The 19-year-old native of Caledon, Ont. has, for the past two years, played Acadia women’s rugby in the fall and women’s basketball during the winter term.
That’s nothing new for Dondi, who was also a multi-sport performer in high school.
“I was one of those kids who was into all kinds of sports,” she says.
Although she was recruited to Acadia by Axewomen rugby coach Matt Durant, Dondi said she took up basketball first, when she was in Grade 8.
“I’ve played rugby since Grade 9. I was never as good at basketball as I was at rugby. I originally planned to play soccer (in high school), but a friend talked me into trying rugby. I found I loved it, and I still do,” she said.
Even now, she finds it hard to choose a favourite.
“I love them both, for different reasons, because they’re such different sports, and require different skills.”
At Acadia
Durant helped spark Dondi’s interest in Acadia.
“He got me interested in coming out here,” she said, and he also helped her pursue her other passion. After hearing she was also a basketball player, Durant put Dondi in contact with Axewomen basketball coach Bev Greenlaw.
“I wasn’t expecting to play university basketball. I didn’t think I was good enough, but Bev invited me to try out, and I ended up making the team. I was surprised,” she said.
Playing two varsity sports, even with seasons that don’t really overlap, is sometimes a challenge.
“I’m either at the gym, in classes or doing homework in my room,” she says. “My roommate doesn’t see much of me.”
Dondi is in her second year of study toward a B.Sc. in biology.
“I’m in the co-op program,” a course of study that includes outside work terms, “so I’ll be here five years in all.”
And, she added, she hopes to play sports throughout those years.
“I see no reason at all I shouldn’t be able to play both sports for all five years I’m here. I’m used to juggling my time. It’s been my whole life.”
On the field
The rugby Axewomen, with Dondi playing in the second row, ended up conference runners-up for a second straight year last fall. Dondi contributed three tries.
“I was absolutely happy with the year we had in rugby,” she said. “I wish we could have won, but we left everything on the field in the final (against St.F.X.).”
Moreover, Acadia should remain strong next season and beyond.
“In the backs, we only lose one starter, and we should have Maddie MacKenzie back (from injury),” she said.
“Among the forwards, we’re losing two or three starters, but coach always manages to bring in good people each year.”
The team, she said, has a lot of talent.
“We have 42 girls on the team and only 25 jerseys, so every practice is a competition,” she said. That means there are plenty of talented players, even on the second squad.
“It was nice this year, in that rugby ended, and I had all of reading week to practice basketball without school as a distraction. It’s a big transition.”
On the court
In basketball, the five-foot-nine Dondi is mainly a post player.
“Sometimes it’s a challenge, playing against taller opponents. Luckily, I have tall teammates who push me in practice,” she said.
Practice is very competitive, in both sports.
“Even in basketball, though the roster is smaller, it’s still competitive. You don’t want to be one of the ones who doesn’t get a jersey,” she said.
After a slow start, the basketball Axewomen have been a different team since Christmas, recently winning their first regular season game after 11 straight losses.
“Paloma (Anderson, who joined the team at Christmas) has certainly helped, with a really positive attitude and all kinds of energy.”
More than that, though, since Christmas, “We’ve all bought into what coach is trying to have us do. I think the basketball team has turned a corner.”
The Axewomen have really only had one bad game since Christmas, she said, with seven- and 10-point losses.
After a humbling loss in Cape Breton on Jan. 21 against Saint Mary’s, which hadn’t lost all season at the time, Acadia came within two points before losing by six. “They’re the top team in the league. If we can play with them, we can play with anyone.”
Looking ahead
Dondi is looking forward to the next three years.
“None of us are planning to go anywhere anytime soon,” she says. “I’m looking for good things, in both sports.”
Dondi said she is using the co-op option to test the waters in the biology field.
“You do three, four-month work terms. Three of them, you do in the summer. The other one is in term, which is why it often takes an extra year,” she said.
Dondi says she’s enjoying being at Acadia and has “absolutely no regrets” with her choice to come to Wolfville.
“My first choices were Queen’s and Guelph, and staying in Ontario, but my mom has always loved it out here.” After receiving her email from Durant, “Mom and I came out here and toured X, Dal and here. I loved Acadia the best.”
