Dive into "From The Throne" to explore the personal reflections of players and coaches that highlight their personal journeys, pivotal moments and behind-the-scenes stories that shape their careers. These features paint a personal portrait of the people behind their accomplishments.
 

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Moving across the country to attend Durham College and join the women's volleyball team was a big decision for me.
 
Coming all the way from Alberta, I wasn't sure what to expect when I got here.
 
I was nervous about being away from home and my family, but I also knew this was a fantastic opportunity for me to grow as a student and as an athlete.
 
Durham made me feel welcome right away.
 
Tony had immediately connected me with some of the players on the team, and I instantly clicked with a lot of them.
 
I knew I wanted to be part of a team that felt like a second family, and that's exactly what I found here.
 
RECORD BREAKER
Being part of the women's volleyball team at Durham College has been life-changing, and I'm forever grateful for the people I've met and the friendships I've made.
 
These are lifelong friendships that will always hold a special place in my heart.
 
An incredibly meaningful moment of my time here was when I broke the program's all-time assists record.
 
It was an honour to achieve this milestone, knowing how much hard work was put in by the players who held this record before me.
 
But this accomplishment is much bigger than just me.
 
It reflects all the times my teammates were able to turn my sets into successful plays.
 
Without them, I wouldn't have any assists, so I'm incredibly grateful for each and every one of my teammates who helped me achieve this record.
 
REFLECTING ON FIVE YEARS
When I think back on my five years at Durham, what stands out the most are the people I've met and the friendships I've made.
 
These are lifelong relationships that I will cherish forever.
 
I've been lucky to have played with some amazing volleyball players and role models.
 
More recently, I've thoroughly enjoyed setting up Elizabeth McFarland and Jessie Buck, knowing I could trust them to break through any block or defence system.
 
As a setter, my goal is to make my hitters successful by delivering the ball to the right spot every time.
 
Setting is also about tricking the blockers on the other side and creating opportunities for my hitters to hit against fewer blocks.
 
It's a position that requires a lot of strategy and coordination with my teammates.
 
ON THE NATIONAL STAGE
Competing at nationals on our home court in 2025 was an experience like no other.
 
I'm aware that only a select few athletes get the chance to compete at nationals, so I was incredibly grateful to be part of that.
 
The intensity, excitement, and reward of playing in front of a home crowd was unmatched.
 
Nothing in my five years at Durham came close to that experience.
 
HOW THIS PROGRAM SHAPED ME
Being part of the DC women's volleyball program has meant the world to me.
 
It's been a part of me for almost a quarter of my life, and it's been the best chapter so far.
 
This program has shaped me into the person I am today and has given me so much both on and off the court.
 
The friendships, lessons learned, and countless experiences will stay with me forever.
 
It has truly been my second family for five years, and I will always be grateful for the time I spent on this team.
 
As a leader, I tried to emulate the qualities of my previous captain.
 
I wanted to be someone who consistently worked hard and pushed the team to be the best they could be.
 
I wanted the younger players to understand that effort and attitude matter just as much as skill.
 
Creating a supportive and approachable environment was important to me, where my teammates felt comfortable, confident, and motivated to grow.
 
THE FUTURE
Beyond volleyball, I pursued my education in the Occupational and Physiotherapy Assistant program and am now working towards my nursing degree at Ontario Tech University.
 
My goal is to become a registered nurse and work in Alberta.
 
While I'm excited about what the future holds, I know I'll always carry the lessons and experiences from my time at Durham with me.
 
What I'll miss most about being a student-athlete is the sense of routine and purpose it brought to my life.
 
I'll miss the practices, games, and the camaraderie of being part of a team.
 
The midday hangouts in the team room, doing homework together, and just being around my teammates and coaches every day – those are the moments that are hard to replace.
 
The people at Durham have made my time here truly special, and I'll always cherish the memories we've created together.