Boulding sees Montana as opportunity to take game to highest level
11/12/2021 5:48:00 PM | Volleyball
The early signing period began on Tuesday, with two volleyball players signing a National Letter of Intent to play for Montana. Below is outside hitter Olivia Boulding's story; Part 2, featuring incoming outside hitter Maddie Pyles, will come next week
Olivia Boulding is too young to have followed Jaimie Thibeault's Griz career, being just 6 years old when Thibeault wrapped up her luxurious senior season and historic career at Montana.
It would be unfair to compare Boulding, just 17 and a senior at Claremont Secondary School in Victoria, British Columbia, to Thibeault, an all-time Griz great who is one of three Montana players to ever earn three first-team All-Big Sky selections, ranking first in school history for career blocks, second for hitting percentage and 10th for kills.
Thibeault, of course, went on to a lengthy career with the Canadian national team, as well, representing her home nation for eight seasons on some of the sport's biggest stages.
So yes, it would be unfair for us to hold Boulding to those standards before she even enrolls at the University of Montana. But if you ask Boulding herself, she won't shy away from those expectations.
"I want to be the very best player," she said earlier this week, after signing her National Letter of Intent to play for Montana. "I don't just want to be on the biggest stage, but I want to be the best player on that stage."
The more you talk with Boulding, the more you realize her comments don't come with the slightest bit of cockiness, just pure determination.
"I'm super competitive, and I don't want to shy away from, at any point, getting the ball in big situations," she said. "I want to be a reason we win a point or win a game."
That determination, she said, helped her in her decision to commit to Montana.
She was at first drawn to the coaching staff and friendly personalities on the court.
But then she came on an official visit and saw the intensity the team practiced with.
She watched not only Montana compete – and win – in person, but also saw the women's basketball team play, and saw the community support that makes Montana special.
Ultimately, Montana is where she thought she could develop into the best player that she aspires to be.
"Playing college at Montana is somewhere that can definitely help me do that," the 6-1 pin hitter said. "I think this is an environment where I can thrive in and, with the help of my coaches, really grow my game to the next level."
She's always been one of the top players in her province, being selected to play for Team British Columbia at a young age. But more recently, she was invited to the National Excellence Program (NEP), a system designed to prepare athletes for the senior national team and playing professionally overseas.
The NEP trains, competes in exhibitions and travels to international tournaments. Boulding is one of four British Columbia natives and six outside hitters on the 18-person roster.
This past September, Boulding competed at the FIVB Volleyball Girls' U18 World Championship in Durango, Mexico. Playing against competition spanning the globe – Canada had matches against Cameroon, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Puerto Rico, Serbia and Slovakia – Boulding was her team's second-leading point-scorer for the tournament, leading the team for kills and points in its final match vs. Mexico.
It was an unforgettable experience for Boulding, who got to represent the maple leaf on her jersey. But Canada didn't perform as well as she would have liked, which fueled her even more.
"It gave me a taste of what it's like, and now I want to get back there again," she said. "I want to help Canada win, and I want to be a national-team player."
But first, back to Montana, where Boulding will suit up this fall. After getting her first glimpse of Missoula in person earlier this fall, she can't wait to come back.
"Everyone told me how beautiful it was, but seeing it in person, it was truly breathtaking," she said. "Everywhere we got food at was so good, too."
She's excited to be around the girls, commenting on how nice and welcoming they've been throughout her recruiting process and visit.
And, mostly, she's excited to get on the court and compete.
So, too is her new head coach, Allison Lawrence, who said that offering Boulding was a 'no-brainer'.
On the court, she is a pin hitter who has a strong arm and can score points. Even more impressive to Lawrence, is her ball control – something much harder to teach.
"Her back-row skills are really incredible, and that excites me because I think she can be a true, six-rotation player for us."
Boulding is just the latest Canadian to commit to Montana. She will join setter Carly Anderson, a native of Mississauga, Ontario, on the current roster, and follows recent Canadian Grizzlies, including Janna Grimsrud and Cassie Laramee.
Beginning with Claudio Houle in 2004, Montana has had at least one Canadian on its roster in 16 of the past 18 seasons.
Those connections played a role in bringing Boulding onto Montana's radar.
"Dana (Hallisey, associate head coach from Fort St. John, British Columbia, who spent five seasons playing alongside Thibeault on the Canadian national team) has really good connections throughout B.C. and Canada, and so she has coaches that she trusts there," Lawrence explained. "The feedback of how special Olivia is was impossible to ignore."
That came across during the first phone conversation between Boulding and Lawrence, which really set the tone for the remainder of the recruiting process.
"She's funny, she's kind and she's someone who is genuine and driven," Lawrence said. "Immediately, she became someone that I wanted to go through these really hard and emotional and joyous experiences with. We can't wait to have her here."
The Boulding File
Will be a 2022 graduate of Claremont Secondary School in Victoria, British Columbia… Has twice been named her team's MVP, being selected all-league both seasons… Helped the Spartans to back-to-back city, regional and provincial titles in 2018 and 2019… Head volleyball coach is Scott Freeburn… Played club volleyball for Momentum Volley… Has been a part of the Team British Columbia and National Excellence Program (NEP) systems, competing in several international tournaments, including the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Girls' U18 World Championship in Durango, Mexico.
Personal: Born and raised in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada… Parents are Cathey Nelson and Shawn Boulding… Both played volleyball in college at the University of Victoria in Canada… Has a younger brother, Jackson… Is interested in studying business marketing, with a possible focus in sports broadcasting.
