Versatile volleyball player Larea Johnson has committed to play for the Briercrest women’s volleyball team for the 2014-15 season.

Briercrest women’s volleyball head coach Nolan Weinmaster is excited for all of the attributes that Johnson will bring to the team this fall.

“Larea is a great natural athlete and has a high ceiling of potential,” Weinmaster said. “I am excited about adding a left-handed right side to our team who can be physical at the net. She has a strong work ethic, a strong desire to learn, and a champion’s attitude, so I am excited to see how great she will become! Larea comes from a great family, has a great heart for God and others, and will be a player who brings a lot of the character we look for to our team.”

The Assiniboia, Saskatchewan native will be graduating from Assiniboia Composite High School where she has been on the Honour Roll each year of high school. She has accumulated quite an extensive volleyball resume since she began playing in 2009.

“I have played club for the Assiniboia Aces, Moose Jaw Element Panthers (current) and the Saskatchewan Provincial Volleyball Team,” Johnson explained. “I have played both left and right side along with middle, although right side is definitely my primary position.  One of my favorite volleyball moments was in Grade 11, playing against the Caronport High School Cougars at regionals in the gold medal match.  Although we came up short with the final score being 37-35 for the Cougars, our team was more unified and intense than ever before.  In my Grade 11 year we were also awarded the Provincial Sportsmanship award for demonstrating honour, respect and showing sportsmanlike conduct both on and off the court to officials, opposing teams, teammates and coaches.”

The 5-11 right side is excited to attend Briercrest this fall to play volleyball and further her education.

“Last fall I received the highest mark in Career and Work 20 where I studied for 60 hours at the Assiniboia 7th Avenue School in the Kindergarten classroom,” Johnson explained. “This is where I decided that I wanted to study elementary education, which is what I will be studying at Briercrest. The things I am looking forward to about being at Briercrest are playing volleyball, meeting new people and pursuing my education.”