(FREDERICTON, NB) Talia Nixon is coming home.
The Fredericton-born multi-sport star, currently attending Ridley College, in St. Catharines, Ontario, has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS women’s volleyball team ahead of the 2023-2024 Atlantic University Sport season.
“I grew up here,” she said. “I was one of the kids that sat in the stands and said I’m going to play on this floor someday. Now, knowing that I’m going to get to do that, is exciting.”
The 6’0” Nixon, who plays the right side and setter positions, was heavily recruited by volleyball and rowing teams at the U SPORTS and NCAA levels.
“I like what Coach Schick has created since coming here,” said Nixon. “I’m excited to see what he does here and I really want to be part of that. I want the REDS to be known as a threat and I’m interested in helping create that legacy here.”
Nixon was a member of New Brunswick’s women’s volleyball team at the 2022 Canada Summer Games. She was also a member of the U19 national youth team.
Currently, she’s playing with the Mountain Volleyball Club’s U18 side on the Ontario club circuit.
She’s also a member of Ridley’s prep rowing team and the school’s girls’ basketball team.
“I could not be more excited,” said REDS head coach Richard Schick. “To be able to add a player like Talia is something that only strengthens our ability to do what we’re trying to do, which is to compete for and win AUS and national championships.”
“She’s motivated to be the best at everything she does,” said Schick. “Combine her passion with her physicality and skill, and you have an athlete that is driven to improve not only herself, but everyone around her.”
A former member of the Fredericton Aquanauts Swim Team, Nixon also swam at Fredericton High School before moving to Ridley College.
She played her U15 and U16 seasons with the Reds Volleyball Crimson sides before joining the Niagara Rapids for U17.
“I wanted Talia to want to play at UNB because she believed in the program and what we’re trying to accomplish,” said Schick. “What she wants out of the sport is exactly what I feel we, as a program, can provide and I trust that we’re the ones to help her achieve her personal and team objectives. Her goals mesh very well with what our current student-athletes want and are motivated by each and every day.”
The meshing of goals that Schick speaks of echoes when Nixon is asked about how she sees things happening.
“I want to see UNB at the top of the AUS standings,” she answers, quickly and emphatically. “Long-term, we should be competing for the U SPORTS Championship, playing in U SPORTS finals.”
Having lived away from home the past few years, attending school, Nixon acknowledges the lure of returning to Fredericton was a factor.
“I wanted to spread my wings and do my own thing, have that out-of-province experience,” she said. “But even though I’m coming home, I’m still going to be in a new environment, with new people, doing new things.”
Nixon will study Arts and Science while attending UNB.
STORY AND PHOTOS: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics