Former Eastern Washington volleyball player excited to be part of the squad

Brittney Page, a volleyball player at Eastern Washington University from 2003-06, has been named to the Canadian national team, Volleyball Canada announced on Friday (May 22).

Page had played with the Eagles from 2003-06 and had an especially impressive senior season, earning first team All-Big Sky Conference accolades before being named to the All-Big Sky Championship team.

She and the rest of the 30 players named will play in an exhibition series versus Peru in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from June 9-12. Page will also train with the team in preparation for the NORCECA (North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation) Championship, to be contested from Sept. 20-28 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Between those two events, there will be three tournaments Canada will participate in, of which Page will play in at least one. These include the Pan American Cup in Miami, Fla. (June 24-July 5), the Summer Universiade (World University Games) in Belgrade, Serbia (July 1-12), and the World Championship qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico (July 8-10).

"I'm excited and happy," Page said. "It was pretty intimidating coming in with all the other girls having been a part of the program for so many years (Page last played for the junior national team when she was 18). I didn't know anyone and had no reputation, which put a little more pressure on me, and I had to really fight for my spot."

Page was named to the squad following the Senior Women's Selection Camp in Winnipeg that ran from Monday-Thursday (May 18-21). Forty-five athletes competed for those 30 spots. Arnd Ludwig is the new head coach of the Canadian national team, being appointed to the post on Jan. 5.

Prior to the camp, Page had spent the last several years playing professional volleyball in Europe. Following her time at Eastern, she joined Cajasur de Cordoba, a Spanish team, before playing for an Austrian team, SG Trofaiach/Eisenerz, since October. Playing for those international teams has helped Page mature as a volleyball player.

"Playing over there, you have to be well rounded, as you are not being subbed in and out all the time," Page said. "You adopt skills and become crafty."

Additionally, Page to this day takes a lot from her experiences at Eastern.

"I like the system and the work ethic at American universities," Page said. "It was very intense at EWU and really gave you a great workout ethic and you really push yourself. It was great competition, as women on U.S. teams are phenomenal. Nearly all the girls (who were named today) have played in the U.S.

"(Current head coach) Miles (Kydd) has really helped me and has been very encouraging. I definitely owe him a lot. And the girls are very supportive; I keep in touch with my Eastern girls a lot and am proud of them and how they are doing. I miss them."