This Snow is not melting: Bishop's Falls native takes lessons from national volleyball team camp

It's not something that's normally said throughout Newfoundland and Labrador: Six feet is not enough snow. 

And it's not something Jill Snow was used to hearing either.

The six-foot volleyball star from Leo Burke Academy in Bishop's Falls was at the Canadian women's development camp earlier in May when the coaching staff threw her for a loop with their assessment.

"The coach considered me undersized for that group of girls. I've never been considered undersized before," she said, laughing. "When he said that, I was kind of drawn back. I've never been considered under-sized. It was always like, 'Oh, how tall are you?'"

To be truthful, the whole trip was kind of a can-you-believe-this-is-happening moment. Snow had finished her fourth year of varsity volleyball with the Memorial University Sea-Hawks, leading them to a second place regular season finish and a loss in the Atlantic University Sport championship game to Dalhousie.

For her efforts, she was chosen as the AUS regular season most valuable player, and named to the conference tournament all-star team.

She did everything she could last season, but the team ultimately fell a little short, which is exactly where Snow would find herself in early May.

High-calibre training opportunity

Upon the urging of her coach, John Slauenwhite, Snow applied to attend a national team training camp. She was one of just three AUS players chosen, and joined the other 45 players in Winnipeg from My 2-6.

"I was very excited, and obviously very nervous about it too, I guess," she said during an interview at the Field House.

"Just thinking about going to play with players of that calibre was a lot to have going through my mind. Being from a small town, I've never really been exposed to that kind of coaching or talent or calibre of players, so I was definitely questioning my skills before I went, but it ended up being a great experience."

Despite not making the roster, and being told she was "undersized", Snow takes home a lot of great things from the camp, not the least of which is motivation for next season, her fifth and final one in a Sea-Hawks jersey.

The national team wasn't even on her radar when MUN's season ended. Snow actually was in Punta Cana on vacation the week prior to the camp, and flew directly to Winnipeg to make it there on time.

While the size statement set her back, she realizes that she is capable of playing at that level. However, if the coaching staff considers her size an impediment, Snow knows all that means is other aspects of her game need to be better.

"I think I just need to keep improving myself and improve my fitness, (and) improve my technical skills," the physical education and math major said.

"That's all I can really work on right now. These are the only things I can change, whether it's technical or just fitness levels. Just hard core dedication. In the gym every day, whether it's the weight room or the cardio room, doing individual practices."

Boost for final year at MUN

Snow said it was "an unreal experience" to get that kind of exposure and the experience will boost her last season at MUN.

"To see what level our national team actually plays at and trains at so often, has really changed how I want to help our team, our team culture and the way we play and compete."

Varsity athletes often have this melancholy feel about their final season at MUN. After being a competitive athlete at a high level for so long, many have trouble adjusting when the final whistle blows. 

Snow was looking forward to a successful season with the Sea-Hawks. The team came so close to winning, and with a young core group of athletes returning – and Slauenwhite entering his third season at the helm – Snow expects great things next year.

Going out on top is one of them.

"That would be my ideal fifth year finish, to be able to go to CIS and compete," she said excitedly. 

But winning is just one aspect of next year that she's excited about. Suddenly the national team isn't some far-fetched dream. It's touchable, reachable, and it may allow her to play the game she loves after university.

"Right now for me, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's not all sadness and sorrow when it's over. There's something else I can move onto, which is very helpful with the ending of my five years. That's for sure."

It's hard not to be motivated, said Snow.

"I've been super-excited about my last year for a long time. I decided several years ago that I was always going to play my five years of eligibility at Memorial. I can't imagine not finishing out my last year without 100 per cent effort."