OCAA Transfer Billard bounces to Tommies

Tommies pick up OCAA transfer

The St. Thomas University men’s volleyball team is excited to announce the addition of Loyalist College transfer Kalen Billard to the program for the 2023-2024 season.

Hailing from Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Billard is a scrappy left-side player who will elevate the team in serve receive and defense.

Billard spent last season at Loyalist College and remarkably returned in the second semester from an achilles injury suffered just four months prior. Despite this, he went on to record 48 kills and 10 aces, all this in his rookie season.

Tommies Head Coach Henri Mallet looks forward to welcoming a player with this type of resiliency.

“What we are getting in Kalen Billard, is a player who will work as hard as it takes to be a successful player. He will help us in a multitude of ways and will be able to push for a starting spot.”

With the graduation of crafty veteran and captain Adam McDougall, the team needed a player who could replace the production on the defensive end of the floor, and that’s what Billard will be able to bring.

“Defence is the biggest part of my game, and I have always put a ton of emphasis on my passing. Those traits help me differentiate myself while also focusing on my offensive game. I have always been an undersized left-side but that has never stopped me,” said Billard.

Billard is the second transfer to join the Tommies this offseason, joining CMU Blazers transfer Tim Juvonen.

The 2023 ACAA Volleyball schedule will be announced in June, with Season Passes on sale in August and training camp opening in early September for the STU Volleyball teams.