
17U Provincials Tier 1 : Bronze
16U Eastern Nationals Tier1: Gold
Eastern Nationals: Volleyball Canada/All- Star Award
16U Western Nationals Tier1: Silver
Western Nationals : Volleyball Canada/All- Star Award
Ontario Provincial Team 18U
Selected to: Ontario Summer Games Team, Region 4
Ontario Summer Games: Gold
Ontario Volleyball Award of Excellence
Selected to: National Development Youth B Team
Most Improved 16U Durham Attack
Named as Nationals All-Star by the City of Whitby
Member Junior Varsity Sinclair Secondary Volleyball Team
LOSSA (Regional) : Silver
MVP at LOSSA Finals
Received Sinclair Secondary School Award of Excellence for Jr. Girls’ Volleyball Team
OFSSA Qualifier (AAAA Ontario Championships)
Member of Sinclair Secondary’s Junior Varsity girls Field Lacrosse team