The Cougar volleyball teams jump into action this Friday, October 6 and Saturday, October 7 with the women’s team hosting the Dakota College at Bottineau Ladyjacks, while the men’s team is off to Winnipeg to play in the Red River College Rebels tournament.

The women’s team will continue their pre-season action Saturday, October 14, and Sunday, October 15 when they head down to Devil’s Lake, ND where they will play in the Sportscenter-Sleep Inn Slamfest tournament. The following week they play in the Providence University College tournament on Saturday, October 21, and Sunday, October 22 in Otterburne, MB.

Jeff Maxwell is in his first season as head coach for the women’s volleyball team and has Barb Birch as his assistant coach. They have eleven women on their roster and have been training regularly since mid-August. “Maxwell is really taking us to the next level this year, pushing us hard in practice and ensuring that we keep focused academically,” says returning player and team captain, Erica Scott. “Our top goal this year is to bring home the winning banner at final four.”

Joel Small has returned for his fourth season with the Cougar’s men’s volleyball team and this year has Lindsay McLaughlin and Sam Isfeld on his coaching staff. McLaughlin previously helped coach the women’s team as their assistant coach for the past two season, while Isfeld is an alumni player turned coach, having played on the men’s team for the past two seasons.

Jordan Todd is returning to the court after serving last season as assistant coach with the Cougars and gaining his work hours to return to another apprenticeship level of construction electrician. He has a positive outlook for the season. “The expectation is for the team to bring an MCAC championship to ACC, but we have to take it one step at a time,” says Todd. “With only two returning players we are still looking to find an on court connection, but it should only get easier the more we play and practice together.”

The Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference season opens up for both Cougar Volleyball teams Friday, November 10 with games in Winnipeg taking on the Canadian Mennonite University Blazers. Home opener action takes place Friday, November 17 against the Red River College Rebels, with the women playing at 6 p.m. followed by the men at 7:30 p.m. in the Assiniboine Community College gymnasium.

The Cougars will take on the Rebels again the next day, Saturday, November 18, with the women’s game at noon and the men’s at 1:30 p.m. Cougars Volleyball Schedule

October 6: Dakota College @ Assiniboine Community College 6 p.m. (w)

Red River College Tournament (m)

October 7: Dakota College @ Assiniboine Community College 11 a.m. (w)

Red River College Tournament (m)

October 14: Lake Region Tournament (w)

October 15: Lake Region Tournament (w)

October 21: Providence University College Tournament (w)

October 22: Providence University College Tournament (w)

November 10: Assiniboine Community College @ Canadian Mennonite University 6 p.m. (w) 7:30 p.m. (m)

November 11: Assiniboine Community College @ Canadian Mennonite University 2 p.m. (w) 3:30 p.m. (m)

November 17: Red River College @ Assiniboine Community College 6 p.m. (w) 7:30 p.m. (m)

November 18: Red River College @ Assiniboine Community College 12 p.m. (w) 1:30 p.m. (m)

November 24: Assiniboine Community College @ Providence University College 6 p.m. (w) 7:30 p.m. (m)

November 25: Assiniboine Community College @ Providence University College 12 p.m. (w) 1:30 p.m. (m)

December 1: University of Saint-Boniface @ Assiniboine Community College 6 p.m. (w) 7:30 p.m. (m)

December 2: University of Saint-Boniface @ Assiniboine Community College 12 p.m. (w) 1:30 p.m. (m)

December 29: Assiniboine Community College @ University of Alberta Augustana Campus Tournament

December 30: Assiniboine Community College @ University of Alberta Augustana Campus Tournament

January 19: Providence University College Boniface @ Assiniboine Community College 6 p.m. (m) 7:30 p.m. (w)

January 20: Providence University College Boniface @ Assiniboine Community College 12 p.m. (m) 1:30 p.m. (w)

January 26: Canadian Mennonite University @ Assiniboine Community College 6 p.m. (m) 7:30 p.m. (w)

January 27: Canadian Mennonite University @ Assiniboine Community College 12 p.m. (m) 1:30 p.m. (w)

February 2: Assiniboine Community College @ University of Saint-Boniface 6 p.m. (m) 7:30 p.m. (w)

February 3: Assiniboine Community College @ University of Saint-Boniface 12 p.m. (m) 1:30 p.m. (w)

February 16: Assiniboine Community College @ Red River College 6 p.m. (m) 7:30 p.m. (w)

February 17: Assiniboine Community College @ Red River College 12 p.m. (m) 1:30 p.m. (w)

February 24: Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference Championships @ Red River College

February 25: Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference Championships @ Red River College

Full schedules with tournament times can be found at Assiniboine.net/athletics