EDMONTON - The CIS championship will be hosted by the Thompson Rivers WolfPack, March 12-14, 2010 in Kamloops, B.C. TRU will be joined by three other Canada West qualifiers for the event. The last time a non-Canada West school won the event was in 1994, when Laval claimed gold. Since then, five different CWUAA schools have combined to win 15 straight titles.
The Alberta Golden Bears are two-time defending CIS and Canada West champions, but this year’s squad will be a different team. Numerous veteran players either graduated from the program or moved on. Fifth-years Thomas Jarmoc and Second Team All-Star Mike DeRocco will be leaders this year, with veterans Spencer Leiske and Justin Merta among the other key players returning. Craig Proudfoot and Kurt Kleinfeldt are back after a one-year absence from the team.
After playoff disappointment in 08-09, the Calgary Dinos appear poised and ready for new challenges and a better fate. Back are All-Canadian Omar Langford, All-Star Ciaran McGovern, middle Oleg Podporin and Graham Vigrass. A new talent transferring from Mount Royal is Junior National team setter Jay Blankenau.
The Trinity Western Spartans are perennial contenders for a conference and national title. The 2006 national champions and 2007 conference champions had a rebuilt roster last season and narrowly missed qualifying for Nationals. Middles Josh Doornenbal, Rudy Verhoeff and Dan Jansen Van Doorn are all talented players. Offensive quarterback, setter Ben Ball, provides leadership in only his third-year of eligibility. Outside hitters Marc Howatson and Paul Lindemulder provide a spark on offence.
As host of the big event, All-Star Gord Perrin and fellow outside hitter Robin Schoebel know that they and the Thompson Rivers WolfPack will be at Nationals, but every host wants to qualify through the front door and, in this case, gun for the school’s first CIS championship. Missing will be CIS All-Rookie Josh Boruck, but solid veteran players, such as senior Behlul Yavasgel and libero Kyle Donen, combined with a list of new, talented transfers or recruits make the WolfPack a contender entering the season.
Two years ago the Brandon Bobcats were 4-14. Last year 10-8, but no playoff run. In 2008-09 they went 10-8, took bronze at the conference level and grabbed third again at the CIS championship. Head coach Russ Paddock and his crew have come a long way in two years, but there will be a large gap to fill with Joel Small choosing to remain with the National program. CIS First Team All-Canadian Paul Sanderson is the clear leader, with fifth-year left side Riley Phillips and middle Dan Ashfield also playing key roles.
In Winnipeg, the Wesmen are coming off a season that saw them grab the seventh playoff seed, make it all the way to the conference final and then fail to win a set at Nationals. A roller coaster ride to be sure. First Team All-Star Andrew Town is entering his fifth season, while setter Dan Lother and middle blocker Justin Duff are in their fourth. With a solid list of veterans and new recruits coming aboard, the Wesmen look solid now and for the future.
In Vancouver, the UBC Thunderbirds look for a return to Nationals, but without National Teamers Steve Gotch, also a First Team All-Canadian, and Jared Krause. Two-time Canada West Libero of the Year Blair Bann and outside hitter Kyle Duperron lead a younger team looking to elevate its game for head coach Richard Schick.
National team player and 2008-09 CIS Rookie of the Year Chris Voth is the leader now and hopefully for a few years to come for the Manitoba Bisons. With a young squad mostly made up of first- and second-year players, Voth easily stands out for 29-year bench boss Garth Pischke. Fifth-year left side John Galloway and fourth-year setter Zack Diboll are the only roster players playing past their third year of eligibility.
The Saskatchewan Huskies should improve on their disappointing 2-16 mark from a year ago. With a healthy lineup and another year of experience, it’s just a matter of how much. After a year absence, 16-year head coach Brian Gavlas has returned. Senior players, setter Cole Hintz and libero/left side Daniel Quintal, head up a squad laced with young talent that needs to blossom in order to stay competitive in the ever-tough Canada West conference.
A young side, the Regina Cougars are trying to build up from a 2-16 record a year ago, but already faced with injury problems. Fifth-year outside hitter Mathew Brooks, Regina’s all-time rally-point era leader in career kills, has missed most of the preseason due to injury. He may be ready for opening weekend, but will need to round into form for the Cougars to have success. Libero Lindsey Isaak will also be key, but the loss of Ryan DeCosse and Christopher Knoop will be difficult to overcome.

