PRESEASON PREVIEW (Men’s Volleyball)
NEW WESTMINSTER, BC – The 2014-15 Canada West men's volleyball season opens on Thursday, October 9 when Calgary visits Manitoba, live on CanadaWest.TV.
According to the preseason coaches' poll, the defending CIS and Canada West champion Alberta Golden Bears are once again the team to beat.
Here's a preview of what to expect from the defending champions and the 12 other squads aiming for their crown.
PREVIEWS:
University of Alberta Golden Bears
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 1st
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: 1st
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: 1st
2013-14 CW Record: 15-7
Last CIS Title: 2014
Last CW Title: 2014
Key returnees: Brett Walsh, Ryley Barnes, John Goranson, Ryan Nickifor, Taylor Arnett, Chris Morrow, Kevin Proudfoot, Reed May
Key additions: Chris Jones, Alex McMullin, Chris Towe
Key departures: Jay Olmstead, Jarron Mueller, Matt McCreary
EDMONTON – The University of Alberta Golden Bears volleyball team heads into the 2014-15 season as the defending Canada West and CIS champions. Head Coach Terry Danyluk, now in his 22nd year as the bench boss at Alberta, has some key returning starters from last year's championship squads, but also some important holes to fill.
Last season Alberta compiled a 15-7 record at the conclusion of the conference season, which left them tied with UBC for second place, but ultimately in third place, due to the T-Birds holding the tiebreaker. Once the playoffs began, however, the Bears were nearly unstoppable. The Evergreen and Gold first swept the Calgary Dinos, in straight sets, at home in Edmonton in a quarterfinal series, and then defeated Thompson Rivers and first place Trinity Western, also both in straight sets, to capture the Canada West crown. At the national championship tournament, Alberta defeated Montreal (3-0), Laval (3-1) and Western (3-0) to win the program's seventh Tantramar Trophy, and first since 2009. The Golden Bears lost just one set in the playoffs last year, and placed two players on the CIS tournament all-star team, Ryley Barnes and Brett Walsh, while Barnes was named the championship tournament MVP.
Gone from that team is Jay Olmstead, the MVP of the CIS gold medal match, former starting setter Jarron Mueller, all-star middle Matt McCreary and left-side Tucker Leinweber. Mueller and Olmstead are both now training with Canada's national team, along with former Bears Tristan Aubry, Dallas Soonias and Mike DeRocco.
Danyluk, however, still has a number of returning players including Barnes, Walsh, left-side Ryan Nickifor, middle John Goranson, libero Reed May, right-side Kevin Proudfoot and middles Taylor Arnett and Chris Morrow.
Joining the Bears for the title defence are left-side Chris Jones, a fourth-year transfer from Red Deer College, left-side Alex McMullin, a rookie from Brisbane, Australia, left-side Chris Towe, who hails from Caledon, Ontario, as well as Brandon Sutherland, setter Ian Cooper, Aidan Saladana and local products Michael Goertz, George Hobern, Cole Buckart, and Clark Spencer.
The Golden Bears open the regular season at home, and will raise their seventh CIS championship banner, over the October 10-11 weekend when they host the UBCO Heat at the Saville Community Sports Centre.
Brandon University Bobcats
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 4th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: Lost in Final Four
2013-14 CW Record: 10-12
Last CIS Title: N/A
Last CW Title: N/A
Key returnees: Roy Ching, Jeremy Davies, Frank Jones, Sam Tuivai, Sebastien Steigmeier, David Stasica, Brendan White
Key additions: Daven Pascal, Bruce Akubukaka, Brady Nault
Key departures: Dan Boutwell
BRANDON – The 2014-15 edition of the Brandon Bobcats are coming off a roller coaster of a season last year highlighted by significant injuries, and extreme highs and lows.
Key starters Frank Jones (fractured pinky finger) and Sebastien Steigmeier (knee) suffered severe injuries that forced both to miss considerable time. The instability in the starting lineup caused the 'Cats to start the second half of the season with five straight losses.
On top of that, the 'Cats waited until the final weekend of the year to pick up their first road victory of the season. That pushed their record to 10-12, and squeezed them into the playoffs thanks to a tie-breaker. Once in the playoffs, the Bobcats stormed out of the gate by sweeping the UBC Thunderbirds in Vancouver before bowing out in the Canada West Final Four.
