(FREDERICTON, NB) A pair of setters and an outside hitter round out the UNB Reds recruiting class of 2018.
Winners of the final three Atlantic University Sport championships, the Reds are preparing for the new eastern Canadian university league that includes Dalhousie, Laval, Sherbrooke, and the University of Montreal.
Calum Doherty is a 6’3” outside hitter, from London, Ontario.
He was most recently a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo Predators Volleyball Club team that earned a silver medal at the Ontario Volleyball Association’s provincial championships.
“Calum comes from one of the best volleyball club teams in Ontario, and has had a lot of experience as a starter over the past few seasons,” said Reds head coach Dan McMorran. “He’s a hard worker who is determined to succeed at the next level, so we’re looking forward to having him join our program.”
“I really enjoy passing and playing defence,” said Doherty. “My blocking reading is improving, and I’m creating a good variety of shots. I hope to be able to play for a U SPORTS banner and be a strong leader with the Reds.”
Jonah Winter is a 6’3” setter from Valleyfield, Newfoundland and Labrador.
A member of the team at Lester Pearson Memorial High School, Winter played with the Loopers Volleyball club team and was the starting setter for Team Atlantic at the 2018 National Cup event, in Richmond, B.C.
“As the top setter coming out of Newfoundland and Labrador this year, Jonah has had a lot of provincial success and will add depth to this position on our roster,” said McMorran. “He has good size and strength. With hard work, he has the potential to be a quality player at the U SPORTS level.”
“I’m a very competitive and hard-working athlete,” said Winter. “I’m the type of person that isn’t satisfied unless I leave every practice and every game knowing that I gave one-hundred percent effort on the court.”
“I plan to do whatever is asked of me, and will be grateful to take on any role I am given,” he said.
Brad Merryweather won’t have to travel as far as Doherty and Winter.
The 6’3” setter is from New Maryland, and played with the Reds Volleyball Club and the varsity boys team at Fredericton High School.
“Brad is an athlete I’ve watched grow over the past few years, and has developed into a top all-round player,” said McMorran. “He’ll be someone who has the potential to make a significant impact as a setter with our program.”
“I’ve been coming to watch the UNB games since I was six years old,” said Merryweather. “I’ve grown up being coached by some of them and have always looked up to them, so to get to play alongside them is an honour. It was an easy choice to join the hometown team.”
“I can set and hit, so I have some versatility,” he said.
Doherty and Winter will enter UNB’s Faculty of Arts, while Merryweather will pursue a Science degree.
All three have signed U SPORTS Letters of Intent, and will join the Reds beginning in the 2018-19 season.