Two V-Red squads land top prospects

Andrew Meade/The Brunswickan

Jordan Irvine will join other young V-Red stars such Daniel Quirion (right). The 6'0'' guard is seen blowing past two CBU defenders during AUS play last season.

Colin McPhail

April 12, 2010 2:17 PM ADT

The men’s basketball and women’s volleyball programs recently added some depth by snagging two of New Brunswick’s top prospects.

The UNB men’s basketball team addressed one its major concerns with the acquisition of Woodstock Thunder all-star Jordan Irvine for the 2010-11 season. The 6’4” forward will give the Reds some much needed depth for the upcoming campaign.

Head coach Brent Baker feels that Irvine will become an important part of the Reds as they try get back into the playoffs. The 2009-10 season marked the fourth straight year UNB failed to make the postseason.

“Jordan is a great addition to our program,” said Baker. “We feel Jordan is the best player coming out of New Brunswick this year.”

The Reds’ bench boss noted that Irvine’s strength will be an excellent asset in the tough AUS conference.

“His size and strength will help him make a seamless transition from High School to the CIS,” said Baker. “His toughness, rebounding, and ability to shoot with range will make him a needed commodity in the UNB lineup and tough matchups for opponents.”

Irvine will be pursuing a bachelor of arts.

UNB’s women’s volleyball program was also busy as they picked up another one of New Brunswick’s top prospects. Bathurst native Taylor MacDonald will be joining the squad for the 2010-11 season. The Reds also received commitments from setter Amanda Bakker of Winnipeg and middle Celina Abba of Fredericton earlier this year.

MacDonald, a left-side player coming out the Volleyball New Brunswick’s Provincial Elite program, not only excels on the court, but in the classroom as well. She will receive a four-year UNB President’s Scholarship as she begins a bachelor of science in the fall.

“We are so thrilled to get this commitment from such an exceptional student-athlete,” said head coach John Richard. “With what Taylor has been able to accomplish in the classroom along with her tremendous athletic upside, I feel we have secured exactly the type individual we strive to find each year.

“Once she is given the opportunity and experience within our program, we feel she can become a strong university player. I consider her and Celina Abba the top two grade 12 players in our province and to get both of them bodes well for our future.”

MacDonald is excited to begin her university volleyball career and is pleased to be doing so in her home province.

“I am excited about my upcoming freshmen year at UNB,” said MacDonald. “I feel that is the right team for me to grow and develop with in the future. I'm glad that I am staying in New Brunswick where I know I will have a lot of local and provincial support.”