RECRUIT ANNOUNCEMENT: Women’s volleyball adds Bristow, Kociancic to 2022 class
The Gee-Gees women's volleyball team added two players to their 2022-23 recruiting class in outside hitter Denae Bristow and setter Meghan Kociancic.
Bristow and Kociancic join an already exciting class that includes Brynn Lewis and Oseremhen Audrey Odigie.
"One more casualty of COVID has been recruiting opportunities since March 2020," said Gee-Gees head coach Lionel Woods. "[Assistant coach] Kaly and I were fortunate enough to get to a recruiting showcase in Toronto, and even more fortunate to meet and watch both Meghan and Denae. This chance to see both of them play in person was critical as we had to make some final decisions on a number of interested athletes."
Hailing from Saskatoon, Sask., Bristow brings extensive provincial team and Canada Games experience to the Gee-Gees. A multi-sport athlete who also excels at basketball and softball, the 6'2" outside hitter was named the 2020-21 Female Athlete of the Year by St. Joseph High School.
"When I started talking with the coaches at uOttawa, I fell in love with the program," said Bristow, who first met the staff at a showcase in Toronto. "Connecting with the coaches and seeing what kind of people they are really made me feel welcome like no other school did."
"Denae will add some physical presence as a 6'2" wing player, and we have little doubt that she can also get the job done in backrow," said Woods, who wrapped up his 30th season at the helm of the program.
In addition to the warm reception from the Gee-Gees coaching staff, having a close friend and teammate among the 2022-23 recruits made Bristow's decision easier.
"I have played club and school volleyball with Brynn Lewis for many years and she helped me a lot," said Bristow, who is a member of Huskie Volleyball Club in Saskatoon. "She visited the campus before signing and she had only good things to say about it. This helped me understand what the program was like and the atmosphere at uOttawa."
Bristow is the latest athlete from western Canada to join the volleyball program. Alana Leung (Burnaby, B.C.), Grace McKale (Cold Lake, Alta.) Shay Kirk (Brandon, Man.) and fellow incoming recruit Lewis (Saskatoon, Sask.) comprise the Gee-Gees strong western contingent.
While the Gee-Gees are no strangers to recruiting talent from out west, they are also very familiar with the Pakmen Volleyball Club, and Kociancic is the latest Pakmen alumna to join the uOttawa program.
Tristan Peterson, Nicole Wernham and rookie Janae McKay each suited up for the Mississauga, Ont.-based club.
"uOttawa has always been one of my top destinations for university study because of their great health science and medical program," said Kociancic, who is slated to study Biomedical Sciences.
"At first, I felt playing competitive volleyball and being academically successful would be a difficult balancing act, but after talking with Grace McKale, who is in Biopharmaceutical Science, I found that you can do both. The team has a great approach of school first, volleyball second."
Kociancic has been a member of Team Ontario Red for the past two years, serving as a co-captain. In addition to volleyball, she plays on St. Marcellinus Secondary School's varsity softball and basketball teams.
"From a volleyball point of view, Meghan possesses the athleticism, speed and volleyball IQ that we really look for in our setters," said Woods.
Both Bristow and Kociancic will keep in contact with the program over the summer and are slated to start on campus in August.