Finding a Second Home in Grande Prairie

by ACAC Sports Writer Curtis J. Phillips

Bags are packed and you start to head north…traveling on Alberta Provincial Highway No. 43.

Passing towns and villages named Whitecourt, Fox Creek, Valleyview and Sturgeon Heights, your drive of around four-and-a-half-hours ends. You have reached your destination of Grande Prairie, Alberta.

A new life begins.

For Emily Groenenboom of St. Albert, Alberta, that new life began in the fall of 2014 when she became a student/athlete at Grande Prairie Regional College as a member of the Wolves women's volleyball team.

"When I was in high school (St. Albert Catholic High School) I went to a practice with the team (Wolves) and I liked the community and the girls and the programs that they offered," said Groenenboom, who is enrolled in Bachelor of Education UT.

"Plus, I kind of wanted to move away from home but not that far . So, it was a good fit for me."

Part of the "good fit" was the fact that her best friend and high school teammate, Nicole Clayton, had also been recruited by the Wolves.

"We have played together since Grade 8," said Groenenboom of Clayton. "She came here first and the coach asked if I had committed yet and I said no. So she is the person that kind of brought me here.

"Moving here was a bit scary but having your best friend made it much easier."

Groenenboom, an outside hitter, while Clayton is a setter, said the sport of volleyball has been an integral part in their long friendship.

"We always share that one thing…volleyball," said Groenenboom, who along with Clayton was part of an Alberta High Schools Athletic Association 3A provincial silver medal team in Grade 12. "Having her here is great as we get to experience everything together.

"On the court we know each other's attitude and tendencies. She does what she has to do and I do what I have to do. We help each other out as much as we can.

"There has never been anything that has come up between us on the court and that is pretty cool."

Groenenboom has recorded an impressive 153 kills, 119 digs and 11 blocks  for the Wolves this year, A  team that sports an impressive record of 14 matches won with only four lost and 46 sets won ahead of 20 lost.

Clayton has also been on the ball with 239 assists and eight service aces.

The 5-foot-9 Groenenboom has always been a high -flyer as in her rookie year 2014-2015, she smacked down 200 kills while in 2015-2016 the number was 165.

It was also in 2014-2015 that the Wolves won an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference silver medal, falling to Red Deer College Queens while last year they captured bronze status defeating SAIT Trojans.

With the second placement in 2014-2015, the Wolves were given Wild Card status to qualify them for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association women's volleyball championships held in Quebec City and hosted by Cégep Édouard Montpetit.

They would finish fifth in the tournament with the Queens claiming gold for the ACAC by beating Cégep Garneau.

Of her time to date at Grande Prairie, Groenenboom said: "It has been awesome. The sense of community in the school and athletic department is amazing. It has been nothing but positive since I have been here.

"We also get great support as the gym here is pretty full on Friday nights. When you are playing in the bigger cities the gym is never full. Here everyone comes to a game and everyone knows you in the hallway."

Groenenboom, who was part of a championship squad with the NAVC Pandas in 2013,  said her goal is to become a teacher.

"I'd also like to get into coaching," said Groenenboom, who volunteered this year as an assistant coach for high school women's volleyball in Grande Prairie. "I like to be someone the girls can look up to. Not being a head coach this year I could be there for the girls in a different way."

Groenenboom gives credit where credit is due, saying that Wolves coach Sam Tu'ivai has helped her improve her overall game.

"He has helped with the mental side of the game and the physical side of the game. He has showed us things that we have never seen before and it has improved our game overall."

Of her own style of play Groenenboom concluded: "I guess I take a pretty aggressive approach to the game and I am a pretty good attacker. Just keeping a positive attitude on the court is important and that is how I keep myself in check."