Red Deer’s Josh Gagnon is taking his volleyball talents to B.C.
The Lindsay Thurber High School student will attend the University of Fraser Valley and play for the Cascades in their first season of U Sports volleyball, after spending the past 18 in the PACWEST at the college level.
The six-foot-two left side hitter said he’s excited to play for Nathan Bennett and to compete at the university level.
“I chose UFV because it matches my academic and athletic pursuits,” said Gagnon, who will enroll in the Bachelor of Science program. “I am excited to play for Coach Bennett and to help contribute to the team’s success in U SPORTS, and I’m looking forward to enjoying the great weather.”
Gagnon has a strong volleyball background, as his dad, Terry played for the Canadian national team at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Josh has built his own strong resume, including helping the Lindsay Thurber Raiders to a pair of appearances in the Alberta Schools Athletic Association Volleyball Provincials.
In addition to playing for the Central Alberta Kings Volleyball Club, Gagnon has also been a fixture on Alberta’s provincial teams, representing at the U16 and U17 levels, and on the beach at U16 and U18. He also was part of the Alberta group that took a trip to South Korea’s Gangwon province on a volleyball exchange.
“He has a really high volleyball pedigree coming from Red Deer and a great volleyball family,” Bennett said. “He’ll come in and push for a spot right away. He’s a student of the game.”
The Cascades finished 6-18 last year in the PACWEST and are bringing in nine other recruits along with Gagnon.
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