Eighteen year old Unity Christian graduate Mariah Bruinsma is joining what is arguably the premier university women’s volleyball program in Canada as she heads to the University of British Columbia this September. The Thunderbirds are the two time defending CIS champions, and head coach Doug Reimer is pleased to have the Chilliwack native heading for Point Grey.

“Mariah fills a big need for us with the departure of two senior middles in Marisa Field and Natalie Eades,” Reimer said. “Mariah is unique, however, in that she has very good skills away from the net and I definitely see some flexibility in where she plays as she continues to develop and grow as a player.”

Bruinsma recently led the Oasis Volleyball Club to a second place finish at the U-18 provincials. She was one of four Oasis players to earn a spot on the tournament all-star team and her showing helped her earn a spot as an alternate on B.C.’s Canada Summer Games team, a squad that is led by five current T-Birds.

A tall girl at six-foot-one, Bruinsma was a key contributor to back-to-back provincial club championships in 2005 and 2006 with the High Altitude Volleyball Club. The 2006 squad earned a bronze medal at the Canadian championships.

“That year was a bit of a coming out party for Mariah,” said Duncan Harrison, who coached her for four years. “Mariah is also a fantastic basketball player, but that run at a national championship in 2006 really gave her the bug for volleyball. She has just worked harder and harder each season. On top of her obvious skill and ability, I think her great attitude, work ethic and solid leadership skills were really big factors in drawing the attention of the UBC coaches.”