What started as an after-school after thought has turned into a post-secondary pursuit for Allysia Arriola. 
 
Arriola, a 6-foot middle blocker from Delta Secondary School, is the latest member of the Winnipeg Wesmen women's volleyball recruiting class of 2026. 
 
Having her mind set on basketball at an early age, Arriola was turned towards volleyball by a family member who was going to take a crack at their high school squad. 
 
"Originally I was all basketball because my dad played and my brother played, and then when high school started, I told myself that I wanted to try absolutely everything," she said.  So, my cousin 'well, we're gonna try out for the volleyball team, do you want to come?' 
 
So, I played in Grade 8, didn't play a whole lot, but that's OK, it was a fun experience."

From there, Arriola joined friends in trying out for Richmond's Air Attack club and was the only one among her group to make the team, for which she played the next two seasons. 
 
"And then after that I was talking to my club coach about how I wanted to play volleyball after high school because I fell in love with the sport."
 
So determined was she to give herself every opportunity to play university volleyball, Arriola said she tried out for eight club teams going into her Grade 10 year in search of the right fit. 
 
She landed on Seaside Surf in Delta and soon was suiting up for a British Columbia provincial squad that won gold at the Canada Cup. 
 
It has been a quick rise through the sport, but one that has come with a keen focus on her end goal.
 
"I just knew I want to play at a higher level," she said. "I wanted to play for a (Division 1) club team if I can, so I tried out for all the clubs in my area and I got a lot of callback tryouts, but ultimately I chose Seaside because the coaches were just like, 'we can get you there and we will work with you.'"
 
Arriola will arrive in Winnipeg with Wesmen ties already to her name. Her uncle is Sherwin Vasallo, a four-year member of the UWinnipeg men's basketball team in the late 90s who has established himself as a well-known trainer in the province. 
 
Arriola, who said she'd always wanted the chance to branch out away from home, had the chance to train with the Wesmen in Vancouver in November when the team played at UBC, and she quickly realized she'd found her new home.
 
"I've just wanted the experience of living on my own and meeting new people, so my parents and I both thought that Winnipeg would be a great option for me because family is here, but I would still be on my own," she said. "And when I got to practise with the (Wesmen) I just thought this feels right. Like, all the girls are so welcoming and so sweet, and I was like, this is the team that I want to be a part of."
 
In Arriola, head coach Phil Hudson believes the Wesmen have found a well-rounded player with plenty of upside.
 
"Allysia is a solid all-round athlete who jumps well and has a high volleyball IQ," he said. "She has a great team-first attitude and will be a welcomed addition to the Wesmen program."
 
Arriola joins a 2026 class that already includes West Kildonan outside Annika Klumper and Steinbach outside Jubilee Steppan.