May 31, 2022

CCAA Hall of Fame Inductee: Crystal (MacFarlane) Cernivz

Crystal (MacFarlane) Cernivz, a three-time Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Canadian, was inducted into the CCAA Hall of Fame in the Athlete Category.

Cernivz starred for the Women’s Volleyball team at St. Thomas University (STU) from 2000-04. She led the Tommies to four consecutive Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) titles.

After being named ACAA Rookie of the Year in 2001, she went on to earn ACAA Player of the Year honours the following three seasons. Cernivz was named a CCAA All-Canadian in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

“We are so pleased to see Crystal going into the CCAA Hall of Fame,” said Michael Eagles, Director of Athletics at St. Thomas University. “She had an incredible career here at STU and it’s so nice to see her recognized at the National level.”

Cernivz, a three-time St. Thomas University Athlete of the Year who was inducted into the STU Wall of Fame in 2015, has many fond memories of her time with the Tommies.

Atop the list is her first ACAA title, which came at the University of King’s College against a strong Université Sainte-Anne team.

The Dragons had served the Tommies their only losses that season and were clearly in their head, according to Cernivz. In the championship game, St. Thomas had dropped the first two sets and were trailing in the third.

“I remember telling myself that we weren’t going home without that banner and making a once in a lifetime dig – and the momentum shifted,” she said. “We got loud, we got aggressive, we never let up, we were all on fire – and we ended up winning in the fifth set.”

At that point in her volleyball career, Cernivz had never won a title – and after finally winning one, it left her and her teammates wanting more. Determined to repeat, they did.

The four consecutive Atlantic championships stand out for Cernivz as well as having equally talented, motivated and dedicated teammates. She also credits an amazing head coach – and fellow 2022 CCAA Hall of Fame inductee – Ed Welch, along with his incredible assistants, Dan McMorran and Amy Welch.

Another experience that stands out for Cernivz was an unfortunate incident at the 2002 CCAA Women’s Volleyball National Championship in Grande Prairie, AB.

During warmup, she badly hurt her pinky but didn’t want to disclose the injury. The Tommies came out strong against one of the top teams in the CCAA Championship and early in the contest, Cernivz remembers blocking a shot and feeling instantly sick to her stomach.

She ended up sitting out the rest of the match and having to go to emergency to have an x-ray.

“Turns out, I broke my finger in three places,” said Cernivz. “When I asked the doctor to wrap it so that I could play the next game, he casted me up to my elbow to make sure I couldn’t.”

Cernivz was told that if she played, she would need surgery and pins to put her finger back together.

“I remember walking into the gym with a hot pink cast, and the look on poor Ed’s face when he saw me was priceless,” she said.

Looking back now, Cernivz realizes how crucial her time in the ACAA and CCAA was for her development as a person – teaching her the value of friendship, teamwork, leadership skills, dedication and perseverance.

Being part of a team also brought Cernivz out of her shell.

“Once my sneakers hit the court, I transformed from the quiet shy girl, into a loud, aggressive, competitive, player,” she said. “These skills have stuck with me throughout my life, and I am so appreciative of my coaches, teammates and family that instilled and developed these values and skills in me.”

The 2022 CCAA Hall of Fame Banquet will take place on Tuesday, June 14 in Halifax, NS.