Olivia Boulding is too young to have followed Jaimie Thibeault's Griz career, being just 6 years old when Thibeault wrapped up her luxurious senior season and historic career at Montana.
It would be unfair to compare Boulding, just 17 and a senior at Claremont Secondary School in Victoria, British Columbia, to Thibeault, an all-time Griz great who is one of three Montana players to ever earn three first-team All-Big Sky selections, ranking first in school history for career blocks, second for hitting percentage and 10th for kills.
Thibeault, of course, went on to a lengthy career with the Canadian national team, as well, representing her home nation for eight seasons on some of the sport's biggest stages.
So yes, it would be unfair for us to hold Boulding to those standards before she even enrolls at the University of Montana. But if you ask Boulding herself, she won't shy away from those expectations.
"I want to be the very best player," she said earlier this week, after signing her National Letter of Intent to play for Montana. "I don't just want to be on the biggest stage, but I want to be the best player on that stage."
The more you talk with Boulding, the more you realize her comments don't come with the slightest bit of cockiness, just pure determination.
"I'm super competitive, and I don't want to shy away from, at any point, getting the ball in big situations," she said. "I want to be a reason we win a point or win a game."
That determination, she said, helped her in her decision to commit to Montana.
She was at first drawn to the coaching staff and friendly personalities on the court.
But then she came on an official visit and saw the intensity the team practiced with.
She watched not only Montana compete – and win – in person, but also saw the women's basketball team play, and saw the community support that makes Montana special.
Ultimately, Montana is where she thought she could develop into the best player that she aspires to be.
"Playing college at Montana is somewhere that can definitely help me do that," the 6-1 pin hitter said. "I think this is an environment where I can thrive in and, with the help of my coaches, really grow my game to the next level."
Boulding knows that goals of the national team are far off in the future, but she's already on the right track.The Canadian pipeline continues. We're so excited to welcome Olivia Boulding to Griz Nation! 🇨🇦🐻#GrizVB #NSD21 #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/TOsSfgrUut
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) November 11, 2021
She's always been one of the top players in her province, being selected to play for Team British Columbia at a young age. But more recently, she was invited to the National Excellence Program (NEP), a system designed to prepare athletes for the senior national team and playing professionally overseas.
The NEP trains, competes in exhibitions and travels to international tournaments. Boulding is one of four British Columbia natives and six outside hitters on the 18-person roster.
This past September, Boulding competed at the FIVB Volleyball Girls' U18 World Championship in Durango, Mexico. Playing against competition spanning the globe – Canada had matches against Cameroon, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Puerto Rico, Serbia and Slovakia – Boulding was her team's second-leading point-scorer for the tournament, leading the team for kills and points in its final match vs. Mexico.
It was an unforgettable experience for Boulding, who got to represent the maple leaf on her jersey. But Canada didn't perform as well as she would have liked, which fueled her even more.
"It gave me a taste of what it's like, and now I want to get back there again," she said. "I want to help Canada win, and I want to be a national-team player."
But first, back to Montana, where Boulding will suit up this fall. After getting her first glimpse of Missoula in person earlier this fall, she can't wait to come back.
"Everyone told me how beautiful it was, but seeing it in person, it was truly breathtaking," she said. "Everywhere we got food at was so good, too."
She's excited to be around the girls, commenting on how nice and welcoming they've been throughout her recruiting process and visit.
And, mostly, she's excited to get on the court and compete.
So, too is her new head coach, Allison Lawrence, who said that offering Boulding was a 'no-brainer'.
On the court, she is a pin hitter who has a strong arm and can score points. Even more impressive to Lawrence, is her ball control – something much harder to teach.
"Her back-row skills are really incredible, and that excites me because I think she can be a true, six-rotation player for us."
Boulding is just the latest Canadian to commit to Montana. She will join setter Carly Anderson, a native of Mississauga, Ontario, on the current roster, and follows recent Canadian Grizzlies, including Janna Grimsrud and Cassie Laramee.
Beginning with Claudio Houle in 2004, Montana has had at least one Canadian on its roster in 16 of the past 18 seasons.
Those connections played a role in bringing Boulding onto Montana's radar.
"Dana (Hallisey, associate head coach from Fort St. John, British Columbia, who spent five seasons playing alongside Thibeault on the Canadian national team) has really good connections throughout B.C. and Canada, and so she has coaches that she trusts there," Lawrence explained. "The feedback of how special Olivia is was impossible to ignore."
That came across during the first phone conversation between Boulding and Lawrence, which really set the tone for the remainder of the recruiting process.
"She's funny, she's kind and she's someone who is genuine and driven," Lawrence said. "Immediately, she became someone that I wanted to go through these really hard and emotional and joyous experiences with. We can't wait to have her here."
The Boulding File
Will be a 2022 graduate of Claremont Secondary School in Victoria, British Columbia… Has twice been named her team's MVP, being selected all-league both seasons… Helped the Spartans to back-to-back city, regional and provincial titles in 2018 and 2019… Head volleyball coach is Scott Freeburn… Played club volleyball for Momentum Volley… Has been a part of the Team British Columbia and National Excellence Program (NEP) systems, competing in several international tournaments, including the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Girls' U18 World Championship in Durango, Mexico.
Personal: Born and raised in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada… Parents are Cathey Nelson and Shawn Boulding… Both played volleyball in college at the University of Victoria in Canada… Has a younger brother, Jackson… Is interested in studying business marketing, with a possible focus in sports broadcasting.
Players Mentioned
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