This year's squad features the majority of last year's starters, aside from team captain and Canada West all-star Dan Boutwell.
Powerful hitters, experienced middles, and options at setter should be the focus this season. Add to that a trio of first year players who bring provincial team experience, and this season promises to be an exciting one for Brandon.
Former all-Canadian Sam Tuivai and towering Swiss import Steigmeier are expected to shoulder a lot of the offense this season. Setting will be David Stasica, while Jones and team captain Brendan White are both entering their fifth-year at middle. Jeremy Davies will return at libero, while utility man Roy Ching will likely see time at just about every position on the floor.
Freshman Bruce Akubukaka, Brady Nault, and Daven Pascal have all played in the pre-season for BU and have not looked out of place in doing so.
The Bobcats started the pre-season by capturing their host tournament title with wins over the University of New Brunswick, the University of Winnipeg and Medicine Hat College.
The 2014-15 Canada West season officially gets underway on October 10 as the Bobcats travel to Calgary to play the Mount Royal Cougars.
UBC Thunderbirds
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 3rd
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: Lost in quarterfinals
2013-14 CW Record: 15-7
Last CIS Title: 1983
Last CW Title: 1984
Key returnees: Jarrid Ireland, Milan Nikic, Alex Russell, Ian Perry, Chris Howe, Ben Chow, Quentin Schmidt
Key additions: Byron Keturakis, Jacob Smith
Key departures: Parker Jobin, Austin Hinchey, Gabriel Aaron, Noah Derksen
VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds have a deep and balanced lineup of players ready to challenge for the CIS championship in 2014-15.
The T-BIrds finished 15-7 for the second consecutive year last season. That was good enough for second place in the Canada West regular season standings but the team lost two heartbreaking five-set matches to defending league champions Brandon in the quarterfinals.
UBC led the conference in assists and kills; the team was also second in digs and hitting percentage.
All but three players from last year's squad are back, including every starter. In addition to that, star outside hitter Jarrid Ireland, who saw limited playing time last year because of injury, is healthy for the current season.
Other outside hitters include First Team All-Canadian Ben Chow, who was sixth in the league in kills (3.74) and points per set (4.23), and Quentin Schmidt, second on the team in kills last year and one of three players entering their fifth and final season of eligibility.
Talented youngsters Mac McNicol, Irvan Brar, Mat Guidi and Will Dichuk are joined by rookie recruits Jacob Smith and Nick Hughes. Smith was rated the fifth-best graduating high school player in B.C. last season. Jack Newman is another addition to UBC at outside hitter. He previously played at College of the Rockies in Cranbrook, B.C.
Down the middle, UBC is again solid with Alex Russell and Chris Howe, who were second and 10th in hitting percentage in the Canada West, respectively. Joel Regehr was named to Canada's Junior National Team this past summer. Connor MacCuspie joined the team as a new recruit.
Ian Perry is the team's libero while Second Team All-Canadian Milan Nikic will handle the setting duties. Nikic will also serve as mentor to new recruit Byron Keturakis, a 6-foot-7 player who was named the best setter among B.C.'s 2014 class of graduating high school players.
The Thunderbirds will open the season on the road at MacEwan October 10-11 before hosting their home openers October 17-18 against Mount Royal.
UBC Okanagan Heat
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 11th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Record: 4-18
Last CIS Title: N/A
Last CW Title: N/A
Key returnees: Kristof Schlagintweit, Jim Bell, Joshua Harvey, Lars Bornemann, Alex Swiatlowski, Kyle Pankratz
Key additions: Ethan Freund, Nick Schmidt, Leo Schober, Adam Kern, Tanner March, Micah Brown
Key departures: Nate Speijer, Davis Proch
KELOWNA – This year's version of the UBC Okanagan Heat men's volleyball team will look to make an identity for themselves. No longer in the large shadow cast by Nate Speijer, the outside hitter who holds nearly every record at the school graduated last June and with him, so did the last of the players from the team's run in the CCAA.
