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Coaches love naturally gifted athletes.

Although many refinements can be made to a player’s game over time, there are just some qualities you can’t teach. The Dalhousie AC Rams volleyball program is about to welcome a pair of athletes with some unteachable attributes in the fall. At six feet tall, Maggie MacLeod has the height, while Courtney George possesses the power that coach Guy Desgagne hopes will help them become an integral part of his program in 2016-17.

“They’re definitely going to play and help right away,” Desgagne said. “They are going to be great additions to our program and I’m very excited to have these two coming here.”

And so he should.

George will add some powerful hitting from the left side while MacLeod, a middle and right side, can use her height to both make defensive blocks and get the upper hand while on the offensive side of the ball. Both players also have a ton of experience at high levels and both have a high volleyball IQ and know the right place to be and moves to make at the right time.

“You can’t teach those things,” Desgagne said. “They are both good players and understand the game very well.”

Both players will soon be graduates of Riverview Rural High School in Coxheath and played together for the varsity Reds for the past three seasons. In December they helped their team to a fifth-place finish in the Division 1 provincial championship. Both athletes also lined up together for the Highland Patriots U-18 club program, which finished second in the province in that circuit.

Desgagne found George and MacLeod through his connection with Patriots coach Maureen McNamara, who he has coached with in the past. After talking with her about both athletes, he watched them play several times, then contacted the girls and their families.

Dalhousie AC seemed like a perfect fit for both players. MacLeod, an 18-year-old Juniper Mountain resident, is enrolled in the school’s renowned pre-veterinary medicine program.

“It was the best fit for what I wanted to do,” she said.

George, a 17-year-old who hails from Albert Bridge, had plenty of post-secondary options as she looks to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree. But she decided on Dalhousie AC after touring the campus in March.

“I really liked it,” she said. “It seems like a great place to start and I’m really excited to have the opportunity to keep playing volleyball as well.”

Now Desgagne, who just completed his first season at the helm of the program, is looking forward to working with the pair as he continues to build his program over the next few seasons.

“They are ready for this next step,” he said.