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Heat rookie improved from practice and watching teammates

Sydney McKinlay has grown and became better with the UBC-O Heat womens volleyball team.
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Sydney McKinlay, a graduate of the Maggie Mustangs volleyabll program, was a key to the success of the UBC-O Heat women’s volleyball team as a red-shirted player. UBC-O Heat Athletics

Sydney McKinlay has grown and became better with the UBC-O Heat womens volleyball team.

Recruited to a team ranked No. 7 in Canada, and loaded with outside hitters, McKinlay red-shirted her first year. Yet, to Heat coach Steve Manuel, the former Maggie Mustang still played a key part in the team’s success. Their season ended on March 11 after losing in three sets to the Trinity Western Spartans in the Canada West Final Four Bronze medal match in Edmonton.

“Players go at it everyday in practice,” said Manuel. “They are challenging each other. With her jump and attacking ability, it keeps the blockers and defenders honest in training. It takes everyone pulling in the same direction for us to continue to be as successful as we have been.”

McKinlay felt she helped push her teammates too.

“It’s all about team development, which is really good,” said McKinlay.

McKinlay, who was also part of the Junior Heat program, feels she has improved, especially with her intensity. She said going from club and high school volleyball to U Sports is a big move because it is more intense. She feels her development will have her ready to play next season.

McKinlay, who won a B.C. High School beach volleyball championship with Jordan Lilley last June, said it had been a good season, a busy one as she also improved her time management skills. Not playing allowed her to focus on school work as she didn’t travel with the team.

McKinlay also credited the veterans who were great with the rookies.

“They are all big leaders on the team. That helps a lot,” said McKinlay. “You can really tell how passionate they are about our team. That helps us get into it.”

With depth at the outside position, Manuel said it made sense to red shirt McKinlay. She had been on his radar and he sees big upside with her ability to jump and hit. The Heat coach said McKinlay handled this season quite well.

“It’s never easy. It’s a very common thing,” said Manuel. “Really coming out of high school, your first year is really difficult to crack that lineup.”

The Heat have been a top-10 program in Canada since 2014.

Manuel said it isn’t uncommon for a player to have to wait until their third year before making a big contribution. With McKinlay, he has seen improvement in every area and she made strides each week.

“Athletically there is none better on our team,” he said. “She is as good as anyone from a pure athleticism (standpoint).

“She’s a great addition to our program,” he continued. “Great athlete. Great teammate, hard worker. I think there are great things for Sydney in the future.”