Head coach Greg Poitras now has a full roster of players recruited for the battles of Canada West, and now many of his key players have logged a lot of sets and will be looked for leadership, and more importantly looked upon to replace the many points Speijer took with him upon graduation.
The person on the court in charge of orchestrating the offense will be setter Kristof Schlaghintweit. The third year player from Abbottsford was a highly touted recruit out of high school and has been the starter for over 60 Canada West matches.
Kristof was recruited at the same time as middle Jim Bell and 6-8 outside hitter Alex Swiatolowski, both junior players who are likely be the main beneficiaries of the missing 876 attacks and 371 kills that the loss of Speijer means to the team.
Last season, Bell had 80 total blocks and 122 kills, which placed him third in the team. Swiatlowski put down 101 kills (fifth on the team), trailing fourth year right side Kyle Pankratz's 122.
Most likely to pick up the most sets from Schlagintweit will be 2014 Canada West Rookie team member, Lars Bornemann. The outside hitter from Victoria, who was second on the team in kills with 148, will need to become more precise with his attacks now that Speijer isn't drawing double and triple blocks anymore.
A fourth year transfer from Camosun, Kelowna native Tanner March also plays on the outside and has been impressive in the preseason for the Heat. He's been adept at finding ways to score and has stepped into a leadership role with his new squad.
Two other second year players, middle Chris Wilson and outside hitter Kris McCrae, will have ample opportunity to play if they can find ways to score and contribute with strong defense.
Defense in the libero position will once again be handled by fourth year Jeremy Fostvelt, who has started for nearly his entire four years with the program.
Defensively, in the middle, to go with Jim Bell and Chris Wilson, will be Leo Schober and Joshua Harvey as well as freshman Adam Kern. Schober redshirted last season due to an injury and Harvey has shown flashes of dominance in his two years with the team. Rookie Adam Kern, a local athlete out of Mount Boucherie Secondary, is extremely athletic and will be one to keep an eye on.
This year's version will have to hope it finds its identity quickly as their first conference action is against the defending national champion, the Alberta Golden Bears this Friday, October 10, in Edmonton, AB.
University of Calgary Dinos
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 8th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: Lost in quarterfinals
2013-14 CW Record: 11-11
Last CIS Title: 2010
Last CW Title: 2011
Key returnees: Sean Tuff, Connor Frehlich, Jackson Maris, Alex Cook, Keith West
Key additions: Braden O'Toole, Parker Maris, Derek Meeuwisse, Reed carter, Mitch Higgin
Key departures: Greg Mann, Andrew Visser, Darcee Froese, Travis Banks, Will Young
CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos men's volleyball team will hope to return to the playoffs this season and make an impact.
Head coach Rod Durrant enters his ninth season with the Dinos and realizes the expectations playing in this conference.
"This team has high expectations for themselves on and off the court. They understand what it will take to play in a tough Canada West league. The goal is to train hard, prepare the same for each opponent and compete every weekend."
Last year, the Dinos finished the regular season with a .500 record with 11 wins and 11 loses, but were unable to get past the first round of playoffs when they lost 2-0 to the eventual CIS Champions, the Alberta Golden Bears.
A number of key athletes returning to the team include outside hitters Connor Frehlich and Keith West. West enters just his second season with Calgary, while Frehlich is among a group of talented veterans. Other fourth- and fifth-years ready to help the Dinos succeed include setter Jackson Maris and middle Sean Tuff. Alex Cook, the team's alternate setter, split time with Maris last season.
"We have a great leadership group with a good mix of youth this year. The team is excited to get the regular season started."
Speaking of a good mix of youth, this group includes a number of players that have won championships at other levels. Braden O'Toole and Parker Maris are both 2014 CCAA National Champions who transferred from Red Deer College. During their time there, O'Toole was voted MVP while Maris was the starting libero.
Derek Meeuwisse, Reed Carter and Mitch Higgin join the ranks as members of the Dinos U18 national championship team.
Calgary hosted the 2013 CIS Men's Volleyball Championship and will hope to return this year. This season, the Saskatchewan Huskies will host at the end of February.
The Dinos begin their season against the Manitoba Bisons on the road before heading home to host the Thompson Rivers WolfPack in their home opener, October 17-18 at Jack Simpson Gym.
