Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – From the moment a student-athlete steps through the doors at MacEwan, their journey is a special one filled with memories of great plays, big wins, unforgettable times with teammates and a transformation into the person they are today.
In five years (or less), which feels like the blink of an eye, that journey is over.
As our graduating student-athletes move on from the program and prepare for the next chapter of life, we are asking them to reflect on their time as a Griffin.
From March 15-24, we will be featuring Q&As with our graduates by sport.
Here is the schedule:
Today – Women's Volleyball
March 22 – Men's Hockey
March 23 – Women's Soccer
March 24 – Cross Country
Carly Weber crushes a kill against Alberta during a 2019-20 game at the David Atkinson Gym (Eduardo Perez photo).
Carly Weber
Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter (2016-21)
Graduating with … Bachelor of Science in Molecular Cellular Biology and a minor in Statistics
Future plans … Taking a year off to work and volunteer before applying to medical school
What are some of your favourite memories from your time as a Griffin?
"I would say the memories that stick out the most are travelling with the team – just being on the road, flying, in hotels, and just hanging out with the team. That's straight up the most fun I've had throughout my years. Then the one volleyball moment that sticks out was our sweep against Trinity Western where we beat them two nights in a row (Feb. 8-9, 2019). That was the best feeling I ever had in this whole experience. Before coming to MacEwan, my club coach was actually a Trinity Western alum. Even before coming to MacEwan, a few of the Trinity Western girls helped coach our team. In my first year, it was really cool playing against Trinity Western because they had previously coached me. To play against them and then a couple years later to beat them was really cool."
Any other highlights that stand out, even funny stories?
"I would say the only other thing, I really enjoying being right side and running middle plays with Kylie (Schubert). Because Kylie and I are both German, we named some of the plays German names, like a "step" was a Schnitzel. That was kind of weird. But it was a really tense moment in a game and whenever she'd call that, it would alleviate stress, so it was fun."
When you look back yourself from when you first came to MacEwan from Mt. Albert, Ont. to where you are now, how would you look at your growth?
"I definitely think I'm more of a well-rounded player. I was more of a middle coming in, but I ended up being one of the best passers on the team, which was awesome. I was really proud of myself for that. Outside of volleyball, I'm so much more independent. I think that has something to do with travelling across Canada and living alone for the first time. I was living alone at 17. Just having to find my way, I made a lot of mistakes, but I'm definitely very different than I was in my first year. I'm super independent now and that's the main thing. I was really reliant on family and friends in my younger years, but I'm more of an individual, for sure."
Do you still plan to play volleyball?
"I think I'm mainly focused on med school and my career, but I'm definitely looking into playing beach volleyball. I'm roommates with Haley Gilfillan and so we've already been talking about playing beach volleyball together in the summer. Before COVID got really bad, our entire starting lineup from last year was on a women's league team together. I'd definitely do something like that."
Anything else you'd like to say about your time as a Griffin?
"I just think it was a really defining period of my life and really changed me as a person. Being on a team was amazing and I have a really lifelong network of family and friends in Edmonton that has actually made me want to stay and live in Edmonton."
Setter Kylie Schubert will always hold the title as the first MacEwan student-athlete to win a U SPORTS Athlete of the Week honour (Robert Antoniuk photo).
Kylie Schubert
Setter (2016-21)
Graduating with … Bachelor Science in Biology and Psychology (double major)
Future plans … Pursuing a Master's degree in Developmental Psychology and playing volleyball at Durham University in England
Do you have any individual highlights that stick out in your mind from your time with the Griffins – maybe a big play or the first time you came back from your injuries in 2017 after three major knee surgeries?
"Yeah, that first game back we were in Manitoba. I got subbed in to serve and I was terrified out of my mind. I think I served once and got subbed out. I remember sitting on the bench after with our assistant coaches and I was just freaking out. That was a huge moment for me, it finally coming to reality what I'd worked for. There were some other moments that were kind of funny. In our first preseason match this past year, there was a crazy play going on. I dove for a ball. Someone else had slightly dug it and the next contact was off the side of my body and then it came up. Hailey Cornelis played it over the net. It was just this stupid play that shouldn't have happened, but it did. That was one of the funniest moments."
Your journey back from injury was more than what most athletes have to go through and many would have shut it down. But you didn't. How proud are you that you persevered through that to be where you are now?
"I might cry. It's been surreal … There were moments where going through it I had so much doubt. But at the same time I just knew the road kept going. I couldn't be more proud today that I stuck it through. I have so many people to thank for that. I had so many encouraging coaches and teammates, and sports psychologists and friends and family. I couldn't be here talking with you today without them."
Obviously, this will go down in program history forever: you were the very first MacEwan athlete ever to get a U SPORTS athlete of the week honour last January. What does that distinction mean to you?
"That was also surreal and so unexpected. I feel very proud to be able to showcase that MacEwan is this high-competing power and people have to take us seriously. That was an honour to represent our school on a national level."
