Joren Zeeman
men’s volleyball
Rookie Joren Zeeman made quite a statement in his first two games with the Queen’s men’s volleyball team.
The 6’6” right side hitter leads the OUA in kills per game.
He had 19 kills and no errors on 31 attempts in the Gaels’ five-set win against Laurier on Friday night.
Saturday night, he had 16 kills and two errors on 25 attempts in another five-set victory, over Waterloo University.
Zeeman said the level of play at Queen’s is much higher than on his high school team.
“The games are way faster and a lot more intense,” he said. “You have less time to react and think about things.”
The team is now 2-0 in the regular season. Head coach Brenda Willis said they needed a strong performance from a young player because of injuries, especially to Dan McCrae, who plays the same position.
“Right now, [Zeeman] is the main guy in our offence,” she said.
Willis said Zeeman’s strengths are his excellent jumping skills and his attacking ability.
“He’s able to make good use of sets even when they’re a bit off,” she said.
Willis said Zeeman could improve on blocking and defence, but those aspects of his game will continue to mature.
“His hitting is already reliable, which speaks well for his long-term future,” she said.
Zeeman said the technical aspects of his game need work, adding that he just wants to help the team in any way he can.
“I want to help the team where I’m needed, whether that’s playing a substitute role or cheering on the bench.”
—Brooke Manjuris
Emily Newton
field hockey
Returning forward Emily Newton has thrived in her new role on the Queen’s field hockey team.
Having played wing in her first year, she now plays centre—a switch she said was hard at first.
“I [now] have a different perspective of the field,” she said.
Last weekend, when the field hockey team played a few tough games, Newton was a bright light against Carleton University. She scored two goals in the Gaels’ 5-0 win on Sunday afternoon.
The Gaels had lost their two previous games, 4-0 to the University of Guelph and the 5-1 to the University of Toronto.
Newton said it was a relief to score.
“I’ve had trouble putting the balls in the net but more recently I’ve been able to do that,” she said.
Now in her second year playing for the Gaels, Newton said she had an easier time adjusting to being a varsity athlete.
“I definitely knew what to expect in of balance between field hockey and school,” she said.
Head coach Sean Smith said he was impressed with Newton’s defensive play this year.
“She’s really helped out,” he said. “The number of goals she’s had has gone down, but she’s really added control to the forward line.”
The team finished the regular season in fifth place, one point behind Western, which qualified them for the OUA championships this weekend in Nepean, Ontario.
Newton said the team needs to be more focused in order to achieve their ultimate goal of the OUA title.
“We just need to give it our all,” she said. “We are capable, but we just have to do it.”
—Brooke Manjuris
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