Taryn Hannah (#9) in action for the NBCHS Vikings. (Submitted photo/Jayna Hannah)

By Martin Martinson

Post-Secondary Athletics

Battlefords local, Hannah commits to Brandon University

Nov 27, 2020 | 3:55 PM

For Battlefords local, Taryn Hannah, athletics have always played a key role in her life.

An avid softball player since she was young, Hannah also took part in competitive swimming, basketball, and badminton, in addition to whatever other sports were offered in school through her early years.

But it wasn’t until later, that she found her favourite athletic endeavour of them all, volleyball.

Hannah’s love for the game of volleyball began in Grade 6, when she first suited up for the local school and club teams in town. Now, over a half-decade later, she has announced she’ll be following her passion for the game to the University of Brandon for the fall of 2021.

The high school senior, currently attending North Battleford Comprehensive High School (NBCHS), said she is already very much looking forward to joining the Brandon Bobcats next year. She said the school really ‘checked off all the boxes’ of what she was hoping to find, to take her game to the post-secondary level.

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“I really like that it has that small community feel,” Hannah said. “It’s a bit bigger than North Battleford, but still a really supportive community that’s involved with their sports and their athletes. I also have some family down there with grandparents nearby, and I’ll still be playing U of S and be closer to home,” she added.

Hannah’s coach at NBCHS, Jana Friedenstab, said she was not surprised in the least to hear the news of her commitment to the U-Sports level.

Friedenstab, who has coached Hannah to a Bronze medal in club volleyball, and 5A Bronze at provincials, said Brandon University should be ecstatic to have someone like Hannah who provides so much value to a team both on and off the court.

“She is a really hard worker, she’s very open to feedback, and she’s very good with tactical information and processing game plans,” Friedenstab said. “She’s [also] just really determined, and such a great kid. Her personality is infectious which makes her fun to be around, as both a good teammate and a real leader.”

Perhaps best encapsulating Hannah’s character, is her response when asked to reflect on her most memorable moments in the sport.

Rather than list off her provincial accolades or individual accomplishments, Hannah said what she really cherishes about her time in volleyball, are the relationships she’s been able to make over the years, playing the game she loves.

“I have made friendships that will last a lifetime,” she said. “I’ve definitely met a few friends that I’ll have around forever, so I think that’s my favourite thing about volleyball.”

Hannah said she’s looking forward to what the next chapter holds, in Brandon, Man.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1