Kinsella set to ride off into sunset as greatest MacEwan women's volleyball player ever
Jefferson Hagen / MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Though under-recruited, undersized and underrated, Cassidy Kinsella is about to put the finishing touches on a university women's volleyball career that defied her doubters, wowed even her greatest supporters and cemented her status as the greatest women's volleyball player in the history of the MacEwan Griffins program.
Six years ago, university recruiters weren't clamoring for the services of the 5-foot-9 outside hitter out of tiny Leduc 1A high school Christ the King.
And even after she joined the MacEwan Griffins and ascended into a starring role as a high-volume hitter, it took Canada West opponents two years to realize how good she really is – finally giving her an all-star nod at the end of last season.
When Kinsella hits her final kill this weekend vs. Winnipeg (Friday, 6 p.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m., David Atkinson Gym), she will head off into the sunset with every career record in MacEwan women's volleyball history except assists and a spot among the pantheon of the greatest players in Canada West history.
"It wouldn't have mattered if everyone in our history would have played for five years," said head coach Ken Briggs, who has been at the helm of the program for 16 seasons. "What she's accomplished in Canada West … I mean, it took two years for everyone else to figure out 'hey, this girl's really something.' Because of our team results, I think that's affected her notoriety, yet if I talk to any coach in the league when they prepare for us, that's the first person they're preparing for.
"There is not a question she's the best volleyball player to play for MacEwan University. The records aside, just the athleticism, etc. that she has and what she's done for this program (stand out)."
Despite spending the first season of her career in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference, Kinsella's four years of Canada West work has her second all-time in kills (1260), trailing only former Alberta Pandas standout Meg Casault (1321). She's also third in career points (1442.0), likely to pass second-place Sophie Carpentier (1472.5), formerly of Trinity Western, this weekend.
"It's an incredible feeling," she said. "It feels like a huge accomplishment to be able to see my name up with players I've looked up to in the past or who I've played against.
"To be right there with them, it's nice to know I had that ability, too, and that the work I put in over the last five years has paid off in some way."
As for school career records, Kinsella has broken all of them but assists – even aces and blocks – and has raised the bar for all future production by MacEwan Griffins women's volleyball players.
"That's huge. I never really followed the stats," she said when informed of the records. "Hearing that, I didn't know that, and it's such a shock to me, but I feel such pride. I know it's all because of this program and everyone around me and the support. It came from all of that and it's a product of my environment. It's amazing."
Cassidy Kinsella holds the MacEwan University women's volleyball career record in every category except assists (Chris Piggott photo).
It's quite possible she hasn't had similar accolades as other star players around the conference because of MacEwan's record. Despite Kinsella's best efforts, the Griffins have yet to make the playoffs since joining Canada West in 2014, posting a combined record of 28-66 in that time.
"She's highly underrated, I think, but that again is because our team (record)," said Briggs. "She's had to fight through that as we've developed the program and stayed the course."
Over that time, though, Kinsella has taken care of her fitness level, leading to almost unprecedented durability. She missed just one match in her entire career.
"You look at her career, but you look at her durability," noted Briggs. "She's missed one match in five years and that almost killed her. That was in her very first year of Canada West, she had to miss the last match because of a leg injury. It was just enough that she couldn't play. What she's done for herself – taking care of her body and working out, she's set the bar beyond anyone else."
Kinsella will be joined by fellow graduating seniors – Karly Edgar, Claire McLoughlin and Kate Rozendaal – as the Griffins celebrate their careers on Senior Night Saturday.
"I think it's just going to be really overwhelming, to be honest," said Kinsella, who will graduate MacEwan with a Bachelor of Science this spring with plans to continue her schooling and become a physiotherapist.
"I'm really just looking forward to the opportunity to play with my team one last time, enjoy the experience and soak it all in because I won't be able to do it again."
She will have the memories, though, and the records could stand for some time.
"Most important for me is just to know that my teammates thought I was a good teammate and that I supported them, led by example and was able to just foster some really amazing relationships and memories over the years because that's what matters the most when it's all over," she said.
Senior Night Celebrations
Edgar, as a libero, will leave the program second in career digs behind only Kinsella. The five-year Griffin also has a spot in the Canada West record book after her 35-dig game at Manitoba last November is tied for second-most in a match in conference history.
"Karly, to be second all-time in this program only to Cassidy – and she wasn't a libero in her first year – the fact that she tied a Canada West record (is great)," said Briggs. "Besides that, she's going to make the greatest elementary teacher in the world. That's what she's going to be.
"The last couple of years she's been very determined to take care of the little things. Every team needs someone like that and she's done that."
McLoughlin, who joined the Griffins as a transfer from Vancouver Island University in 2015, has grown immensely over her time here.
"Claire is probably one of the biggest success stories ever in this program," said Briggs. "We were desperate for a setter when Jess Brown went down with injury three years ago and she came on faith and prayer to come here. Circumstances meant she was basically thrown to the wolves. She had nobody else to work with because of the way things turned out.
"Watching her development for the full year, she's become better than anybody that knew her would have thought. I'm just so happy for her because she's happy with herself. You can see how relaxed she is. And she's learned how to set in this league."
Rozendaal also joined the Griffins in 2015 as a transfer out of King's University College to further her academics.
"Kate I've known since she played in the Big Kahuna (high school Showcase) and then she went to King's College," said Briggs of the outside hitter. "What she's done as an outside hitter and the chronic injuries that she's fought through, I'm so glad. You look at her last two weekends and she's played fabulously against really good competition. When she's healthy, she just adds a bit of maturity and a spark out there."
