The College of the Rockies’ women’s volleyball team is the biggest it’s ever been, ahead of the 2010-11 season.

They’ve added eight recruits from near and far to the five returning players.

Back from last season are Kieren Britton, Stephanie Barker, and outside hitters Erica Shouldice, Andrea Taylor and Rachel Cohen.

The new recruits might be tougher to distinguish since head coach Lisa Ramsey’s recruitment has led to commitments from a pair of Rebeccas in the middle: Zemlak from Prince George, and Christensen from Red Deer.

Add to that mix Michelle Werbecky, also from PG, and there could be problems communicating if the articulation isn’t spot on.

“It’s worse that the two in the middle are Rebecca and Becca (the latter referring to Christensen). I said during our bonding trip next week, we’ll be finding nicknames for sure,” said Ramsey.

With Tonia Bunnah having moved on and Britton committed to playing just the first semester, Ramsey had looked at the middle position as one to key on in recruitment.

Christensen and Zemlak will also be competing with Barker, who is being moved over from the right side.

“I’m not putting any pressure on the middles. I’m hoping by the time (the season gets underway as) the end of October rolls around that they’re prepared to play,” said Ramsey.

Zemlak was captain of her high school team, but last played in 2008-09. Although Ramsey expects it will take her a while to get back into the rhythm of the game, she said Zemlak should have an edge in maturity.

“She’s going to work hard, and I know she’s ecstatic to be here and playing,” said Ramsey. “She’s extremely excited, as are most of the girls. I need her to go about doing her job and learning to be confident and comfortable in the middle by the time Kieren leaves.”

Christensen is one of two new Avs players to join from the Sylvan Lake club team, a side Ramsey got to see a lot of as coach of the East Kootenay Volleyball Club under-18 girls.

“Becca maybe has a little bit up on the rest of the girls in the middle for a starting spot, being that she’s fresh out of high school and club, and has been playing that for a very long time,” said Ramsey.

Paige Fredrickson also played for Sylvan Lake, her hometown. Ramsey sees her as a versatile utility player for the Avs.

“Her coach seemed to put her in a lot of different places. She’s versatile but (at 5-foot-4) she isn’t going to be out there swinging.”

Another candidate for the starting libero position is Canmore’s Cassia Remple, who is 5-foot-6.

“She’s got a good base: good skills, good footwork. She’s always happy; she’ll be good in the back row,” said Ramsey.

Rylee Newlove joins the team out of Saskatoon, through her friend Britton.

She tried out in front of assistant coach Andrew Zurrin earlier this summer, and Ramsey figured Newlove would be used in many spots and showed promise as a setter.

Michelle Werbecky is expected to be the starting setter, and at 5-foot-7 she would be one of the tallest at that position for the Avs in years.

Marlee Kanigan hails from South Slocan, and played last season with the Selkirk College Saints. She has switched to COTR to study in the Tourism and Recreation Management program.

Ramsey is expecting Kanigan to be a gritty player with great power who has to work on consistency.

“Coming into this program, the way I coach is very focused on being better on the little things. I don’t think she had that before so I think she’s going to do a lot better here,” said the coach.

The new player with the shortest commute will be Justine Rundberg, who was in the 2010 grad class at Mount Baker secondary and played under Zurrin there.

Ramsey coached her several years ago on an EKVC team, and is looking forward to Rundberg bringing her tenacity and perseverance to COTR.

“She’ll run into a frigging wall to get the ball,” said the coach. “She’s very internally competitive, and I’m hoping that that is somewhat contagious.”

With 13 athletes on the roster, Ramsey may add another at open tryouts that are being held Sept. 8 and 9.