Acadia's Director of Athletics Kevin Dickie is welcoming of a new direction to be set by Wood at the helm of Acadia's volleyball program. "Our Athletic Department is extremely excited that Michelle Wood will be joining the Acadia family", said Dickie. "We started the process with thirty-six applications that eventually narrowed down to a group of strong candidates. At the end of the process, Michelle was clearly a perfect fit for Acadia University and the coach we wanted leading our Axewomen Volleyball Team into the future."

Wood brings a wealth of experience as a player, mentor, educator and coach that she has gained in a very short time. With the Ontario Volleyball Association provincial developmental program, Wood was a member of the Gold Medal winning Team Ontario at the 2005 Canada Games and was recently named the Ontario Canada Games volleyball team head coach for the 2013 Canada Games.

With the University of Toronto Varsity Blues Volleyball Team from 2005 to 2010, Wood excelled as a two-time top libero in the Ontario University Athletics conference (OUA). She was named an OUA All-Star in 2010 and honoured as the CIS Terese Quigley Award nominee. In addition to being a CIS Academic All-Canadian, Wood co-captained the 2010 OUA championship Varsity Blues, was nominated for the 2010 CIS Libero of the Year and received an OUA Award of Merit.

Starting her coaching career shortly after graduation, Wood began with the Ontario women’s Under-17 and Under-18 provincial teams during the summer of 2010.  With the OVA programs, she captured an Under-18 Provincial team gold in 2010 and a silver medal in 2011. Wood joined the University of Toronto volleyball team in 2011 as an assistant coach under well-respected and long-time head coach Kristine Drakich and helped bring home an OUA bronze medal this past season.

Beyond her coaching duties, Wood gained experience with the administrative aspects of sport by coordinating the largest youth camps in the GTA at the University of Toronto from 2008 to 2011 and has been working in the University's Advancement and Alumni Office assisting in fundraising initiatives and campaigns.  Wood is currently working on her NCCP Level 3 Competition Development Modules.

As a player and coach, Michelle has developed mentorship programs for coaches, youth and athletes of all ages and has focused on the long term development of volleyball players in Ontario.

Wood is currently working on her NCCP Level 3 Competition Development Modules is eager to begin her career path as a head coach at one of Canada's top undergraduate universities.

"I'm excited for the opportunity to work with such a talented, well rounded group of student-athletes, and for taking the next steps as a program toward becoming competitive within the CIS. It's an honour to be a part of such a supportive institution that provides a personalized experience. I'm truly taking a deep breath to ensure I enjoy every minute of this process."

The Axewomen volleyball team recently announced the commitment of three top Nova Scotia volleyball players who will be joining newly appointed head coach Michelle Wood this fall.

Acadia University is recognized as one of Canada’s premier undergraduate institutions. Academic innovation and a technology-rich teaching and learning environment have helped Acadia redefine university education.  Our progressive workplace is located only one hour from Halifax in Nova Scotia's beautiful Annapolis Valley - a small-town setting offering an affordable lifestyle, outstanding recreational opportunities, internationally acclaimed theatres and restaurants, a healthy economy, and the best weather in the Atlantic Provinces. At Acadia, our people are our most valuable resource.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Acadia seeks a Women’s Head Volleyball Coach in the Department of Athletics to lead and develop an exciting and competitive Volleyball program.  The Head Coach will:

• develop, implement and monitor recruitment strategies to attract the best student athletes

• coach, administer, manage and promote the Acadia Volleyball program

• apply current AUS/CIS rules and eligibility policies

• organize and conduct practices and prepare the team for competition

• schedule exhibition games

• create an atmosphere that is conducive to a positive student athlete experience (includes monitoring of academic performance)

• plan and execute revenue-generating programs to support and advance athletics

• coach, in addition to in-season program, effective pre- and post-season development and training programs

• oversee the youth volleyball camps and similar initiatives sponsored by the Dept. of Athletics

• develop positive communication relationships with the media, alumni, and volleyball communities

• manage the team budget

• other complementary duties, as assigned

This is a renewable term position.

THE CANDIDATE

We are seeking a candidate who has significant experience working with high performance athletes and who possesses the applicable coaching certification.  A University Degree in a related discipline, along with administrative and teaching skills, is preferred.

Exceptional organizational, management and communication skills are required, as is knowledge of AUS and CIS regulations.

THE REWARDS

Acadia offers a comprehensive salary and benefit package.

To see more information on why Acadia is an employer of choice, please visit our website at: http://www.acadiau.ca/human

To apply, forward a completed Employment Application form, quoting competition #12-02-AA in the subject line, and forward with your resume via any of the following:

E-mail:                  Employment@acadiau.ca

Fax:                    902-585-1075

Post:                   Human Resources Department

                          Acadia University

                          Wolfville NS  B4P 2R6

Consideration of applications will begin on 13 March 2012.

