Hansen-Young Returns to Cougars Volleyball

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WVB

Jayde Hansen-Young is returning to the court for the Cougars after completing the Health Care Aide program at the college with a 4.2 Grade Point Average in 2021.

Although she trained with the Cougars, the team never did get the chance to compete due to the onset of the pandemic. She returns having never used any eligibility as the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference cancelled the 2020-21 season.

Hansen-Young graduated with honours from Vincent Massey High School in Brandon. She was a dynamic outside hitter for Massey’s Vikings, named a Manitoba High School Athletic Association (MSHAA) 2019 AAAA Graduating All-Star. That same season she helped lead the Vikings to a AAAA provincial final. She mimicked those same results a few years earlier when the Vikings were JV finalists and she was awarded an all-star nod. Hansen-Young honed her skills through the Quantum Volleyball Club at a young age before playing for Club West Volleyball in her teens. Again, Hansen-Young helped Club West place second at the Western Canadian Championships in 2018. She followed that up playing two seasons for the Manitoba Provincial Team in 2018 and 2019.

“We are very excited to have Jayde return to the Cougars. As a stronger, more experienced athlete we expect her to have a positive impact on our team success,” said head coach Kevin Neufeld. “Her competitive nature will be a great asset to our younger players as we battle for the MCAC championship.”

Volleyball is a family event and Hansen-Young played countless hours growing up. The five-foot-eight attacker has an aunt and uncle that played volleyball for the Brandon University Bobcats where her great Uncle Russ Paddock is the athletic director. Her grandmother has coached volleyball at the high school level for decades. With the extensive family background, volleyball was a natural choice for Hansen-Young.

“My leadership skills and defensive abilities are my strongest attributes,” said Hansen-Young. “I’m looking forward to playing at a competitive level again, making new relationships and being part of a strong team.”

Hansen-Young’s interest was peaked by the future of sustainable foods and the systems that went along with food harvesting. These interests paired perfectly with the colleges Horticulture program that she plants to attend in the fall.