The top student athletes and coaches in the CIS — including several from the University of Manitoba — journeyed to Shenzhen, China to compete at the 2011 Summer Universiade. Running from August 12-23, the 2011 Summer Universiade is the 26th bi-annual athletic competition organized by the International University Sports Federation.
On July 26, the CIS and Volleyball Canada announced the student-athletes representing Canada in women’s volleyball at the games. From the Bisons, middle hitter Tricia Mayba and left side hitter Kristi Hunter, both heading into their fifth year of eligibility, were selected to the 12 member team.
Mayba earned Canada West Second Team All-Star honours in 2010-11 after starting in all but one conference regular season game and all four playoff games. Posting a hitting percentage of .292 and 1.23 blocks per game earned her a spot on the CIS top ten for each category. Meanwhile, Hunter led the Bisons with 1.73 kills in the 2010-11 season, and also pitched in with 171 digs — second most on the team. For both Mayba and Hunter, this is their first time representing Canada at the Summer Universiade.
“This is a great accomplishment for both Tricia and Kristin to represent Team Canada at the 2011 Summer Universiade in China.” said Bison women’s volleyball head coach Ken Bentley. “Both players will gain a wealth of experience playing against some of the best university athletes in the world and then both return for their fifth and final season in Manitoba.”
The Bison women will be joined by third year left side hitter Chris Voth, who was also selected to represent Team Canada on the 14 member mens volleyball squad. Voth was also selected as a 2010-11 Canada West Second Team All-Star. Voth has made a significant impact on the Bison squad, since being named the CIS and Canada West Rookie of the Year in 2008-09. In his past season, Voth played in all 18 conference regular season games and three playoff games, contributing 111 digs, 38 overall blocks and 17 assists during the season
Bison track and field head coach Claude Berube was also selected to represent Team Canada. As the head coach for the national track and field team, Berube will look to build on Canada’s success at the 2009 Summer Universiade in Belgrade, Serbia, where Team Canada won its first gold medal in athletics since 1983. Berube was previously selected as head coach of the track and field Canadian team for the 2007 games, and was also selected as a staff coach in 2005.
