Second-year Volleyball Mountie Erin Green, from Harmony, NS, really wanted to attend a small university. After going on a campus tour and watching a few volleyball games, Mount Allison seemed like the right fit.

“Volleyball played a big part in my decision, but my parents made sure it wasn’t the biggest part of my decision,” she says.

Green began playing volleyball in Grade 6, while also playing soccer and basketball. In high school at West Kings, she chose volleyball as her main sport. During this time, she travelled more than an hour, three times a week to play with the Bedford Blizzard club team. She says this was a defining moment in her volleyball career.

“I don’t think I would be playing where I am now if I hadn’t gone that extra mile then,” she says. “I had a really good experience and it gave me the opportunity to grow as an athlete.”

Green says what she enjoys most about the sport is the team aspect.

“I have tried some individual sports, but I wasn’t a fan of it just being me all the time,” she says. “In volleyball it’s nice because you are cheering on your teammates and it’s just a close, team atmosphere.”

In November 2018, Green suffered a major setback after experiencing pain in her leg. An MRI revealed she needed back surgery, which left no guarantee of returning to the court this season. She began to practice in November and is now back with the team full time.

“I am very lucky,” she says.

Green was recently named Athlete of the Week at Mount Allison for strong performances vs. both Crandall and Université Sainte Anne. A starter in the Crandall match, Green scored seven points, including five kills.

“It’s just nice to have recognition for me and for the volleyball team as a whole,” she says. “It’s recognition we are doing something right.”

Green says being a student-athlete at Mount Allison means a lot to her and her teammates.

“There is a lot of pride that goes with wearing the Mounties logo,” she says.

A psychology student, Green is interested in pursuing a career in this area, possibly in academia.