SUBMITTED PHOTO Montana Wright (middle front) practised with the Rattlers women's team while with her club team recently.
Eagle Butte’s Montana Wright is staying close to home as a student-athlete next season.
The Grade 12 player signed with the Medicine Hat College Rattlers women’s volleyball program last week along with the five others.
“I planned on staying home anyways,” said Wright. “That was my first go-to what I wanted to do. You know save cost and be around my family, who always supports me in sports and being given that opportunity to play here was perfect for me I think.”
Wright says what intrigued her the most about the Rattlers’ program besides staying home was the opportunity to practise with the team a couple of times.
“The coaching staff and all the girls there, everyone was very welcoming and it was an atmosphere I really enjoyed,” she said.
The difference for her between high school and the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference will be “just the level of intensity and you’ve got to be more mentally developed in your focus.”
She is also a member of the Medicine Hat Alberta Volleyball Club and her plan in preparation for her college rookie season is to practise her skills and become the best player she can be.
The 6-foot-1 middle blocker credits much of her progress in volleyball to her coaches and teammates.
“Just all the experience I got though the three years as a Talon were amazing and I think really prepared me for the future,” said Wright.
Rattlers coach Kim Stonehouse attended some of Wright’s high school games in the city as well as club practices. The relationship that was built helped Wright in becoming a Rattler.
“I already knew I wanted her on my team,” said Stonehouse. “But seeing her and seeing how coachable she was and how she was around her teammates is a really important thing I look for in my recruits. Not that I know it already but that solidified it for me.”
Stonehouse says when the program gets a high-calibre local athlete in Wright, she is confident that she will be a part of the legacy building the team is looking for.
“I think it’s great for them to play in front of their hometown and in front of their family and friends. I think that’s a great thing for those local recruits that end up at the college,” said Stonehouse.
The Rattlers already have experienced middle blockers on the roster and Stonehouse anticipates Wright will have more of a net presence with her height.
“She’s going to have some time to learn and pick up the speed of the game. It’s a lot different than the speed that they’re going to be playing at the high school and club level right now,” she said.
“I’m really excited for her because she will have that year to develop. That’s not always the case at the college level.”
Note: This story has been updated to correct that Montana Wright is a member of the Medicine Hat Alberta Volleyball Club, not South East Volleyball Club.
