Local twins commit to Griffins

By Lethbridge Herald on March 19, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Addison and Alyssa Piekema have committed to play with the MacEwan Griffins women's volleyball program beginning this fall.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Piekema twins of Alyssa and Addison have committed to continue playing volleyball together after completing their time at LCI, as they will head north to play post-secondary with the MacEwan University Griffins starting this fall.

“It’s kind of unreal because I haven’t really heard about anybody else who gets to play really with their sister,” said Alyssa, on Wednesday during a recognition event for her and her sister.

“So I’m really, really grateful to get this experience.”

Addison is also grateful to be moving along to the university level with her sister.

“It’s kind of a privilege to grow up with her and continue to grow up with her at the university level,” said Addison.

Addison talked about what it will be like having her sister there to help build each other up whether it’s on the bench or out on the court.

“Having her right beside me and being able to make me feel better is something that I’m really  looking forward to,” said Addison.

Alyssa said she’s the best person that can be there for me.

“It’s better than any friend or teammate because she’s my sister, so she knows how to help me in the best ways possible when I’m down,” said Alyssa.

Both sisters work together  really well on the court.

“I think since we’ve been playing together our whole lives it’s a really good advantage for any team … that we’re on because we know how to help each other on the court,” said Alyssa.

The recruitment process for the sisters began with the familiarity with Griffins coach Chris Wandler and his involvement with Team Alberta.

“So we’ve known him and talked to him for years probably now, two or three years, and then kind of just last year he started showing interest,” said Alyssa.

“We had our visit in December and he was really interested in recruiting both of us and we thought both going would be awesome.”

Addison thought what appealed to them was the class sizes, the environment and the coaches.

Alyssa said LCI was just amazing.

“I really couldn’t have imagined anything better,” said Alyssa.

“I’m really glad that I transferred here and the school is great but the volleyball just made it 10 times better.”

Addison thought of her two years at LCI as unreal.

“I think the growth I had as both a person and a player when I transferred here was a huge leap from where I was before,” said Addison.

They were both able to enjoy a provincial win this past season with the Clippers and it was the first-ever in the programs history.

“It’s a great opportunity,” said Derek Usman, LCI Clippers varsity girls volleyball head coach.

“They have the skill to play at that level and they also have the volleyball IQ that it takes to play at that level.”