By Andrew Nowel, Sports Reporter
Junior Captain Ella Bourque of the Canisius volleyball team hit yet another milestone this past weekend, as the Griffs hosted the Ellicott Hotel Western New York Invitational. Not only did she pass Britanny Gerde for ninth all-time in the Canisius record books for career assists; she also earned her 2,000th assist in Friday’s loss against the Bucknell Bison. For Bourque, the record isn’t just about her own performances; it’s about the team around her, helping to finish off every play that continues to build her legacy.
Coming from a four-year letterwinner at Yorkville High School in Illinois, Bourque didn’t waste any time making a name for herself in the MAAC her freshman year. She earned MAAC Setter of the Year, the first Canisius volleyball player to do so, while being one of just two players to appear in all 104 sets that season. Bourque was the first-ever Canisius freshman to score over 1,000 assists, helping her earn MAAC Rookie of the Year and an ALL-MAAC Second Team award. Bourque believes it wasn’t just because of her accomplishments, but rather, the team that has helped her become the player she is today.
“I have to give all that credit to my team, because you can’t get those assists without a pass and the hitters getting a kill. I also can’t take a lot of the credit for that. I would give a lot of that credit to my teammates and coaches for getting me there,” said Bourque this past Wednesday.
Being a student-athlete comes with many responsibilities off the court, but Bourque knows how to balance it very well. “I think it’s tough, and a lot of college athletes would agree on that. But once you get the hang of it, it becomes fun being part of a team while also enjoying the school aspect of it,” she said.
Entering her junior season, Ella Bourque is ready to take on the captain role alongside seniors Jillian Hanna and Kara Zaucha. They are ready to prove that the Griffs are not a team to be pushed around once MAAC play begins.
“I think we really have a good group this year, and I love being a captain with Jill and Kara since they’re both great leaders,” Bourque explained. “I think we’ve created a great atmosphere and expectations for this year. We start MAAC play next weekend, and I think we have great team chemistry and it shows.”
“We’re showing the flashes of being a really great team,” said Head Coach Tom Hanna on Wednesday. “To Ella’s point,” he continued, “I think we have the group of people to do it. I think we have more than enough talent even though we’re a little thin in terms of numbers, but we have time to be there in the end.”
This past weekend, Bourque helped the Griffs to force five sets against Bucknell. She earned her 2,000th assist on the point that won the fourth set for the Griffs, having one of her best games all season with 43 assists. As Ella Bourque continues to climb the leaderboard of assists in Canisius volleyball history, the Griffs hope that this year is “the year” behind the leadership of Bourque, Hanna, and Zaucha, as well as the strong community the team has built amongst themselves.
“[Their atmosphere] was noticeable on arrival,” said Coach Hanna. “Something as simple as moving the freshmen in, we could see some of the interactions that everyone was having. It allows us to move forward without dealing with other stuff and focus on volleyball.”
The Griffs travel to the Pittsburgh area for the Robert Morris/Duquesne Invitational this weekend to wrap up non-conference play. They will play a doubleheader on Friday, Sept. 20, against the Central Michigan Chippewas and the Robert Morris Colonials, with a match against the Duquesne Dukes on the following day at 3 p.m.
Photo Courtesy of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
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