For further information, please contact Marian Reid at 902-585-1117 or marian.reid@acadiau.ca

Acadia University is committed to employment equity and values a diverse and inclusive workplace.  We make every effort to hire exceptional individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.  We thank all applicants in advance, and advise that only those invited for an interview will be contacted.  The University reserves the right not to fill this position.  A six-month eligibility list may be established from this competition to fill future vacancies for identical positions.

Rector completed the season fifth overall in AUS in hitting percentage 0.284 in 17 games and eighth in blocks making 52 in total - 21 solo and 31 assisted. Rector was named as an All-Rookie in her first season.

“Joffre is an outstanding person who has made a significant contribution to not just our women’s volleyball program but to our athletics program as a whole,” said Kevin Dickie, Acadia’s Director of Athletics. “Joffre will be missed by our student-athletes as well as his coaching and staff colleagues with whom he has worked at Acadia. On their behalf, I want to thank him and wish him every success in his future pursuits.”

The StFX win improves the X-Women to 8-9 and sits fourth overall in the AUS standings with only one game remaining in the season which has Moncton scheduled against Memorial in Newfoundland tomorrow afternoon.

Through the first set, neither team took more than a two point lead until a kill by Acadia's Alyssa Berry pushed the Axewomen out to a 18-15 lead that was stretched to four by a StFX attack error. Acadia would take the first set 25-21 off of Berry's fifth kill of the first game.

The pendulum swung to the X-Women in the second of five sets with StFX taking the lead from start to finish, pulling off a 25-17 second game win with fourth year outside hitter Katherine Ryan posting six second set kills.

StFX would take a 2-1 lead on a 25-20 third set victory. After pulling out to a 14-7 StFX advantage, Acadia would fight back to bring the game to 19-18 but StFX, led by Ryan, would prevail.

The Axewomen grabbed the fourth set 25-19 after taking over the lead at five. Pushing the score to 19-12, Acadia would hold onto the cushion in the closing of the fourth to send the match into a fifth and final game.

Taking an early 4-0 lead, Acadia would be passed following a tie at six. Acadia's five attack errors and two service errors in the closing of the final set game handed StFX the 15-12 win and 3-2 match win.

StFX's Katherin Ryan was named the Subway Player of the game with 17 kills, while teammate Catherine Thorton posted a game high 19 kills and an outstanding 0.327 hitting percentage.

Three Axewomen posted double digit kills including Alyssa Berry, Nicole Davidson and Meg Rector with 15, 13 and 13 respectively.

The Axewomen graduate six players this season including Pam Giordani, Nicole Davidson, Alyssa Berry, Alana Murphy, Sarah Naugler and Deanna Schaper-Kotter. Best wishes to our graduates who have bled red and blue for four seasons.

An aggressive start to the first set positioned the Axewomen to take a commanding 20-6 lead in the closing minute, grabbing a 25-10 first set victory. Hitters Alana Murphy, Alyssa Berry and Kristin Bolduc each posted 2 kills each in the opening game.

A tighter second set followed with the Varsity Reds grabbing their first lead of the match on a Vanja Mitrovic kill that setup a 8-7 lead. UNB lost their lead at 13-12 when a kill by Nicole Davidson pushed the Axewomen into a lead that would not be matched by the V-Reds until a 22-22 tie created by an Alana Murphy attack error. Murphy would make up for the error with Acadia points off of a Murphy kill. A Nicole Davidson service ace and a block by Meg Rector solidified the 25-22 second game win.

With the third and eventual final set tied at 20, UNB edged forward, setting up a 24-23 match point, but an important kill by Meg Rector pushed the game beyond 25. A back and forth battle, highlighted by kills on both sides, resulted in a service ace by Alana Murphy; kills by Kristin Bolduc and Nicole Davidson and a V-Red attack error, handed Acadia a 31-29 third set victory. Vanja Mitrovic led UNB with a game high 13 kills.

Acadia's Meg Rector led the Axewomen with an impressive 0.500 hitting percentage that included 7 kills while senior outside hitter Alana Murphy led Acadia with 10 kills. Nicole Davidson added 8 kills.

Head Coach Joffre Ribout was pleased with team effort. “The team had a great start in the first set and remained focused in a tighter second game. Falling behind in the final set, we were able to regain our focus and eventually closing down the UNB Lead. We stayed together in sets two and three and we hope this rubs off for our remaining games this season. We know we will need to fight through these situations the rest of the year".

The Axewomen will head to Halifax this Wednesday night as they take on the Dalhousie Tigers, making up for a postponed game this past Friday night due to inclement weather. Acadia will host Memorial next weekend for two games beginning on Saturday night at 7pm.