MacEwan University Griffins
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 13th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Record: N/A
Last CIS Title: N/A
Last CW Title: N/A
Key returnees: Marcus Ernewein, Zach Brown, Matt Mohler
Key additions: Jonah Gillan, Brady Atwood
Key departures: Tyler Lundgren
EDMONTON – The 2014-15 season marks a very important one for the MacEwan University Griffins men's volleyball program as they take their first swings in the Canada West. Coming off a very strong ACAC season that saw them win silver at conference championship and hold a #2 ranking in the CCAA national polls for the majority of the season, MacEwan University will now make the very large jump into the CIS.
The Griffins return 10 players from last season's team including standouts Marcus Ernewein and Zach Brown. Marcus was a first-team ACAC All-Star and CCAA All-Canadian after leading the ACAC in kills. Zach Brown joined Marcus on the ACAC first All-Star team, finishing third in the ACAC in kills.
Joining these returners are four transfer athletes including Jonah Gilham, a middle from the 2013-14 national champion Red Deer College Kings, and Brady Atwood, a right side attacker from College of the Rockies whose physicality and athleticism make it possible for him to be a contributor at the university level.
The Canada West has traditionally been the strongest conference in men's volleyball in the CIS and thus every weekend will be a battle and a learning opportunity for the Griffins men's program. The level of size and physicality of the athletes in Canada West will provide difficult matchup opportunities throughout the season. The Griffins men's volleyball athletes and coaches are excited about this new opportunity.
The Griffins open their conference play at home on October 10 and 11 against the UBC Thunderbirds.
University of Manitoba Bisons
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 9th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Record: 10-12
Last CIS Title: 2003
Last CW Title: 2003
Key returnees: Kenny Rooney, Kevin Falconer, Adam DeJonckheere, Luke Herr, Josh Crellin, Devren Dear, Alex Strachan
Key additions: None
Key departures: None
WINNIPEG – The Manitoba Bisons men's volleyball team returns the entire starting seven back for another season as well as the return of head coach Garth Pischke, after a year of absence.
Last season, the team made numerous improvements and lost several close matches while defeating several ranked teams before just missing the playoffs.
Pischke did not alter the core as he is excited about their growth throughout the 2012-13 season and believes they deserve another shot to reach another level in 2014-15. Pischke, who enters his 33rd year at the helm of Manitoba, would love for this team to host the playoffs and is energized to be back with the U of M program to see where this team can progress during the tough Canada West schedule.
The returning seven are still young and include middle player and co-captain Kenny Rooney (2012-13 Canada West Rookie of the Year), left side and co-captain Adam DeJonckheere (2013-14 Canada West All-Rookie Team) plus left-side and co-captain Kevin Falconer. In addition, setter Luke Herr, middle Josh Crellin, right side Devren Dear and libero Alex Strachan are all back and six of the seven starters are just in their third year while DeJonckheere only starts his second year.
Manitoba needs the whole unit to play well as there is not a 'superstar' on the squad. Pischke is very impressed by the supportive atmosphere and positive attitude displayed by the roster during training camp and pre-season. He feels their speed and combination of power from the outside hitters will be strengths of this improving team.
In addition, this year will mark a momentous achievement for Pischke. He nears the all-time record for most overall wins by a men's volleyball coach. UCLA legend Al Cates completed his 50-year career with a 1,239-290 (.812) record - which ranks first among all Division I volleyball coaches. Pischke begins the Canada West conference season with an overall record of 1237-335 and should break this incredible record early this season.
The Bisons have grown over the last couple seasons and are ready to compete for a top playoff spot in another highly competitive conference.
Mount Royal University Cougars
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 10th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Record: 10-12
Last CIS Title: N/A
Last CW Title: N/A
Key returnees: Riley Friesen, Jordan Or, Jordan Parkin, Grigor Kartev
Key additions: Quinn Bromley, Tanner Greves, Tyler Schmidt, Andrew McWilliam
Key departures: Colton de Man, Jordan Lantz, Trevor Langvand
CALGARY – A new era will begin for the men's volleyball team in 2014-15. The Cougars will field a squad with only a handful of players in their fourth or fifth year. Last season, coach Shawn Sky relied very heavily on his upperclassmen; this year he will have to get the most out of his highly touted recruiting class.
