Lasuik makes leap to Winnipeg
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Tyra Lasuik faced a tough reality a few years ago. Her dream of playing U Sports volleyball wasn’t meant to be.
It turns out “no” was just “no, for now.”
The former Neelin Spartan is transferring from Assiniboine College to the University of Winnipeg — her top choice when she finished high school — for the 2026-27 Canada West season.
Assiniboine College Cougars setter Tyra Lasuik is transferring to the University of Winnipeg for the 2026-27 Canada West women’s volleyball season. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)
“I’m really excited. I’m a little scared to move away from home and all the friends I’ve made in Brandon, but I’m excited for this next part of my life,” Lasuik said.
The five-foot-seven setter led the Spartans to a AAA provincial title in 2023, being named tournament MVP after defeating Westgate in the semifinals and Linden Christian in the final. Westgate setter Julia Martens went on to become the Canada West rookie of the year this season with the Manitoba Bisons.
Lasuik talked to Winnipeg head coach Phil Hudson during high school, but the Wesmen had a healthy stash of setters already. She said she was also talking to the Brandon University staff during her senior year, but it didn’t pan out there, either.
Lasuik admits it wasn’t easy to settle for Plan C at AC, but looking back now, her perspective has completely changed.
“I wouldn’t change my two years at AC for anything; they were amazing,” Lasuik said.
“If I didn’t play at AC, I wouldn’t be the person or the player I am now, and I don’t think I would succeed at the university level. It was definitely a big stepping stone for me and helped me grow in every aspect of my life.”
Lasuik was a two-year starter for the Cougars, helping them push the Canadian Mennonite University Blazers in a hard-fought semifinal in 2025, then leading them to their first-ever Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference championship last season.
Tyra Lasuik of the Assiniboine College Cougars leaps for a ball. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)
Lasuik was named the MCAC player of the year and a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association all-Canadian.
In the meantime, Hudson watched her play and immediately noticed her growth compared to high school.
“We put her on the afterburner and said we’d talk after she got the chance to develop over her college career,” Hudson said. “She had such a great year this year. I went to watch her play one day at Providence … and she was one of the best players in the whole league.
“She’s a good leader, she works super hard, she’s super athletic. She probably could have played volleyball and basketball in college or university … She tries hard, has a great attitude and we’re looking forward to bringing her in.”
Lasuik and Hudson’s connection actually dates back long before she first picked up a volleyball.
Growing up close to the longtime coach in Winnipeg — and a friend of Lasuik’s father, Carey — Hudson babysat for the family occasionally.
Coincidentally, Wesmen assistant coach and former Bobcat Mary Thomson did so when the Lasuiks moved to Brandon.
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Tyra Lasuik #11 of the Neelin Spartans dives for the ball during match two of the varsity girls city championship against the Vincent Massey Vikings at VMHS on Thursday evening. The Vikings won the first match of the series prior to Thursday’s match. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Lasuik attended Hudson’s summer setting camps during her high school days, and can see the path to becoming an even greater player over the next three years.
For her, the toughest part of the move is leaving the friends she made over the past few seasons, though the bulk of the Cougars’ roster is also moving on and encouraging her to chase her dream.
Assiniboine star and fellow all-Canadian Kylee Peake gave her the push she needed after a match this year.
“I went to her crying because I didn’t know what to do,” Lasuik said. “She told me straight up, ‘You’d be dumb if you didn’t take it.’”
What makes it easier is knowing the environment she’s walking into this fall. Brandon products Ella Werbiski and Tiana Low, as well as Russell’s Emily Lavallee, all made the move to the Manitoba capital, while Lasuik also has a few former Team Manitoba teammates to lean on.
“I made a lot of connections already, and the girls I didn’t know were also so welcoming, so it felt right,” she said.
Lasuik studied early childhood education at AC, and will take education in the early-years stream at U of W.
Tyra Lasuik started for Assiniboine College as a rookie in 2024-25. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)
While it took longer than expected to reach the destination, Lasuik will always be grateful for her journey.
“AC was definitely the biggest part and the biggest milestone in my career,” Lasuik said. “Without (coach) Kevin (Neufeld) and the girls there, I wouldn’t be able and mentally prepared to play there, and don’t think I’d be physically ready.
“AC has definitely gotten me where I need to be.”
» tfriesen@brandonsun.com