The 19-year-old native of Caledon, Ont. has, for the past two years, played Acadia women’s rugby in the fall and women’s basketball during the winter term.
That’s nothing new for Dondi, who was also a multi-sport performer in high school.
“I was one of those kids who was into all kinds of sports,” she says.
Although she was recruited to Acadia by Axewomen rugby coach Matt Durant, Dondi said she took up basketball first, when she was in Grade 8.
“I’ve played rugby since Grade 9. I was never as good at basketball as I was at rugby. I originally planned to play soccer (in high school), but a friend talked me into trying rugby. I found I loved it, and I still do,” she said.
Even now, she finds it hard to choose a favourite.
“I love them both, for different reasons, because they’re such different sports, and require different skills.”
At Acadia
Durant helped spark Dondi’s interest in Acadia.
“He got me interested in coming out here,” she said, and he also helped her pursue her other passion. After hearing she was also a basketball player, Durant put Dondi in contact with Axewomen basketball coach Bev Greenlaw.
“I wasn’t expecting to play university basketball. I didn’t think I was good enough, but Bev invited me to try out, and I ended up making the team. I was surprised,” she said.
Playing two varsity sports, even with seasons that don’t really overlap, is sometimes a challenge.
“I’m either at the gym, in classes or doing homework in my room,” she says. “My roommate doesn’t see much of me.”
Dondi is in her second year of study toward a B.Sc. in biology.
“I’m in the co-op program,” a course of study that includes outside work terms, “so I’ll be here five years in all.”
And, she added, she hopes to play sports throughout those years.
“I see no reason at all I shouldn’t be able to play both sports for all five years I’m here. I’m used to juggling my time. It’s been my whole life.”
On the field
The rugby Axewomen, with Dondi playing in the second row, ended up conference runners-up for a second straight year last fall. Dondi contributed three tries.
“I was absolutely happy with the year we had in rugby,” she said. “I wish we could have won, but we left everything on the field in the final (against St.F.X.).”
Moreover, Acadia should remain strong next season and beyond.
“In the backs, we only lose one starter, and we should have Maddie MacKenzie back (from injury),” she said.
“Among the forwards, we’re losing two or three starters, but coach always manages to bring in good people each year.”
The team, she said, has a lot of talent.
“We have 42 girls on the team and only 25 jerseys, so every practice is a competition,” she said. That means there are plenty of talented players, even on the second squad.
“It was nice this year, in that rugby ended, and I had all of reading week to practice basketball without school as a distraction. It’s a big transition.”
On the court
In basketball, the five-foot-nine Dondi is mainly a post player.
“Sometimes it’s a challenge, playing against taller opponents. Luckily, I have tall teammates who push me in practice,” she said.
Practice is very competitive, in both sports.
“Even in basketball, though the roster is smaller, it’s still competitive. You don’t want to be one of the ones who doesn’t get a jersey,” she said.
After a slow start, the basketball Axewomen have been a different team since Christmas, recently winning their first regular season game after 11 straight losses.
“Paloma (Anderson, who joined the team at Christmas) has certainly helped, with a really positive attitude and all kinds of energy.”
More than that, though, since Christmas, “We’ve all bought into what coach is trying to have us do. I think the basketball team has turned a corner.”
The Axewomen have really only had one bad game since Christmas, she said, with seven- and 10-point losses.
After a humbling loss in Cape Breton on Jan. 21 against Saint Mary’s, which hadn’t lost all season at the time, Acadia came within two points before losing by six. “They’re the top team in the league. If we can play with them, we can play with anyone.”
Looking ahead
Dondi is looking forward to the next three years.
“None of us are planning to go anywhere anytime soon,” she says. “I’m looking for good things, in both sports.”
Dondi said she is using the co-op option to test the waters in the biology field.
“You do three, four-month work terms. Three of them, you do in the summer. The other one is in term, which is why it often takes an extra year,” she said.
Dondi says she’s enjoying being at Acadia and has “absolutely no regrets” with her choice to come to Wolfville.
“My first choices were Queen’s and Guelph, and staying in Ontario, but my mom has always loved it out here.” After receiving her email from Durant, “Mom and I came out here and toured X, Dal and here. I loved Acadia the best.”