Mount Royal graduated three of their starting six from last season, one of which being the most decorated athlete in the program's history. Last year, star hitter Colton de Man played his final game for the blue and white. The three-time Mount Royal Male Athlete of the Year was the heart of the team and will be nearly impossible to replace. Fellow fifth year graduates Trevor Langvand and Jordan Lantz also logged a substantial amount of playing time beside de Man and will be sorely missed.
The remaining three starters will be instantly thrust into a leadership role with the departure of the aforementioned fifth years. Heading into his final season is Jordan Or, the reigning Canada West Libero of the Year. Or will be flanked by fourth year hitters Jordan Parkin and Grigor Kartev. The most intriguing player on the Cougars this season is second year, outside hitter Riley Friesen. Friesen was the Cougar's Male Rookie of the Year last season and was named to the Canada West All-Rookie team. If the Cougars are to have success this season, Friesen will have to step up and assume a leadership role.
Coach Sky knew he would be losing his veteran core so he went out and recruited a collection of high-end rookies and veterans from the college ranks. Coming over from Douglas College is fifth year outside Andrew McWilliam. Sam Brisbane, Lachie Pollock and Lachlan Polson are also coming to the Cougars from other post-secondary programs. Quinn Bromley, Tanner Greves and Tyler Schmidt were all teammates together with the Canuck Dinos. The trio made headlines last season, winning a national championship at the club level.
Mount Royal will open the season on with a two game home stand against Brandon on October 10 at 7:30 pm at Kenyon Court.
University of Regina Cougars
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 12th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Record: 4-18
Last CIS Title: N/A
Last CW Title: N/A
Key returnees: Jacques Borgeaud, Steve Carston, Matthew Lueck
Key additions: Michael Corrigan
Key departures: Caleb Eschbach, Andrew Nelson, Rhodri Simmonds
REGINA – The University of Regina's men's volleyball team will have a fresh look this year after turning over a significant portion of its roster in the offseason, but the Cougars will still return some quality talent for the 2014-15 season.
Leading the group of returners is libero Jacques Borgeaud, who after three seasons is just 48 digs away from surpassing Christopher Knoop as the school's all-time leader in digs. One of only three Cougars to appear in all 79 sets last season, Borgeaud collected 178 digs and finished seventh in the conference with an average of 2.25 digs.
The Cougars must replace the contributions of five-year setter Caleb Eschbach, right side Andrew Nelson, and middle Rhodri Simmonds. Second-year setter Alex Cassels is the team's only returning setter and saw action in 11 of the team's 22 Canada West matches this year, though eighth-year head coach Greg Barthel expects rookie Michael Corrigan (Winnipeg, Man. / Garden City Collegiate) to challenge Cassels for the starting job.
With Nelson gone, look for fourth-year veteran Matthew Lueck to see an even greater role in the team's offence this season after finishing third on the team with 125 kills last year. At middle blocker, Simmonds is gone but fellow Australian middle Brad Millers got acquainted with the team in the second semester last season and should team up with fifth-year Steve Carston.
Outside hitter Andre Borgeaud - who, along with Carston, Lueck, and his brother Jacques are the only players past their third year of eligibility - features a heavy serve and will also play an important role for the Cougars. The team opens Canada West play on the road against Manitoba on October 17-18.
University of Saskatchewan Huskies
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 5th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: Lost in quarterfinals
2013-14 CW Record: 11-11
Last CIS Title: 2004
Last CW Title: 2004
Key returnees: Paul Thomson, Matthew Busse, Zak Rempel, Tyler Epp, Robert Graham
Key additions: Colin Fraser, Troy Wiebe, Etienne Hagenbach
Key departures: Braden McLean, Bryan Fraser
SASKATOON – Entering the 2014-15 season as hosts of the CIS Men's Volleyball Championship, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies know it will compete on the national stage. However, the Huskies expect to be a contender once again for the Canada West crown and earn their spot into the CIS Championship.
Saskatchewan finished fifth in the conference standings with an 11-11 record in 2013-14 and lost in heart-breaking extra points in the fifth-set of match three in the Canada West quarterfinals to the Thompson Rivers WolfPack.
