by Erika Neufeld
“A big swing from MacPhail down the line!”
“Another huge block from Ryan at the net!”
“Impressive save from Huntley in the backcourt!”
If you listened to any of the 10 Mystics volleyball home games on ACAA TV, those are just a few of the most common phrases you would have heard from the commentators. Or if you visited in person, you know it was even more electric!
Across the board, close games were being played, and each team was fighting for their chance to represent Atlantic Canada at Nationals. The Mystics had a slow start to the season before picking up a winning streak in November.
The team put up a fight in each match, maintaining a spot in the top rankings of the conference throughout the season. Mystics volleyball is known for many things, one being a consistently tough opponent. A difficult part of stopping a strong offensive team is being prominent with defence; Mystics achieved this by being among the top teams in blocks throughout the entire season.
During match point of the final game on the road against the Dalhousie Rams, key player Catherine MacPhail suffered a knee injury that put her out for the rest of the season. MacPhail shared that she had confidence that her team could step up, since they “don’t rely on just one or two players; everyone on the team is capable of making a big impact on the game.”
Despite such a consistent and dominant player being stuck on the sidelines, the team rallied to adjust with new faces in the starting lineup. Two Murphys (of no relation to each other) took turns proving themselves as high-calibre players capable of filling MacPhail’s shoes.
First-year Mia Murphy earned her court time by establishing a strong offensive presence at the net. As a fresh face on the team, she shared that although “being a first year can be frightening at first,” knowing that the teammates and coaches she was surrounded by had been in her shoes before was something she kept in mind during those moments. Mia’s biggest takeaway from the season and advice for future rookies is to remember that if a coach seems like they are being firm, “just remember that they’re only doing it because they see the potential in you to do great things, so don’t take it too personally.”
Third-year Emily Murphy made her mark on the court, stepping up to the challenge and bringing positive energy and determination with her. Known as a hardworking player, she gave it her all but never forgot to encourage and cheer on her teammates. Emily shared the quote, “Excitement and nervousness are the same emotion just framed differently,” shared by MSVU Mental Skills Coach Bryan Fader, which helped her turn her fear of messing up into excitement for the opportunity.
After a season of adapting and growing, the Mystics finished their regular play and headed into ACAA Championships with a 12-8 record, ranking them among the six teams that qualified for the final tournament. This also came with the announcement that Catherine MacPhail and Sarah Ryan would be making the First and Second All-Conference Teams, respectively!
Unfortunately, a tough quarter-final match against the Dalhousie Rams signalled the season’s end for the girls. While it wasn’t the ending the team had wanted, the true heartbreak came with wishing their seniors farewell. Emily Murphy fondly shared that all three Mystic veterans have made an impact as both players and captains and will never be replaced in the team’s hearts. Hannah Huntley, Mckenzie Antle, and Catherine MacPhail all hung up their jerseys, retiring as influential and beloved team players.
Setter Mckenzie Antle will graduate with a bachelor’s in Science with a major in Psychology, and is starting her journey to become an RCMP officer! Antle shared that one thing she will take away from her experience with the mystics is her “growth as a person from pushing through many challenges.” These adversities made her a stronger person. She also notes the friendships she created with every teammate will forever be cherished.
Outside hitter and occasional libero Hannah Huntley will be graduating with a bachelor’s in Hospitality and Tourism before going on to her next chapter. Huntley recalls the biggest lesson that came from her time as a Mystic was “trust is everything,” further explaining that “a team can’t succeed without complete confidence in each player to do their job on the court.” They experienced highs and lows as a team, but in the end, it always returned to trust.
Outside hitter Catherine Macphail will be graduating with a degree in Sociology and heading out into the world. MacPhail revealed her biggest takeaway from the four years she was a Mystic is that “playing at the Mount is more than just representing a university; it’s about playing alongside friends and for a community that truly supports you.”
The Mystics volleyball program will no doubt miss these seniors in years to come as they venture into the world beyond Mount Saint Vincent University!
Make sure to cheer on your Mystics next year in the 2025/2026 season, and keep an eye out for returning and new faces on the court!
Photos provided by D Winston Photo. For more Mystics photography, you can find him on Instagram and Facebook.
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