2026/27 Women's Volleyball Season Preview
Veteran outside Julia Sawatzky stares down Les Rouges in their MCAC semi-final win on home court last February
Blazers women's volleyball has been one of the most active programs this off-season, with recruiting for the 2026/27 squad beginning just before the team's run in the 2025/26 MCAC playoffs, and it continued to add pieces throughout the spring. The Blazers were back in the MCAC Finals this past February, just missing out on the 2026 CCAA Nationals here in Manitoba in March, and are using that near miss as added motivation to return to the national tournament in March of 2027 in Montreal.
Blazers Athletics begins its 2026/27 team previews with the Blazers Women's Volleyball team, noting new additions, key returnees, and losses to the lineup heading into the season:
Outgoing Players
Blazers Athletics honoured graduating student-athletes Halle Meisner, and Paige Wright at their final regular season match of the 2025/26 campaign. Meisner, a dynamic outside attacker throughout her five year career was a three-time MCAC All-Conference selection, and three-time Academic All-Canadian, and also took home Athlete of the Year honours for women's sports at this past April's Green & Gold banquet. Paige Wright also finished her five years of eligibility as an MCAC All-Conference selection, and helped lead the team in her final season as the starting setter.
There are also a few Blazers hanging up their jerseys this year and moving onto other persuits as sophomore right side/middle Avery Cook, and third year left side Haley Bickell all don't plan to return to play this fall.
Incoming Recruits
Filling those holes in the lineup are a number of new recruits and additions to the squad including signees Paige Whiteside, Ryann Hay, Ashley Porco, Reece Cowan, Danika Jakabek, Katey Ward, and Arianna Prystayko. With a 15-player roster last season, and a bigger incoming class than outgoing group, head coach Craig McKenzie is looking to add even more comepetition within his roster and develop a bigger core for a run to the MCAC playoffs.
Ryann Hay | 5'8" Outside | Margaret Barbour Collegiate | Club West & Team MB NAIG
Head coach Craig McKenzie landed two good recruits in a double-signing to start the off-season including the Northern Manitoba product Ryann Hay out of Flin Flon. An athletic outside, Hay will take a little time to develop in McKenzie's system, but could serve as a replacement for outgoing Haley Bickell in terms of positional play.
Coach's Quote: "Ryann's relentless drive to reach the next level is nothing short of remarkable. Her work ethic and passion for volleyball have set her apart, making her a valuable asset for the Blazers as they look to build for the future. The team is confident that her competitive spirit and determination will bring great things to CMU volleyball in the seasons ahead."
Paige Whiteside | 5'8" Setter | Lord Selkirk Regional | Brandon Volleyball Club & Team MB
Filling in the departure of Paige Wright, Paige Whiteside will come into the program and immediately push for starting setter minutes. As a member of Team Manitoba, Paige clearly has the talent and skillset to be an impact player in the conference this year or a little ways down the road.
Coach's Quote: "Paige has earned a reputation as a highly skilled and strategic setter, recognized for exceptional court vision, quick decision-making, and leadership on and off the court. Her technical ability and competitive drive have made her a key contributor to her high school team's success, and she is expected to make an immediate impact with the Blazers."
Ashley Porco | 5'10" Middle/Right Side | Glenlawn Collegiate | Dynamo Fusion Club
Look for head coach Craig McKenzie to use Ashley Porco primarily on the right side with several other signees coming in at the middle. Porco brings length and versatility to the lineup and could certainly push for a starting spot on the right side in place of outgoing Halle Meisner.
Coach's Quote: "We're beyond excited to have Ashley join us this upcoming season. Her strong work ethic, adaptability, and competitive drive are all qualities that will make her an immediate asset to the program. Combine this with her size and recognized excellence at both the school and club levels, and Ashley is poised to make a significant impact as she begins her next chapter with the Blazers."
Reece Cowan | 5'7" Libero | Vincent Massey High | Brandon Volleyball Club
With returning libero Maria Johnson heading into her fourth year of eligibility, but likely final year of academics, Reece Cowan adds some depth at libero and a championship pedigree at Vincent Massey High in Brandon. Keep an eye on Cowan as she develops into the libero of the future for the program.
Coach's Quote: "Reece will bring a strong competitive background to the Blazers next season as a hard working, multi-sport athlete and two-time Provincial Volleyball Champion with Vincent Massey Brandon. She demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and eagerness to learn, with a team-first mindset that will prepare her to contribute in any capacity."
Katey Ward | 6'1" Middle | Neelin High School | Westman Volleyball Club
A lengthy middle out of Brandon, Katey Ward will bring additional depth to an already stacked middle roster. At a height that can't be ignored, look for Ward to be ready for the college game, and to bring up the level of the team in training and competition.
