CREDIT: FANSHAWE ATHLETICS
Janelle Albert, outside hitter for the Fanshawe women's volleyball team, was named the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Player of the Year at the CCAA National Championships held in Welland on March 6.

It’s been a quite the year for Fanshawe Falcon Janelle Albert, outside hitter and team captain for the Fanshawe Women’s Volleyball Team.

After leading her team through an undefeated regular season, securing a provincial gold and recently a national bronze, Albert was named the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Player of Year. The award was presented at the CCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship banquet held in Welland, Ontario on March 6.

Five volleyball players from different areas of Canada were nominated by their respective conferences.

Albert’s achievement marks the first time a Fanshawe Falcon volleyball player has ever received the prestigious national award.

Albert is also a CCAA All-Canadian, selected by her conference based on contributions to the team and overall performance. She was also named one of the First Team All Stars at the CCAA Championship.

These accomplishments were preceded by other major achievements as well, including being named the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Player of the Year at the OCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship banquet in Sudbury on February 22, in addition to OCAA Championship Most Valuable Player.

Although the accomplishments and wins have been exciting for Albert, she attributes much of her success to her team members. “Being on the Fanshawe volleyball team is an incredible opportunity and my team has become my second family,” Albert said.

For the first time in Fanshawe Women’s Volleyball history, the team was undefeated in their 18-match regular season. “We didn’t lose a single regular season game and I’m so proud of how hard we have worked all season to make having an undefeated season and winning provincials possible,” Albert said. “Doing it with a closeknit, fun, positive, encouraging group of girls makes it that much better,” she added.

Albert’s volleyball career started at a young age, when she started playing in her backyard with her dad and two brothers at just eight years old. When she was eleven, she played for the Georgetown Impact Volleyball Club, at an age group above her own.

Before attending Fanshawe, Albert played in the Pakmen Volleyball Club in Mississauga, followed by a year with the Ryerson University Rams varsity team, where the team also had an undefeated season.

She volunteers her time coaching at the Pakmen club, Woodstock Warriors Volleyball Club, and Fanshawe Preseason Club Clinic. She also dedicates a portion of her time volunteering as a referee at local elementary schools.