Heat add six foot middle blocker

White Rock’s Emily Carroll will be making the jump from one city known for its beaches to another as she looks to join the Heat for the coming season.  The 6-foot Middle Blocker from White Rock Christian Academy comes in with high expectations as she will be expected to challenge for a starting spot with the recent departures of Sara Zaytsoff and Lindsay Loseth.

Carroll had an outstanding high school career where she was named to the All-Star team at the B.C. High School Championships after leading her team to a bronze medal.  She also played for the provincial 17-under team and served as a starting Middle for the provincial champion Fraser Valley Blitz.

When asked why she decided to join the Heat, Carroll replied “When I made my first visit to UBC Okanagan and met the team, I simply could feel it was the right fit. I felt that this was a place where I could learn and grow, surrounded by successful players and coaches. I left that session in the gym knowing UBC Okanagan was where I wanted to be.”

Carroll also looks forward to joining the Heat team saying “I can see myself being challenged by the Heat program, and that excites me. I want to play with those better than me and receive the best possible coaching, and I think that's what I am going to get at UBC O. My goal is to grow as a player, and the skills I build will be a great asset to the team in the coming years.”

Heat Head Coach Steve Manuel expects Carroll to step in immediately to help fill the void left by Zaytsoff and Loseth.  The loss of these two student athletes creates a bit of a gap in the middle which gives an opportunity for both Carroll and fellow recruit Kendra Wayling to make an immediate impact for the Heat. “Emily is an explosive athlete and a natural blocker, we believe that she will be a force for us in the middle.”

During her tenure in Kelowna, Carroll will be studying for her Bachelor of Science with the goal of eventually entering medical school where she looks to become a paediatrician.