The second set saw a close see-saw battle between the Axewomen and the Aigles Blues with the score in a constant deadlock until a 21-21 tie was broken by an Acadia attack error followed by an service ace by Moncton's Genevieve LeMay and a kill by Player of the Game Stephanie Lagace. The second set ended with a Moncton block by Lagace.

Behind 18-12 in the third set, Acadia made a strong effort to claw back from a six point deficit that saw them tying the game at 19. Despsite the Axewomen’s effort, Moncton would pull out a 25-21 win that started with a Lagace kill at 20-19.

The fourth and final set played out much like the second set, with a close see-saw battle being played out between the Axewomen and the Aigles Bleus. Unfortunately, the fourth set would indeed play out like the previous second set with Moncton taking the final frame 25-20.

The Axewomen out-hit Moncton 147 to 138 with a kill advantage of 51-43, but fell short on the score board giving up 25 attack errors along with nine service errors. Axewoman Kristen Bolduc had a hitting percentage of 0.421, while teammate and Acadia's Subway Player of the Game, senior outside hitter Alana Murphy had a game high 15 kills.

The Axewomen will take the weekend off as they prepare for a road game next Friday against the CIS #9 Dalhousie Tigers who will seek revenge for a 3-0 loss against Acadia before the Christmas Holidays. The Tigers' loss to Acadia on November 25, bumped Dalhousie off of the CIS Top Ten, but they resurfaced after the break . Dalhousie currently has a record of 7-2 and are second in the AUS standings.

Moncton returns home tonight to host the CIS #3 Saint Mary's Huskies who hold onto first place in the AUS standings with a 9-0 record.

A see-saw battle in the first set was cut short on a kill by Huskie Tessa Felix gave Saint Mary's a 17-16 lead that was extended to a 20-16 margin and the eventual 25-21 win.

The Huskies pushed out to commanding 19-11 in the second game, but the Axewomen worked back to a 21-19 deficit on the back third year outside hitter Alyssa Berry who contributed three kills in the Acadia comeback. The Huskies rallied to a 25-21 win following a kill by Kerri Smit and two in a row Acadia attack errors.

Saint Mary's manouvered into a commanding 10-3 third set lead that blossomed into a 20-10 advantage and a final 25-13 set win for the 3-0 match victory.

Head Coach Joffre Ribout expressed disappointment in the loss but was positive on the Axewomen's performance overall this past weekend. "We played a pretty good game and they showed why they deserve the #3 CIS ranking. They stepped it up in the third set when they had us down and grabbed the third set".

The Axewomen find themselves in fifth place overall in the AUS standings with a 3-6 record heading into the Christmas break while the Huskies head to Moncton next Friday to complete their first half of the season. The Axewomen return to action on Friday January 13 as they host the 2-6 Moncton Aigles Bleus.

Tied at 10 in the first set, Axewomen Nicole Davidson landed two kills along with teammate Meg Rector's kill to advance Acadia to a 13-11 lead over Dalhousie. Acadia stretched the lead to 20-16 on a Dalhousie bad set and held onto the four point lead into the closing kill by Alana Murphy to grab the first game victory.

Dalhousie tied the second match at 10 after an early Axewomen lead, as the Tigers pushed into a 19-14 advantage - the largest lead of the evening, but Acadia would battle back and take advantage of a Tiger attack error and a Nicole Davidson kill to grab back the lead at 22-21 and the eventual 25-22 win.

An Alyssa Berry kill, at 12-12, gave Acadia their second lead of the third and final set as the Axewomen never looked back holding on to the margin and a 25-18 victory.

Fans were treated to an outstanding game that showcased long rallies and fierce competition between both teams. Head Coach Joffre Ribout was pleased with the win. "I am very happy with the effort out team exhibited today. We maintained an extremely high level of focus and intensity throughout the match. The key point of the match was the middle of the second set, when we were down five points and we continued to maintain our focus".

Meg Rector and Nicole Davidson posted eight kills each while Alyssa Berry added seven at a 25% hitting efficiency. Transfer Lauren Carter was named the Subway Player of the Game for her performance at the setter position, offering up 32 sets, two kills, six digs and one service ace. Alyssa Berry and Libero Pam Giordani had 13 and 17 digs respectively.

Tiger Kirstie Shepherd landed a team high seven kills and was named as Dalhousie's Subway Player of the Game.

Ribout concluded, "The girls deserve this game and it showed how well they can play. We hope, as a coaching staff, that today's game is a sign of what more is to come before the Christmas break".

The Axewomen will rest for over 36 hours and wait for the visiting CIS #3 ranked Saint Mary's Huskies on Sunday afternoon starting at 2pm. The Huskies take on Dalhousie on Saturday night in Halifax.