(FREDERICTON, NB) Kelsie Dukart is following a former coach.

Dukart, who once played under Christine Biggs in the University of Alberta’s U18 Pandas volleyball program, is rejoining Biggs, this time as a member of the UNB Reds women’s volleyball team.

Biggs took over the Reds last season, after serving as an assistant at the University of Alberta.

“For me, the coaching staff really made me want to come to play for the Reds,” said Dukart, who has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent.

The 18-year-old outside hitter is coming off a season with the Grande Prairie Regional College Wolves, of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference. Dukart was named the Wolves’ Rookie of the Year.

“Kelsie is a player who I’ve seen improve more in one season than I’d thought possible,” said Biggs. “She is extremely coachable, committed to both personal and team development, and a strong academic.” 

In her final season at Memorial Composite High School, in Stony Plain, Alberta, Dukart helped the Marauders finish second in Division 1 of the Edmonton Metro High School League and take the bronze medal at the Alberta (4A) championship.

With the Pandas U18 squad, she was part of a Division 2 winning team at the Canadian club volleyball championships.

“I think the strengths I bring to the Reds are my defensive abilities and a hardworking mindset,” said Dukart.

“As an athlete, she’s got outstanding feel on the ball, relentless defensive skills, and the dynamics to contribute in the front and back court as an outside hitter or defensive player,” said Biggs.

Dukart will join the Reds ahead of the 2019-2020 Atlantic University Sport season.

“As a Red, I hope to become a ‘go to’ player and make a positive impact on the court,” said Dukart.

She’ll study Kinesiology while attending UNB.