How did the opportunity to play volleyball next September at Durham University come about?
"I was inspired because my brother (former Griffin) Jared (Schubert) did it. He went over (to England) last year to Bournemouth University. He got his masters there and played volleyball. He had an awesome experience, so he kind of encouraged me to think about that as an option. It all seemed to have worked out. I'm really excited."
Anything else you'd like to say about being a MacEwan student-athlete?
"I would say to maybe either future Griffins or current Griffins just to take the moment in. Especially this year, we definitely learned how much it sucks without that team experience, with not seeing your teammates and spending time training and all of that. Don't take anything for granted. Soak in every second and enjoy the moment."
Libero Rachel Jorvina shattered the Canada West record for digs in a match with 63 against Winnipeg in January 2020 (Robert Antoniuk photo).
Rachel Jorvina
Libero (2016-21)
Graduating with … Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Future plans … Continuing her education
What are some of your favourite memories of your time as a Griffin?
"A lot of it was off the court with my team. I really enjoyed getting to know the girls. Definitely the team room antics were crazy, so I really enjoyed that. The best memories were made in our team room. I think helping our team make it to the Canada West playoffs for the first time was huge for us."
You broke the Canada West record for digs last January with 63 in a match against Winnipeg. What do you remember about that game?
"I really just remember crashing headfirst into the stands and feeling like this is the longest game ever. But it was very satisfying at the end of it. We were down two sets and we came back and won the next three, so that was really good. It was tiring."
It must be amazing to have that record. I don't even know when that will be broken again. You shattered it by a large mark.
"I wasn't expecting that."
Any other highlights stand out – big plays, wins or funny moments on the court?
"I already said it, but head-diving into the stands. Everyone in the stands thought I broke my neck, but I just walked off. That was really memorable. I guess beating some of the top teams for first time ever (also stands out). I think in my third year, we beat Trinity Western for the very first time. I'm not sure if we'd beaten the Dinos before that, but in my career, it was the first time we'd beaten the Dinos. Those were some huge wins for us. Even beating U of A last year, that was interesting."
If you look back at yourself when you first entered the program to now, how would you say you've grown as a player and a person?
"It went like an up-and-down roller-coaster. When I first entered, I was overly confident. Then you really get kicked in the butt your first couple of years of university trying to adjust to the practice schedule, the game schedule and trying to fit in your homework at the same time. It was very demanding and challenging, but it definitely caused me to grow. Now I know that I can confidently say I have a better handle on time management, how I should study, how I should communicate with others. I've definitely grown as a person on and off the court and that's all thanks to my teammates and the coaches. They really taught me a lot."
Anything else you'd like to say about being a Griffin?
"I definitely love the Griffins athletic family – every team. During my team, we were able to interact with more teams than just my own. It's just been a really good time. The whole Griffins experience was really good for me personally. It was a good setting for my academics and my athletics. It was a happy time for me."
Joslyn Peters transferred to MacEwan in 2019 after three seasons in the ACAC with the NAIT Ooks and relished the chance to play with her brother, Griffins men's volleyball player Jordan Peters (Eduardo Perez photo).
Joslyn Peters
Outside Hitter (2019-21)
Graduating with ... Previously holds Diploma in Respiratory Therapy from NAIT; currently finishing up pre-requisite courses at MacEwan for a Health Sciences degree from Thompson Rivers University
Future plans ... Finish off degree with courses at TRU; already working as a Respiratory Therapist
I know you haven't been with the program that long – transferring in to MacEwan in 2019 after three seasons with NAIT – but what are some of your favourite memories from the time you've been here?
"That's hard. I'd say travelling with the team and the team-room moments. It's a fun time."
Do you have any personal highlights that stick out to you from 2019-20?
"Personally, I did have a play where I jumped over the bench to save a ball. I got it up, but we didn't get it over the net. As a team, I'd say that time we beat the Pandas. When we were playing at MRU, that was good, too."
It was just one season, but you were able to play with your brother (Jordan Peters on the Griffins men's volleyball team). How special was that?
"That was great. It was a fun time. My older brother (former Griffin Joshua Peters) played the year or two before with him as well. It was fun. We'd commute to school. It was fun to be able to watch him play live whenever we travelled. It was good. My brother and I are pretty close."
You played three years at NAIT and then last season with MacEwan. Maybe reflect on your whole post-secondary career from when you first walked in the door to where you are today. How have you grown as a person and player?
"I've had to make some tough decisions. I was at NAIT for five years total doing school, but I only played my first three years there. Then I took a two-year break for a practicum for my career. I still wanted to play volleyball and I was thinking of pursuing a degree, so I got in touch with Ken (Briggs) and he said he'd have me. I thought it was a great decision – a lot of fun, really great experience. It was kind of tough to get back in it having taken two years off, but the team was good to me."
Anything else you'd like to say about your time as a Griffin?
"It's a very unique team with a great atmosphere. We're like a family. Everyone's nice, everyone's friendly. It was just a very good time, I don't regret it at all."