Coach's Quote: "Katey is a calm and composed player who brings a steady confidence. Her height gives her excellent presence at the net, allowing her to challenge attackers and control the tempo of play. She stays patient under pressure, and uses her reach to make smart, disciplined plays for her team."
Danika Jakabek | 5'11" Middle | Lord Selkirk Regional | Shock Volleyball Club
After deferring her college career to pursue a professional pilots' license, Danika Jakabek is back in the fold as a Blazer and joins the aforementioned strong lineup of middles in the program. Expect Jakabek to be game-ready to start, and to push to be a regular part of the rotation available to head coach Craig McKenzie.
Coach's Quote: "Danika plays with intensity, power, and speed. Her attitude and work ethic are also immediately notable. We anticipate that she will be an impactful addition to the team and the conference."
Arianna Prystayko | 5'5" Setter | Fort Richmond Collegiate | Bandits Volleyball Club
Adding more depth at the setting position, Arianna Prystayko has signed as a red shirt to begin the season. Her maturity and work ethic will create a great team environment, and she will be ready to step in if an injury happens to either rostered setters.
Coach's Quote: "After stepping away from volleyball for a year following a successful high school career, Arianna is ready to return to the court. A former Fort Richmond and Bandits Volleyball Club athlete, she brings a gritty work ethic, an easy-going presence, and a team-first mindset. Prystayko adds valuable depth to the setting group and will help elevate the level of competition in the gym."
Returning to the Roster
With a strong cast of returning players, the Blazers Women's Volleyball program has sustained a fairly deep and talented roster over its last few seasons, which sees many of its student-athletes complete their college careers with the program. Key returnees to the lineup this season include outside Julia Sawatzky, who will be the lone fifth year in the program, and the most impactful attacker, stacking up the most kills on the team in 2025/26 with 194. Blazers' Rookie of the Year for women's sports Victoria McPherson will be another to watch, as she demonstrated a dominance at the net that we expect to continue this coming season. With such a deep middle roster, Blazers head coach Craig McKenzie has the added luxury of moving McPherson to the right side if a seasoned rostered player is needed on the pin.
The cast of returning outsides is perhaps the Blazers incoming head coach's biggest puzzle to piece together. After the aforementioned Julia Sawatzky, who will be a lock in the P1 spot, the loss of Haley Bickell will likely be filled to start by athletic sophomore Kiersten Reimer, who saw a good amount of playing time in relief last season. If the technically sound sophomore Peyton Kroeker can make the next developmental jump she could find herself in the mix as the next up replacement, alongside incoming recruit Ryann Hay, and returnee Imani Rhoden.
A stacked middle court lineup starting with veteran Peyton Pistawka, and the aforementioned rookie of the year Victoria McPherson, no losses at this position will create an absolute embarassment of riches for McKenzie to utilize. Expect the returning duo to start the season again, but don't be surprised to see the re-signed Danika Jakabek push for playing time, especially with Pistawka dealing with some recurring injuries for much of last season. In her third year with the team, but second year of eligibility, athletic middle Lexi Unrau could also take the next step in her development, while teammate Mel Giesbrecht has also looked more than capable of playing at the college level over the last two years. Incoming recruit Katey Ward may take some time to bring her game up to college speed, but has undeniable height and upside. Head Coach Craig McKenzie has undoubtedly the deepest and possibly most talented roster of middles in the conference at his disposal, so don't be surprised to see some of his more versatile student-athletes to fill in at other spots to add height across his front row.
The vacant right side position is perhaps the biggest hole to fill this season, with rookie Ashley Porco looking to have the front-running position to start, unless a swap is made from a middle or left side player. Athletic sophomore Tori Mangin is looking to play more at right this year, making way for incoming libero Reece Cowan to backup fourth-year athlete Maria Johnson as defensive specialist. After a year and a half with the program, Rayne Fuentes has the drivers' seat to start at setter for the Blazers, but expect a tandem system with incoming recruit Paige Whiteside to get some time on court.
After a historic run in 2025/26, time will tell whether the Assiniboine Cougars will be back in top form in September, or whether their roster will take a step back. The biggest wildcard this season will be the returning Red River Rebels; with the largest student base in the conference they may be immediately competitive, but may also be a couple years away from building back their program. St Boniface had a magical run at the end of last season to beat out Providence and make the MCAC playoffs; expect to see their young roster to take another step forward towards their former championship form from the early 2020s. The Pilots definitely had a down season last year, and with some veteran players departing they may be buoyed from some fresh blood in the lineup. If anything is certain, expect another very tight race in the standings next year as the teams vie for a spot at the CCAA Nationals in Montreal to cap off the season.
