(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS women’s volleyball team is adding heralded outside hitter Taven Stevenson to their recruiting class of 2023.
The 5’11” Stevenson, from Fall River, Nova Scotia, has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2023-2024 Atlantic University Sport season.
“Taven is someone we’re extremely excited about,” said REDS’ head coach Richard Schick. “Her experience playing in big matches throughout her young career, at the high school, provincial team and Canada Games team levels, as well as the Targeted Athlete training she’s received, is something that we believe will help her in the transition to the U SPORTS level.”
The 17-year-old, finishing her Grade 12 year at Fall River’s Lockview High School, is a veteran member of the school’s varsity girls team and helped lead Lockview to a silver medal at the 2021 Nova Scotia high school championship.
At the club level, she’s a member of the Fall River Fury. In 2022, Stevenson was part of Fall River’s U18 side that finished fourth at the provincial championship tournament.
She was a member of Nova Scotia’s Canada Games team in 2022, represented the province at the 2022 Canada Cup, and has been part of Nova Scotia’s Provincial Excellence Program and Targeted Athlete Program since 2020.
“The team culture and competitive environment are what drew me to the REDS,” said Stevenson. “When Coach Schick shared his vision to have a competitive team, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. I am beyond excited to become part of this team and learn from my new teammates and coaches.”
Stevenson says her goals will include helping the team reach the top of the AUS standings and representing UNB at U SPORTS championships.
“I’m a supportive teammate and I always have my team’s best interest at heart,” she said. “I always do my best to help my team succeed in any capacity.”
“I believe Taven has only scratched the surface of what she’s fully capable of,” said Coach Schick. “She’ll be a strong presence at the net on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.”
Stevenson will study Arts while attending UNB.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS: Submitted