Another member of the 5A provincial champion Swift Current Comprehensive High School Ardens volleyball team is going to play U Sports next season.
Amryne Duncalfe agreed to join the Memorial University Sea-Hawks women's volleyball program in St. John's, Newfoundland.
The grade 12 student started to focus on volleyball in her grade 10 year.
"I didn't make the senior team, and I made the junior team," Duncalfe said. "I didn't really take volleyball as serious. I was a multi-sport athlete, and I played basketball and volleyball. My junior coach said she could see me playing university one day. I was in shock and couldn't believe what she was saying. I started to take it more seriously and ended up quitting basketball so I could focus more on volleyball."
She was inspired by having the same coach with Sundogs club volleyball and the success of her brother Griffin Duncalfe.
"I started to take my practices more seriously after I watched my brother win the Canada Summer Games in 2022," Amryne said. "Then I was really focused on training and every practice. My passion for it is crazy, and I'm constantly watching film."
She started making highlight reels and sending letters to universities across the country. That's when she connected with Memorial and pointed to a great zoom call with Head Coach Sydney Rohm when considering her options.
"She was telling me how they're trying to build a team right now that came from nothing to this year actually making nationals," Duncalfe said. "I want to help that team come from nothing to win more games."
In a media release from the university, Rohm expressed excitement about Duncalfe's arrival, her strong presence at the net, and dedication to the game.
It's hard for Duncalfe to imagine how far away she will be moving.
"It's a crazy thing to think about," the 6'1" middle hitter said. "I've always wanted to live on an island, and I guess that's what I got. It's going to be hard being away from my family and friends, but no matter where I am, I'm going to be playing volleyball. I'm going to have to train really hard."
She plans to pursue a degree in psychology at Memorial.
Her brother Griffin recently won a U Sports bronze medal at nationals with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
