General 8/10/2022 10:30:00 AM Olivia Roest

Leggett ready to take the floor at MRU after returning from Maccabiah Games

Marie Leggett of the Mount Royal Cougars women's volleyball team spent her summer preparing for and competing at the Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem, Israel. Leggett spent two weeks overseas competing for Team Canada in the women's open division against other members of the Jewish community from all around the world.

Leggett, a second-year business student at MRU, attended tryouts for the games in August 2021 for the open women's division. She was one of five women from British Columbia to make the Canadian team that headed to Israel in July, the rest of the team was from Toronto.

The Maccabiah Games is one of the biggest international sporting events in the world and is held every four years in Jerusalem. It promotes sports and Jewish heritage to all contenders and is also known as the Jewish Olympics. Leggett said she even saw U.S. President Joe Biden in attendance at opening ceremonies.

Team Canada, considered a younger team compared to some of the other countries, only practiced together three times before playing their opening game against Team USA. The girls had practiced once in Toronto before heading to Israel and then had a few practices before they started pool play.

The Canadian team placed fifth in the games, beating team Colombia in the consolation final. Leggett who is only 19-years-old, played against women who were double her age. She also commented on the differences and challenges of playing overseas.

"The ceilings were super low in the stadium, which made passing balls from the other teams harder than usual and where we played and the temperature was much hotter than it is in Canada which was definitely an adjustment for me."

The 5'10 setter from North Vancouver is looking forward to getting back on the court with the Cougars for the upcoming season after their second-place finish at the U SPORTS Nationals in March. To get ready for the upcoming season with the women's team, Leggett trains on the court 5 days a week with other university players in her area at the Richmond Oval in Vancouver and works out with her coach twice a week.

"I have been working on improving my overall fitness and staying in shape throughout the summer," Leggett said "Specifically for setting, I have been working on my tempo sets and hitting locations from anywhere on the court. I think that getting the touches against pro-level players this summer has really prepared me for this upcoming season. I feel like playing against women who were double my age grew my confidence on the court and I am really excited to get back to MRU and play with all the girls again."

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#6 Marie Leggett: S; 5' 10"; First Year

Players Mentioned

#6 Marie Leggett
: 5' 10"; First Year
: S

Players Mentioned

#6 Marie Leggett

Players Mentioned

#6 Marie Leggett