Rising Fast: Abby Guezen’s journey from the Pandas Volleyball to the World Stage

Third-year Panda spent summer competing with Canadian Senior National Team

By Francine Dela Paz

From high school tournaments to the world stage in three years, Abby Guezen has been on quite the rise. After two strong seasons with Pandas Volleyball, Guezen spent the summer competing with the Canadian Senior National Team.

“It definitely was a goal of mine [to get into the National Team],” remarked Guezen, who was named both the Canada West and U SPORTS Rookie of the Year in 2024. “Going to tryouts and just getting the opportunity to play with the senior girls, I felt this sense of, ‘this is where I want to be.’ I just pushed right away and that first month we were still trying out. And then I was on the team and it was like a dream come true.”

Guezen spent her summer competing with Team Canada in Volleyball Nations League, which took place over the course of three weeks in Ottawa, Canada; Istanbul, Türkiye; and Arlington, USA, followed by the Women’s World Championship in Thailand. When she was not travelling, she trained at the Richmond Olympic Oval in Vancouver five days a week, lifting weights and building camaraderie with her teammates.

From her passing abilities to her competitive spirit, Guezen was able to showcase what she had
to offer at the international level. Despite her younger age, Guezen was determined to show her abilities, which Pandas volleyball head coach and Senior National Team assistant coach Carolyn O’Dwyer, can attest to.

“When she got opportunities to play, just going out and being fearless in some situations, even though it's like, ‘okay, I'm playing [with] people I grew up watching play volleyball, but now it's my chance to show where I'm at’ and not letting her age be a factor as much as she could have let it be.”

Carolyn O'Dwyer

Guezen found O’Dwyer’s guidance to be beneficial during her time with Team Canada, especially since she was accustomed to O’Dwyer’s coaching style. “I always say to people that I spend the most time with Carolyn in a year than I do anyone else, we're together year-round,” said Guezen.

Moreover, Guezen credits O’Dwyer for helping her refine her skills and being able to play for the Senior National Team at just 19 years old. “With the Pandas last year, one of the main things that Carolyn helped work with me on was my passing and solidifying that part of the game. I would say one of the reasons why I made the senior team was because I could pass and I give a lot of credit to Carolyn for having taught me that.”

Guezen’s experience on the Senior National Team allowed her to get a glimpse of her future as an athlete. Not only did the past summer further her love for volleyball, but it also strengthened her determination for a career at the professional level, and glimpse what the highest level of the sport looks like.

Now that Guezen is back with the Pandas for the 2025/26 season, she is holding herself to a higher standard. She is entering the season with the mindset that improvement is beneficial, rather than being pressured to show the best she could be.

Even simple things — like watching game tape or how to analyze the opponent — are some of the advice she hopes to share with her Pandas teammates this season, who once again have national championship aspirations. Additionally, she highlights how important leadership is for her, and to model the same leadership she acquired from her senior teammates towards the younger Pandas.

“I think there was huge growth, both physically, technically, and even just how she sees the game tactics and kind of all those pieces. I think she's been more of a leader on the team and there's been some personal growth as well. We're seeing it translate into our gym, which is the height she’s playing at, the power she's attacking the ball with and maybe some of the more complicated tactics of that kind of next level. The kind of height that Abby's playing the game right now is pretty cool to see. When she's at her best, it's pretty hard to stop her right now.”

Carolyn O'Dwyer

With the Pandas being the reigning Canada West champions and ranking #1 in U SPORTS, Guezen’s experience playing for the Senior National Team is guaranteed to be an advantage, as her competitive drive, newfound leadership, and tactical play strategies she learned from her senior teammates have created her to be a force on the court.