Thomson to tryout for Team Canada beach squad

By Earl Zukerman

MONTREAL – Jennifer Thomson, a senior with the McGill Martlets has been invited to attend the Canadian national beach volleyball team selection camp in Toronto. Dec. 5-7.

Among the other invitees to the camp is former McGill volleyball star Marie-Andrée Lessard, a 30-year-old native of Laval, Que., who has earned $97,500 since joining the pro beach tour since 1999.

The purpose of the camp is to identify, select and train a group of athletes that have potential to win medals at future Olympic Games.

Thomson, a 5-foot-7 power hitter from Rosemere, Que., is a two-time all-Canadian. The 21-year-old physical education major, earned CIS rookie-of-the-year honours during her freshman year in 2005-06. She currently ranks sixth among CIS leaders in digs per game (4.9) and seventh in kills per game (3.7).

“It’s great news for Jen and for our program,” said Rachèle Béliveau, in her 18th season as head coach at McGill. “She has really improved her game, both offensively and especially on defence. Her serve receive ratio currently averages 2.52 (out of 3.0) and is certainly among the best averages in Canada. She is also ranked among the top 10 in CIS stats on defence, kills and points per game.”