Bobcats sign Jr. Dinos libero Dooks

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/11/2023 (719 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An unusual divider runs along the property line between Eva Dooks’ house and her neighbours.

Instead of a fence, a volleyball net stands with plenty of grass on either side so the Airdrie, Alta., native can practise. Her dad and neighbour, who happens to be her grandpa, saw the joy volleyball brought her and invested their time and energy to build the net and help her grow her game.

Dooks put it to good use and developed into a quality libero who has committed to the Brandon University Bobcats for the 2024-25 Canada West season.

“We’re super pumped to get a good libero out of Alberta because I know she was sought after by some other big schools around the conference,” said interim head coach Kailan Robinson. “For us to be able to snag her and have her on our team will be huge, especially with Bri (Brianne Stott) leaving next year. There’s space for her to compete on our team.

“Watching her play, for someone so young she can read really well. She’s good at defence, she’s quick on her feet, she can react really well and you need that in a libero.”

For the most part, the Bobcats have found plenty of liberos at home, adding the best defender in the Wheat City and focusing on attackers from elsewhere.

But it’s worked reasonably well when they chased top talents in the past. That is if a multi-time U Sports libero of the year, German import Donata Huebert, or youth national development team libero Caitlin Le are considered good. (They are.)

Dooks is certainly grateful for the chance to be next.

“It means a lot and I’m ready to come compete and show them why I definitely deserve the spot,” Dooks said.

She played every sport she could growing up and “instantly fell in love” with volleyball in Grade 6. She got into the club system with Canuck Stuff Volleyball Club her first year and has played for the Jr. Dinos every season afterwards.

Dooks also played beach volleyball, winning a provincial championship in 13U and cracking Team Alberta rosters both indoors and on the beach.

The five-foot-six libero has spent time as an outside hitter but knows her time in the front row is quickly ending when she joins Canada West. She’s more than happy with that and feels her strengths in the back row can make an immediate impact.

“Learning as a libero, I’m able to see the court in a different way than some people. I can’t out-jump people or out-hit them, I can outsmart them,” Dooks said.

“I am a really big hype person. I’m always cheering, always involved and I bring a lot of talk on the court. I call where to hit, I see the court well from beach.”

Dooks found out about BU through 16-and-under Jr. Dinos coach Tori Dakin, who finished her Bobcat career in 2015 before playing professionally overseas.

Dooks was interested and had a Zoom call with the Bobcat coaching staff last year, then visited the campus during the 2022-23 season.

“Touring around, I loved how it was so small and not as intimidating as other cities. The girls were so amazing, they made me feel so welcome,” Dooks said.

“I love their intensity when they practise and they let me fit right in.”

She said she’s been accepted into BU’s biology program and plans to become a physiotherapist.

Dooks is aware that BU won’t officially name her first U Sports head coach until after this season while Lee Carter remains on leave but it didn’t deter her from signing almost a year out.

“At first, I was unsure but I’m confident in my decision no matter what,” Dooks said. “No matter who the coach is, I love the girls, love the city and I know whoever the coach is, is going to do what’s best for the team.

“I love Kailan right now so I hope it’s still her but regardless, I think it will be awesome.”

QUICK HITS: The Bobcats (0-8) are off to downtown Winnipeg on Friday morning to visit the Wesmen. They return home to play the Fraser Valley Cascades the following weekend.

» tfriesen@brandonsun.com

» X: @thomasmfriesen