VICTORIA – Building on their most successful Canada West campaign in nine seasons, the UVic Vikes women's rugby team kicks off their pursuit of a 2010 postseason appearance this Friday against the reigning national champs Lethbridge Pronghorns.

OVERVIEW
With a core of veterans and a fresh batch of nationally tested recruits, head coach #Brad Skene# returns to the Wallace Field sidelines for his third year with the women's rugby program eyeing nothing short of a postseason appearance.

2009-10 IN REVIEW
A nine-year Canada West futility streak came to an end last season, as Skene's squad showed signs of turning the corner. The Vikes snapped their losing skid with a 5-0 win over Calgary, and then ground it out with rivals UBC Thunderbirds before falling 8-5. The team's new-found confidence carried over to divisional play where they captured third place in the Vancouver Island senior division.

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS
Captaining the squad, and steering the forwards from the no. 8 position, will be former Canada under-20 player and 2008 conference All-Star #Jesse Olynyk#. Alongside Olynyk is two-time Canada West All-Star scrum half #Sarah Logan#, who returns for her senior year of eligibility. At the point of engagement, kicking prop #Randi Hunter# returns fresh off of capturing the North American Caribbean Association title with the junior national team.

OFF-SEASON ADDITIONS
Headlining a dozen of talented recruits is BC U19 player #Casandra Stevens# of Cowichan, BC. The Vikes have added depth to their back line with another Cowichan recruit in speedster #Monica Dunlop#. Re-enforcing the second row is #Christina Borring-Olsen#, a 5-8 lock out of Kelowna.

COACH'S COMMENTS
“We definitely want to qualify for the Canada West tournament and improve our league results this year,” Skene said. “Being competitive and closing the gap between us and some of the best teams in the country will be a challenge for this team to overcome.”

“Jesse Olynyk is a former Canada U20 player and will lead from the front as captain,” Skene added. “Her ball carrying ability combined with her offloading skills maker her a very dangerous player and she is quick to create turnovers in the open field.”

2010 CANADA WEST FALL SCHEDULE