As announced by Volleyball Canada this past Friday (May 30), both University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's volleyball players Julia Murmann and Delaney Watson have been named to the Canadian women's senior national team.

The duo were two of 16 athletes announced for the Canadian traveling roster and will compete with Team Canada at the kick-off event for the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Ottawa this week. Both Murmann and Watson were selected as liberos for the senior national team.

"It's such an honour to get selected to represent Canada," said Murmann. "Getting to compete at this level is amazing – you're constantly challenged and surrounded by talented athletes from round the world. But what I love most is knowing that I get to represent my country."

A social sciences major at U of T, Murmann has become a consistent presence on the Canadian women's national team previously competing for Canada at several international events including 2024 VNL, 2023 NORCECA Continental Cup, and 2023 Pan American Cup.

As for Watson, this will mark the first appearance for the genome biology and neuroscience student with the senior national team as she makes the move up from Volleyball Canada's Next Gen program.

"I feel very grateful for the opportunity and I am looking forward to learning everything I can from a group of very talented athletes and coaches," said Watson. "During my time with the U21 and U19 programs, I feel I got a sneak peek into what it takes to get to the highest level and those opportunities have prepared me for today."

In four seasons with the Blues, Murmann has showcased both her offensive and defensive capabilities accruing over 800 career kills and digs. This past season, she ranked as Top 5 in the province in both total kills (267) and total digs (222), while earning U SPORTS all-Canadian honours for a third time. As for Watson, in just two seasons with U of T she has already established herself as one of the best defensive specialists in the country. In her rookie season she garnered U SPORTS and OUA all-rookie honours, and this past year she earned OUA all-star recognition for a second consecutive year. Following the completion of her sophomore season this past spring she has already surpassed 600 career digs.

The pair recognize the impact they have been able to have on each other while competing together with the Varsity Blues.

"We've played together at U of T the past two years and it's been really fun getting to know Delaney both on-and-off the court," detailed Murmann. "I've seen her work so hard to get here and that's super exciting."

"In our time together at U of T, Julia and I have developed a strong relationship and learned how to work together very well on the court," added Watson. "She has been a fantastic training partner and always pushed me to become a better player – I am very grateful for her continued support!"

Canada opens their VNL competition scheduled versus Bulgaria on June 4 at the Arena at TD Place.