"Our program made great strides over the past few years and we hope to build on that success," said Huskie head coach Brian Gavlas, who enters his 22nd season at the helm. "We are in an extremely difficult conference competing against the best teams in the country every weekend. We need to take that next step into the Canada West Final Four. Competing in the Canada West playoffs is the ultimate preparation as hosts of the national championship this year."
Saskatchewan returns an experienced duo of fifth-years on the outside, as well as steady middle blockers for 2014-15. Paul Thomson and Matthew Busse will look to take over the offensive power left by graduating players Bryan Fraser and Braden McLean. Thomson, a left side, tallied a team-high 290 kills last season and added 189 digs. Busse, who returns to the CIS lineup after a one-year hiatus, has tallied 726 kills in his four previous seasons with the Huskies. Third-year middle blocker Tyler Epp finished 2013-14 third among hitting percentage in the conference at .443 and fellow middle blocker Robert Graham added 25 blocks and 15 service aces.
Also returning to the team is setter Zak Rempel and outside hitter Jordan Nowakowski.
The Huskies added a considerably strong recruiting class. Following in his brother's footsteps is left side Colin Fraser, younger brother to two-time Canada West All-Star Bryan Fraser. Also joining the squad is college-transfer setter Troy Wiebe and Swiss libero Etienne Hagenbuch.
The Huskies open their season on October 10-11 on the road against the Winnipeg Wesmen.
Thompson Rivers University WolfPack
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 7th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: 3rd
2013-14 CW Record: 13-9
Last CIS Title: N/A
Last CW Title: N/A
Key returnees: Brad Gunter, Casey Knight, Matt Krueger, Stuart Richey
Key additions: Brandon Hewwing, Denham O'Reilly, Issac Smit
Key departures: Colin Carson, Jacob Tricarico
KAMLOOPS – If there is a team in the Canada West whose time has come, it has to be the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack, whose core has been together for the last three years. Led by Canada West and CIS Player of the Year Brad Gunter, the WolfPack are poised to improve upon their bronze medal win at last year's Canada West Final Four. Gunter is coming off playing with the Canadian Senior Men's B team this past summer.
Gunter and Casey Knight lead a multi-pronged offense. Breakout years are expected from middles Jordan Foot (2nd year, Prince George, BC) and Daniel Eikland Rod (3rd year, Oz, Norway). Foot was an all-star at the NTCC U-18 championships.
Graham Stoliker (4th year, Surrey, BC) is poised to take over from Canada West all-star and Dale Iwanoczko Award winner Colin Carson at setter.
WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly is poised to turn over the core of the squad over the next couple of years and has recruited seven rookies – most of whom have played together for the last several summers in the Team BC program.
The WolfPack open conference play on the road on October 10 at Trinity Western.
Trinity Western University Spartans
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 2nd
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: 5th
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: 2nd
2013-14 CW Record: 20-2
Last CIS Title: 2012
Last CW Title: 2012
Key returnees: Nick Del Bianco, Tyler Koslowsky, Branden Schmidt, Adam Schriemer, Ryan Sclater
Key additions: Carter Bergen
Key departures: Brad Kufske, Derek Thiessen, Lucas Van Berkel
LANGLEY – Not unlike the better part of the last decade, the Trinity Western men's volleyball team will enter the season as serious contenders with serious talent set to make a serious run at another CIS national championship. There are certainly still questions about this year's team, but if the past tells us anything, it's that Ben Josephson's squads are always in the mix, and at the end of the year, who knows what might happen.
The Spartans open the season this weekend when they host Thompson Rivers Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Langley Events Centre. Both games can be seen live on www.canadawest.tv.
In the preseason, TWU went 6-1, which included a pair of games with university sides in China. The Spartans' only loss of the preseason came against TRU.
Prior to the 2012-13 campaign, the Spartans had medaled at every CIS national championship they had attended. That changed in 2013 when they finished sixth and then again in 2014 when they finished fifth.
Both of those results are no doubt firmly entrenched in the team's collective mind as the Spartans open the 2014-15 season this weekend with sights once again set on a national title.
