Wildeboer impresses early into Bobcat career

The expectations of who Brynn Wildeboer can become on the volleyball court continue to rise.

A year ago, she was an undersized outside hitter who could thrive in high school, but likely not past that.

But she helped the Ste. Rose Celtics to a fourth-place finish at single-A provincials, earning a tournament all-star selection.

In the spring, she earned a starting spot on the Club West 18-and-under team, helping it to a provincial championship.

Wildeboer initially committed to the Assiniboine College Cougars but later changed her mind and signed with the Canadian Mennonite University Blazers.

Just before graduating, however, she accepted an offer to play for the Brandon University Bobcats.

She projected as a defensive specialist at five-foot-six, but through 11 pre-season matches, she has shown she might play more.

“She’s absolutely exceeded my expectations by far,” said Bobcats head coach Kailan Robinson. “She’s been one of our strongest passers, other than (libero) Brooklyn (Pratt), and she’s hitting very efficiently.

“We thought maybe she’d just be (stronger) in the back row, but she’s proving herself to be strong in the front row, too.”

Today, Wildeboer and the Bobcats head to Assiniboine to face the Briercrest College Clippers, following the Cougars and Clippers match starting at 6 p.m.

One month in, the Ste. Rose product feels she has settled in nicely.

“I think just making sure I’m good mentally going into every practice,” Wildeboer said. “Having set goals for myself going into the week has helped a lot with that.

“Looking at the other left sides and looking at Pratt, I look up to them a lot, especially being so much younger. So just looking at them and seeing what I can do a little bit better every practice has helped a lot.”

Wildeboer cedes five or six inches to the average outside hitter in Canada West, but she’s used to such “mismatches.” She makes up for it with extra time in the weight room.

While the Bobcats have set workouts, she focuses on plyometrics on off days to improve her vertical.

She said her spike touch has hit nine-foot-nine in testing, though she still knows she has to hit smart, not just hard.

“I have a good cut (from position) four to four, I have a good deep line over hands (shot), and I think it has helped a lot because I think some of the bigger players are just trying to swing as hard as they can just straight down,” Wildeboer said.

Interestingly, Wildeboer doesn’t have a ton of competition for a starting job, with third-year Georgia Johnson and second-year Steph Miller in the mix. Miller returned at a good time after originally joining the Bobcats in 2018, as starters Avery Burgar and Kallie Ball both left following the 2024-25 season.

The two outside hitter spots have been the most attainable ones for newcomers this year, so Wildeboer’s in a terrific spot.

Robinson describes her game as “smart and calm.” She said Wildeboer doesn’t appear to put pressure on herself and consistently makes the smart shot.

It’s safe to say the heavy load of exhibition matches has helped with that, and it’s not over yet.

The Bobcats and Clippers will play again on Saturday afternoon at the Healthy Living Centre.

From there, BU heads to Ottawa and Montreal for one final tune-up weekend before the regular season begins on Oct. 17 at UBC.

An undersized, unproven rookie from small-town Manitoba might find herself face-to-face with some of the country’s biggest stars.

Wildeboer is making sure she’s ready for the moment.

“Knowing how big they are, I’ve been focusing a lot on my passing because that’s what I’ve been really, really good at these last few weeks,” Wildeboer said. “Making sure I can go in to serve or pass for anyone on the court, I think, is my responsibility right now.

“I’m open to playing wherever Kailan needs me. I’m not expecting to start, I’m not expecting to play every game, but I think I have the ability to play every game and play whoever we’re playing.”

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