The Women's Volleyball team will return in 2021-2022 with some familiar faces behind the bench, as well as one new addition. Head Coach Matthew Schnarr returns for his sixth season alongside Nick Petrella, Ben Tonin and Taylor Brisebois.
Brisebois is the newest addition to the coaching staff and comes in with some real pedigree in the volleyball world. The Bolton native won an OUA Championship in 2013-2014 with McMaster University and was also named a First and Second Team OUA All-Star during her time with the Marauders. Following her collegiate career, Brisebois headed to Europe where she played three pro seasons in Sweden, Denmark and Germany.
"Taylor is our newest addition who I've had my eye on to join our staff since her return from playing pro overseas," says Schnarr. "Her athletic career alone gives the athletes a role model and athlete to aspire to be. She will have an immediate impact with her quiet competitive streak and insight to get this program to the top."
Petrella enters his seventh season with the Women's Volleyball program and the team has continued to get better and progress every year since he jumped on board. Petrella's education and experiences throughout his life are a big asset to those he coaches and throughout the entire program. The Burlington native serves as the Mountaineers Elite Athlete Performance Coach and is also a professor in the Health, Wellness and Fitness program at the college.
"Nick has been with the program since I moved into the role and he has been an integral member on the staff," added Schnarr on his longest serving assistant. "Nick's expertise is in strength and conditioning but his impact goes far beyond that. Nick is a family man who bring those values to the program. He is empathetic and a listener for when the athletes need it most."
Rounding out the staff is Ben Tonin who brings his youthfulness and energy to the staff. Tonin graduated from Mohawk in 2016 and played for the Men's Volleyball team during that time. Tonin enters his fifth season with the club.
"Ben's contribution as a recent Mountaineer athlete has been integral to the development of our athletes. He connects with them and has an eye for small details. His leadership and creativity add true value to the program," says Schnarr.
The trio of Schnarr, Petrella and Tonin has worked well as shown by the team's 41-21 record over the past three OCAA seasons. Add in the volleyball experience and knowledge from Brisebois' and this coaching staff has quite the balance. Coach Schnarr raves about the group he's assembled for the upcoming season.
"Our coaching staff consists of former athletic experience, energy, compassion and a genuine care for each athlete. I would put this coaching staff up against any other in the OCAA and CCAA," continued Schnarr.
The Women's Volleyball team has continued to thrive over the past few years and despite the missed season, the program returns many of their players for the 2021-2022 season. The team will be an exciting one to follow next year and a lot of that begins with how this coaching staff likes to operate.