While the Spartans certainly have a few holes to fill – the biggest of which is in the middle, where TWU needs to replace CIS First Team All-Canadian Lucas Van Berkel – but with a healthy mix of veterans and young talent, this year's team is once again setting up to be a force in Canada West.
Quarterbacking the team will be second-year setter and Canada West and CIS Rookie of the Year Adam Schriemer (Winnipeg). After a fantastic first year with the Spartans, Schriemer will look to take the next step forward in his progression and continue to build an offence that led the conference in hitting percentage last year at .313. Third-year Scott Plocktis (Kelowna, B.C.) has had an impressive preseason and he will push Schriemer for floor time and could certainly get a few starts over the course of the campaign.
On the outside, while the Spartans are tasked with replacing the likes of the graduated Brad Kufske and Derek Thiessen, the talent waiting in the wings appears set to take over. Ryan Sclater (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) was one of the best Spartans at times last year and he'll be a full-time player this year on the outside after splitting time with Thiessen last season. Meanwhile, second-year Blake Scheerhoorn (Belleville, Ont.) also looks in form and set to take over a starting spot.
The mainstay on the outside is Nick Del Bianco (Surrey, B.C.). The fifth-year will be one of the leaders of this team and will be the Spartans go-to player in pressure situations. Expect great things from him in his final year at the university level.
There's no doubt, the loss of Van Berkel, who was arguably the best middle in TWU history, will be felt. But with Branden Schmidt (De Winton, Alta.) back for his fifth year, Danny Grant (Chetwynd, B.C.) moving into a starting role and Levi Wolthius (Edmonton) quickly developing, the Spartans, who averaged a conference-high 2.80 blocks/set last year, will once again be strong down the middle.
Defensively, fourth-year Tyler Koslowsky (Abbotsford, B.C.) will be a pillar of strength and leadership for this team. Last year, he was third in the conference in digs with 2.56/set and that number will likely only go up this year. Both Carter Bergen (Winnipeg) and Mark Antoniuk (Langley) have looked strong in preseason but they will have to unseat Koslowsky for floor time and the Abbotsford product has been one of the best Spartans this year.
Ultimately, for the Spartans, this year is a bit of a question mark as to how things will play out, but, as has been the case for many years, anything less than a top four finish in Canada West would be something of a surprise.
This isn't necessarily a team that is going to run the table, but, as per usual these days at TWU, the men's volleyball team is going to be good and at the end of the year, it'll likely be right there competing for hardware.
University of Winnipeg Wesmen
CW Preseason Coaches' Poll Ranking: 6th
2013-14 CIS Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Tournament Placing: N/A
2013-14 CW Record: 9-13
Last CIS Title: 2007
Last CW Title: N/A
Key returnees: Casey Schouten, Josh McKay, Riley Delavau, Tom Douglas-Powell, Matthew Dueck, David Bommersbach
Key additions: Brendan Black, Evan Alexander, Garrett Jones, Taylor Howe
Key departures: Matthew Stubler, Matthew Schriemer
WINNIPEG – Head coach Larry McKay, entering his 26th season at the helm of the University of Winnipeg Wesmen Men's Volleyball program, will have a wide range of players with different playing experiences to choose from this season.
Fifth year outside hitter Thomas Douglas-Powell will look to match or improve on a successful 2013-2014 season where he was named a Canada West All-Star.
Fourth year setter Joshua McKay will be the starting setter and will quarterback the Wesmen attack. Third year Casey Schouten has shown improvement each year and this year will be relied on heavily to provide strong offensive and defensive play at the outside position. Middle blockers Matthew Dueck and Brendan Black, both entering their fourth campaigns lend experience on and off the court. Dustin Ross and Riley Delavau are entering their fourth years and both are capable of playing a variety of positions.
David Bommersbach, named to the Canada West All-Rookie team last year is a year older and will be looked upon to provide more this season. Michael Bommersbach a third year setter will backup McKay. Nick Jacobson, Nolan Parrington and Logan Brennan are all back for their second year.
Jaden Prive, Brendan Thielmann, Adrian Dyck, Taylor Howe, Garrett Jones, Evan Alexander, Ben Theriault and Ryan Bisignano are all entering their first campaigns with the Wesmen.