Two highly-touted Winnipeg high school volleyball standouts are coming to Brandon University.
6-foot-3 outside hitter/libero Brady Nault and 6-foot-1 outside hitter Bruce Akubukaka have signed with the Bobcats for the 2014-2015 Canada West season
"To be able to bring in two high-profile, impact athletes out of Winnipeg, I think is pretty significant. We haven’t always been able to pull those top-end guys out of Winnipeg, so to be able to do that I think it’s a big thing for our program and we’re looking forward to them coming," coach Grant Wilson told CKLQ’s Tyler Crayston.
Akubukaka helped the St. Paul’s Crusaders to a runner-up finish at AAAA provincials, while Nault and the Westwood Warriors were quarter-finalists.
"I chose BU because I felt like it would be the right place for me. The Bobcats have produced great volleyball players such as Paul Sanderson, Paul Robidoux and Sam Tuivai, and I am excited to learn from current players, focus on my studies and become the best student athlete I can be," Akubukaka told gobobcats.ca "I’ve heard that the team atmosphere of the Bobcats is something that is unmatched by other schools. I am also excited to join and contribute to a successful volleyball program that has been built in Brandon," said Nault.
Akubukaka and Nault were both recognized for their efforts in their senior high school seasons by being named graduating all-stars by Volleyball Manitoba.
The duo also recently teamed up to earn a national bronze medal with the WinMan Legends at the recent Canadian club championship, with the squad coached by former Bobcat Paul Robidoux.
"In terms of the recruiting crop this year, there were only a handful of guys that we felt in Manitoba high schools that were going to be ready to jump to the CIS level, and we were fortunate to land two of them," said Wilson. "I think between the two of them they’re both going to bring a couple of things that our team is looking for and long-term I think they have great potential."
