The London native and Saunders Secondary grad led the Mustangs attack in the women’s volleyball Canadian championships this past weekend in Saskatoon, Sask. The team finished with a record of 2-1 and fifth place in Canada after claiming the Ontario University Athletics title versus the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks the previous Saturday.
Mann is one of the Mustangs’ starting outside hitters and one of the main reasons Western lost only two games all year. The team achieved two main goals it set for what Mann describes as the best year she has ever had in volleyball.
The team’s first goal was to win the OUA championship, and the second was to win at least two games in the national finals. Mann’s ’Stangs accomplished both of these lofty goals in a terrific allround season.
On a team of best friends, Mann commented that any time a player would go into a game or practice feeling down, she would always leave with a smile on her face. It’s hard not to succeed playing in such an encouraging atmosphere.
In the off-season, Mann practices with London’s Forest City club (a junior varsity team) to keep her skills sharp until the summer, when she is set to play beach volleyball with fellow teammate Laura Bryce.
Mann also used to play baseball in her younger days, which no doubt helped improve her power and excellent hand-eye coordination.
Mann gives a lot of credit to OUA Coach of the Year Dean Lowrie, pointing to the support and level of understanding he showed throughout the year as he adapted to each player on the team and coached the group to a championship crown.
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