For the Women’s Volleyball Mounties, this season was about redemption. After falling short in last year’s ACAA Championship game to King’s — and with eight seniors on the roster — the time to win a championship was now.

“We had a lot of senior leadership and we’d been working towards this for years together,” says senior left-side hitter Julia Henry from Toronto, ON. “We knew this year we really wanted to take our program up a step and worked hard in and out of the gym to get there.”

Key to their success? Accountability, depth, and an unshakable team bond.

“Everyone held themselves accountable in practice and in the weight room,” says Women’s Volleyball Head Coach Robbie Crouse. “With such a motivated group of seniors, they really led the team.”

Six of the senior players lived together off campus for three years — including Henry, Monica Gollaher, Logan Tait, Erica Astephen, Sarah McInnis, and Marie Fogarty. So, as fourth-year libero Gollaher says, “the conversations about how to improve and support the team didn’t end at the gym.”

For first-year left-side hitter Sarah Mason from Fredericton, NB, the senior leadership was invaluable.

“I learned a lot from playing with teammates who are four years older — their experience and insight were incredible,” says Mason. “I think that was really special. We also had a lot of depth and that really helped us become ACAA Champions.”

Crouse explains that 75 per cent of the season was spent rotating lineups to test out different combinations and to give players rest to stay competitive through the entire season.

That plan paid off and saw the team achieve a 14-game winning streak, along with two first-team ACAA All-Star nods for Tait and Astephen, second-team All-Star for Fogarty, and overall league Rookie of the Year honours for Ana McCain.

“Everyone brought something unique, and we truly wanted to win for each other,” says Gollaher from Charlottetown, PE. “It was a full team effort. Every person showed up, took it seriously, and did their part.”

Henry says it was rewarding to see the hard work pay off alongside her best friends.

“We preach family, so to win together was just the best feeling ever.”

After six seasons with the Mounties and a third appearance in the ACAA finals, Crouse says finally winning a championship was awesome.

"I’ll be chasing that feeling forever,” he says. "I don’t think I’ve had more proud tears in a season.”

The team earned a berth at the CCAA Championships at Durham College in Oshawa, ON from March 5-8, 2025.

For Gollaher, the Nationals proved that they belonged at that level.

“Even though we didn’t win a game, we played hard and showed we could compete with top programs. It gave both the seniors and younger players confidence that we’re a strong, high-level team.”

So, what does Mountie Pride mean to this team? A close connection with each other and the entire Mounties athletic community. 

“Family is what we see it as and that’s exactly how it feels,” says Mason.