Layla Reichert, Volleyball

To begin the second half and the new year, there was a major upset in Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC) women’s volleyball. In week seven of the 2022-23 season, Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) Blazers defeated nationally ranked and leader in the MCAC standings Université de Saint-Boniface (USB) Les Rouges. First year left side Layla Reichert  was instrumental in the home victory for the week ending on Jan. 15, 2023. 

In one of the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Marquee Matchups, the Lac du Bonnet, MB native registered 11 kills, team-high 17 digs, three service aces and two solo blocks to assist second place CMU in knocking off the number 11 team in the CCAA ranking In a four set win.

“Every aspect of Layla’s game took our opponents to task this past week: her passing, digging, blocking, serving, and attacking. Layla’s athleticism and capacity are clear but this past week she brought a wisdom and intellect to her play that was exciting to see,” stated CMU’s head coach Jayme Menzies. “Layla helped us take down the number one seeded St. Boniface this weekend and also contributed to taking the nationally-ranked Durham College Lords to a tie-breaking set last weekend in their house.”

Reichert contributed serving runs to extend the lead after the Blazers rallied from one set down and also added 16 points. Despite sitting at tenth in the conference in sets played, the rookie is currently in second spot on the kills MCAC leaders list.

The Blazers and the General Studies e student-athlete next action will be a home-and-home series against Providence University College (PUC) Pilots on January 20-21.