Veteran Thiem bringing valuable NJCAA experience to Griffins after returning to Canada
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – You just can't teach the experience that a college transfer brings as they've already figured out how to navigate the jump from high school to post-secondary.
Among the three transfers the Griffins women's volleyball team is bringing into the fold in 2025-26 is Okotoks, Alta. native Becky Thiem, who is returning to Canada after playing the past two seasons in the NJCAA for Palatka, Fla.-based St. Johns River State College.
Thiem previously graduated from Holy Trinity Academy in 2023.
"She's a little bit of a unicorn," said Griffins head coach Chris Wandler of her unique situation. "She's originally from Calgary and had to transfer back to Canada. Down south, she played a little bit of middle blocker, a little bit of outside. That's going to be useful for us because we're looking for that opposite player."
Over two seasons with St. Johns River State, Thiem produced 402 kills in 225 sets and was among the team's top attackers. She served as co-captain for the Vikings in 2024.
"She's someone who has some college experience," said Wandler. "I'm not sure what the level of play was like down there, but I think just having been on the court for two years is going to give her a big jump coming here.
"I think she'll learn the (Canada West) game is a little bit faster, a little bit more physical, but as far as a little bit of the swagger coming in, she'll have that."
Which is going to be the case for all three transfers – Thiem, Anna von Krosigk and Alana Murr.
"I think just not being in Grade 12 and coming to a new school, but knowing the rigours already of going to class every day, I think there's some comfortability in this with these transfers," said Wandler. "There will just be some at ease-ness for them coming in."
