Tessa May and Devon May – sisters from Roberts Creek – are in Alaska for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Div. 2 women’s volleyball championships, which began Thursday and runs through the weekend.
Tessa and Devon both graduated from Elphinstone Secondary and now play for Simon Fraser University (SFU)’s Clan volleyball team. This is the first time the team will be going to the NCAA Div. 2 Championships.
“Going to the playoffs is almost surreal,” Devon said. “Ever since my first year at SFU, this has always been my goal. And I am more than happy to represent my hometown. After all the ferry rides and sacrifices I had to make for travel, this has paid off. I hope that my sister and I can be even just a little inspiring for young athletes from the Coast – all that time and money spent travelling really is worth it.”
The Clan played Northwest Nazarene on Thursday at the University of Alaska-Anchorage, which is hosting teams from the Western region.
“There were a few people who really pushed me to be the athlete I am today,” Tessa said. “Barry Krangle was the first volleyball coach I ever had. He was an amazing coach and teacher who really taught me the love of the game.”
Tessa also credited Jan and George Richey as early influences in her athletic career, as well as their daughter Kyla Richey who plays volleyball professionally.
“Another person was John Brisebois,” Tessa said. “He was my principal for part of high school and he coached me in Grade 10 and 11. He taught me so much in the way of volleyball and he made me realize that I was good enough to play post secondary.”
Tessa and Devon both started playing volleyball early in their childhoods. Devon – who is two years older – started playing in Grade 3 and has been going steadily for the last 14 years. Unlike a lot of other siblings who descend into petty rivalries, these two help each other at every step.
“I think it really helps our game being as close as we are,” Devon said. “As an older sister I am very invested in Tessa. I feel it is my role to set a good example and influence her in any positive way that I can.
“As for rivalries, surprisingly Tessa and I don’t have a whole lot. I find that our personalities complement each other very well,” Devon said. “We both have always been very close, and are good at dealing with each other’s emotions on and off the court. I would trust her with all aspects of my life, and I feel she would do the same. She’s more than just my sister, she’s also my best friend.”
Games are streaming live from www.athletics.sfu.ca/live, and keep reading Coast Reporter to follow the May sisters’ journey.
