The Holland Hurricanes women's volleyball team continues to prepare for the upcoming Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) season with the addition of former Saint Mary’s University (SMU) Huskies setter, Marissa Macaulay.

Macaulay, from Truro, Nova Scotia, will begin the Practical Nursing program this fall at Holland College.

“I decided to enroll at Holland College because the Practical Nursing program is known as being one of the best in the country.  I also made this decision based on Holland College being known as a college that strongly supports it’s Athletics Department.”

The 5’7”, setter, is no stranger to elite volleyball; she spent the last two years as a member of the SMU Huskies (Atlantic University Sport (AUS) and USPORTS members) where in 2018 she was named the Huskies female Rookie of the Year.

In 2017, while attending high school at the Cobequid Educational Centre, she was named the female Athlete of the Year while also taking home MVP honours on the volleyball and track & field teams.

In 2016 she was a member of the U18 Atlantic beach volleyball championship winning team while also a member of team Nova Scotia provincial teams from 2013 through 2015.  Macaulay also has an impressive list of accomplishments and awards from playing at the club volleyball level over her career.

Macaulay feels confident in her abilities and that she can contribute to the team at Holland College immediately.

“I instinctively analyze each team’s strengths and weaknesses to form strategic plays that provide offensive opportunities for my team,” she shares. “With two years playing at the AUS level, I believe I can bring leadership on and off the court by making credible, smart decisions that will benefit the team.”

First-year head coach, Jonathan Macdonald, is pleased to see that Macaulay will be wearing the Hurricanes uniform this season.

“I’m looking forward to having a player join our roster with experience playing at the USPORT level. The leadership she will bring to the court is extremely valuable.”

Last season the Hurricanes finished second in the ACAA standings with a record of 15-6; they finished the conference championships as the silver medalists.

“This upcoming season fans can expect a young team of hard-working women, focused and determined to do what is necessary to win. Exciting digs, hard hits and big plays, should make this season of Hurricanes women’s volleyball one to remember.”

The ‘Canes will open their 2019-20 ACAA regular season on Saturday, November 2 when they visit the Université de Sainte-Anne Dragons in Church Point, Nova Scotia.  The team will host their home opener on Saturday, November 9 at 12pm versus the Crandall Chargers at the Holland College Centre for Community Engagement.

To connect with the women’s volleyball Hurricanes, visit www.twitter.com/caneswvball.

For more information on the Holland Hurricanes, please visit www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes, www.twitter.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.

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Story written by:

Mason Murray

Communications Coordinator Assistant

Department of Athletics and Recreation

Holland College