2025/26 Women's Volleyball Roster Preview
Blazers WVB huddle up during their MCAC Finals appearance in February
Blazers women's volleyball has been one of the most active programs this off-season, with recruiting for the 2025/26 squad beginning back in November, and it continued to add pieces throughout the winter and spring. The Blazers were back in the MCAC Finals this past February, and are hoping to land another spot at the 2026 CCAA Nationals next March, when the tournament comes to Manitoba for the first time.
Blazers Athletics continues its 2025/26 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 Rachel Bartel, and Annika Kornelsen at their final regular season match of the 2024/25 campaign. Bartel, who came into CMU as a left-side with setting experience ended her final two seasons as the go-to defensive specialist, though she still featured in a couple matches as a hitter, and in relief at setter prior to the Christmas break this past season. Kornelsen has been a story of improvement throughout her time with the team, recruited as an outside hitter, she saw her success rise as a powerful middle attacker and blocker. Both veterans will have their leadership qualities missed this coming year.
There are also a few Blazers hanging up their jerseys this year and moving onto other persuits as rookie setter Abi Jeffrey, and third years Amy Neustater (libero), and Kiera Haney (outside) 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 Maria Johnson, Danika Jakabek, Kiersten Reimer, Tori Mangin, Peyton Kroeker, and Victoria McPherson. With only 12 players rostered last season, the Blazers incoming head coach will have the luxury of fielding an expanded roster this year, with plenty of competition for playing time available.
Maria Johnson | 5'9" Libero | Briercrest Clippers & CBC Bearcats
The Blazers' first signing of the off-season is a seasoned libero with CCAA experience first at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, BC, then at Briercrest in Caronport, SK. The Nanaimo, BC native spent this past season studying on the island at VIU and will look to take starting libero reps with the departure of Bartel and possibly Neustater.
Coach's Quote: "Maria is a very exciting addition to an already veteran team. We are confident that her ball control, experience, court presence, and work ethic will positively contribute to the team's culture and success."
Danika Jakabek | 5'11" Middle | Lord Selkirk Regional | Shock Club
With the graduation of mainstay in the middle Annika Kornelsen, expect Jakabek to push for one of the starting positions in the middle this season as her height and athleticism should make her a college-ready recruit. An MHSAA graduating All-Star and multiple provincial club champion, Jakabek certainly has the pedigree to bring more wins for the Blazers this season.
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 league."
Kiersten Reimer | 5'8" Left Side | Steinbach Regional Secondary | Junior Pilots
Continuing the tradition of bringing in top rural talent to the team, Kiersten Reimer comes from a very good program in Steinbach, with provincial club all-star accolades as well. The athletic outside attacker will look to break into a crowded pool of returning outsides on the team this season.
Coach's Quote: "We are excited to add Kiersten's athleticism, drive, and spirit to the team. After only a few interactions with Kiersten, she already feels like a member of the team and fits seamlessly into Blazers culture."
Tori Mangin | 5'7" Setter/Right Side | Prairie Mountain High | Winkler Club Bandits
Initially signed to a red shirt spot this past spring, look for Mangin to claim a roster spot with the exit of setter Abi Jeffrey this off-season. The right-side specialist can set or attack, so her versatility and athleticism will certainly be an asset wherever she slots in. A true multi-sport rural athlete, Mangin has competed for championships in fastball, basketball, and athletics as well.
Coach's Quote: "Upon meeting Tori and watching her play, we immediately knew we wanted to keep her work ethic, versatility, attitude, and athleticisim in our program."
Peyton Kroeker | 5'11" Left Side | Westwood Collegiate | Cobras Club
A local recruit from just down Roblin boulevard, Peyton adds more length to the Blazers' outside attack which could be a incredible asset, especially against bigger competition across the CCAA. Look for Kroeker to use her height to factor in shutting down the opposition's right side attack at the net.
Coach's Quote: "Peyton's work ethic in the gym and in the classroom is a perfect match for our team culture. She brings strength, height, composure, and athletic potential that will help on the national stage."
Victoria McPherson | 6'1" Middle | Lord Selkirk Regional | Winman Club
Coming out of the same strong high school program as fellow new recruit Danika Jakabek, Victoria McPherson is the latest and likely final recruit for the Blazers this off-season. At a height hard to ignore, look for McPherson's play at the net to do the talking as she seeks to cement her spot in the lineup during pre-season.
Coach's Quote: "Victoria is an offensive and defensive middle who leads with a quiet confidence and work ethic. She will be a very welcome addition to the team."
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 perennial MCAC All-Conference selection Halle Meisner, who will return for a fifth and final season with CMU. Meisner finished the 2024/25 season second in MCAC in kills, third in kills per set, and at top spot for kill efficiency. Veteran setter Paige Wright is also back, and after returning to the Blazers lineup mid-season last year after a season-ending injury during the 2023/24 campaign, look for Wright to command CMU's offense off the hop following a good off-season of training. Sophomore Peyton Pistawka continued her dominance in the middle in 2024/25 and should be a lock for one of the starting middle spots this coming year. Pistawka was perhaps the most consistent performer throughout last season and plays a defence at the net that continually frustrates the opposition.
The cast of returning outsides is perhaps the Blazers incoming head coach's biggest puzzle to piece together. A rotating cast of attackers that included the aforementioned Halle Meisner, as well as Julia Sawatzky, Haley Bickell, and Kiera Haney had everyone guessing who might start on any given night last season. With even more talent coming in with new recruits Kiersten Reimer and Peyton Kroeker, look for competition to be high in pre-season as players jostle for lineup spots. With liberos Rachel Bartel and Amy Neustater both out of the picture, don't be surprised to see an occasional appearance at libero for any of these outside attackers.
With a vacant spot at middle up for grabs, new middles Danika Jakabek and Victoria McPherson should be ready for the college game to step into that role for the Blazers if needed. Don't count out 2024/25 red shirt Mel Giesbrecht as another potential option for the coach to slot in someone with experience at the college level and in the Blazers' system, or returnee Lexi Unrau, who after an injury-plagued first year with the team should be back at full health to compete for that spot as well.
Also worth noting is lengthy right side Avery Cook, who had a quiet start to last season splitting time in the middle and the right side, but finished extremely strong, often coming in to the front row during right-side and setter swap scenarios. Her height was a major factor in shutting down the opposition's top left sides, and she grew in confidence every match she played. Some wildcards coming into the season will also be red shirt setter Rayne Fuentes, and whether she can snag setting reps away from incoming recruit Tori Mangin, as well as whether 2024/25 red shirt left side Imani Rhoden will get promoted onto the roster in an already crowded stable of outside hitters.
The incoming Blazers Women's Volleyball head coach will certainly have their hands full with a roster loaded with talent and incoming height, as the team looks for another MCAC Championship and a berth as the top Manitoba seed at the 2026 CCAA National Championships.
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