Hitter And Setter To Join Reds

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds men’s volleyball team is proud to introduce the first members of the team’s recruiting class of 2020.

Outside hitter Jacob Harris, of Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Austin Regier, a setter from Warman, Saskatchewan, have signed U SPORTS Letters of Intent, and will join the Reds ahead of the 2020-2021 RSEQ season.

“I’m extremely happy with the 2020 recruits we have to date,” said Reds head coach Dan McMorran. “They have the size, athleticism, and potential to be significant players for our program in the very near future, but of equal importance, they have the quality of character that will only add to our team culture.”

The 6’6” Harris joins the Reds following an impressive Grade 12 season with the Clarenville High School Cougars.

He was named playoff MVP for the second straight year as the Cougars captured their second consecutive Newfoundland and Labrador AAAA high school championship.

The Cougars also won the Dalhousie High School Invitational, where Harris was named MVP of the tournament.

Harris has been a member of numerous provincial and club teams, including Newfoundland and Labrador’s entry at the 2019 Eastern Elite Championships, where Team NL won the gold medal and Harris was named tournament MVP.

“The one thing that appealed to me is how close knit everyone on campus is, especially the guys on the team,” said Harris. “By watching them play, and hanging out with them, it showed me how connected they are. They have such a great bond.”

"Jacob is one of the most physical athletes in this year's graduating class in all of Atlantic Canada,” said Coach McMorran. “He’s a powerful and athletic outside hitter who has carried a significant load on every team he’s recently played for. As he develops other areas in his game, he has the potential to be a dominant player in U SPORTS."

Harris, who will study Kinesiology while attending UNB, has his eyes set on making an immediate impact with the Reds.

“As a short-term goal, I’ve set out to put in work in the gym and on the court to hopefully land a starting position as soon as possible,” he said.

Regier, a 6’4” setter, is finishing his Grade 12 year with the Valley Christian Academy Lions.

He helped the Lions to the silver medal in Saskatchewan’s AA high school championship. VCA earned the silver medal at the AAAA provincial championship in 2019.

Regier, the Lions captain during his Grade 11 and 12 years, was named a tournament all-star at the 2019 Mustang Volley tournamnent, in Saskatoon, the province’s biggest annual volleyball showcase.

With his club team, Regier earned the most dedicated player award in 2017, the leader of the pack award in 2018, and was named MVP in 2019.

“The character of each player and the coaches, on and off the court, was the biggest reason that I want to spend my university career learning and competing at the University of New Brunswick,” said Regier. “I am privileged to play volleyball at this high level with the UNB Reds. My goal is to take the experiences and the fundamentals I’ll develop as a Reds student-athlete and to positively give back to the community.”

"Austin is a talented player who has the size and potential to be an impact setter in U SPORTS,” said Coach McMorran. “He has a passion for the game that has helped him to not only be an all-round skilled player, but a leader on the teams he plays for. With his desire to improve, both physically and technically, he has the potential to lead our offense in the very near future."

Regier will pursue a Business Administration degree while attending UNB.

Other members of the Reds exceptional 2020 recruiting class will be introduced in the near future.