Alberta Golden Bears
2008-09 conference record: 18-0 (1st)
2009 CW playoffs: 2-0 (1st)
2009 CIS tournament: 3-0 (1st)
Last CW title: 2008-09
Last CIS title: 2008-09

Although the Alberta Golden Bears volleyball team comes into the season as two-time defending champions, they are a vastly different team than the one that went undefeated in conference and playoff action last season.
Gone are seven players from last season, including CIS Player of the Year, CIS tournament MVP and BLG Award winner Joel Schmuland. Also absent are starting libero Tyler Myroniuk, starting middle Ben Saxton and starting right-side hitter and All-Star Tim Gourlay.
Brought in to fill-up those holes are significant high school and Alberta college recruits.
“Jay Olmstead and Matt McCreary joining the Golden Bears volleyball program directly from high school, and both of these young men have great physical attributes that make them a good fit for our program,” said Danyluk, the 2009 CIS Coach of the Year. “Matt comes with Team Alberta experience, while Jay was a member of the provincial champion Harry Ainlay High School team from last year.”
“Chris Womack comes to the University of Alberta after a very successful season with the Grant MacEwan Griffins of the ACAC. The Griffins won the Canadian College Athletics Association championship, and Chris was named tournament MVP. He brings a wealth of playing experience, and was also part of the first-ever Team Alberta Canada Games gold medal this past summer.
“We also have added a second generation Gourlay, as Tim’s younger brother Pat is joining the Golden Bears from the Mount Royal University, where he played two seasons, and won the CCAA championship along with current Golden Bear Jason DeRocco two years ago.”
Returning to the program after each taking a season off are Craig Proudfoot and Kurt Kleinfeldt.
Considering the players that went out the door and the influx of new talent, it would be safe to assume that when the 2009-10 Golden Bears hit the floor, it will be a drastically different team than last season’s edition, but with such a turnover, fans and opponents of the Bears can expect an altered approach to the match by the Evergreen and Gold.
“We’re used to seeing Joel Schmuland on the floor, and this year the leadership and consistent play he was able to bring regularly to our team, will need to be filled by our other players,” said Danyluk. We will continue to do many of the same things that I think are important in our system, like working hard and playing together, for each other.”
As Danyluk is aware, the hardest part about success is replicating it, but as two-time defending national champions, what mindset does the program need to find success on the national level again?
“We need to be the best we can be…which is what we strive for every year and this year will be no different. Our goal is to give ourselves a chance to get to the national championship and in order to do that we have to continue to improve every day!”

Brandon Bobcats
2008-09 conference record: 10-8 (4th)
2009 CW playoffs: 3-1 (2nd)
2009 CIS tournament: 2-1 (3rd)
Last CW title: none
Last CIS title: none

Brandon looks to continue its progress and build on last season’s national championship experience. This season marks the fifth year of existence for the program, translating into an experienced group of athletes, intent on improving last season’s 10-8 record.
Head coach Russ Paddock is returning for his fifth year with the team, along with assistant coach Grant Wilson. While several key players are gone from last year’s team, 11 return to the program. Additions include Jon Sloane, a 6’9’’ middle from Algonquin College, Justin Pikel, a left side / libero from Medicine Hat, and Dan Boutwell, a middle from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Kenora.
Returning players include the fifth-year left side Riley Phillips and middle Dan Ashfield. Players returning in their fourth year of eligibility include Kyle Dellezay, Paul Sanderson, Kevin Miller and Luke Reynolds.
Dellezay will get his chance to lead from the setting position. “Kyle has worked hard and has been a great team player. With the departure of fifth-year setter Andrew Korol, Dellezay will get his chance this season,” commented Paddock.
Dan Ashfield, a middle, and Kevin Miller, left side, will be expected to contribute more offensively this season. CIS First Team All-Canadian Paul Sanderson will strive to continue his conference-leading ace and kill statistics.
Jonathon Sloane will battle for the opening left by departing middle Joel Small. Small decided to stay in the Team Canada training centre in Gatineau, QC instead of finishing his last year in Brandon.
“Our three new players have fit in very well with the team. Dan Boutwell has demonstrated a lot of positives, while Sloane and Justin Pikel bring high energy to our group,” says Paddock.
With a strong contingent of returning players and staff as well as several talented new recruits and transfers, the Brandon Bobcats are aiming to return to the national tournament in the 2009-10 season.

UBC Thunderbirds
2008-09 conference record: 10-8 (5th)
2009 CW playoffs: 0-2 (t-5th)
Last CW title: 1984
Last CIS title: 1983

After qualifying for the CIS tournament two seasons in a row, the Thunderbirds missed out on their third straight trip to the national stage last year when the Brandon Bobcats bounced them from the conference playoffs in the first round.
“It was a different feeling year for sure,” said UBC head coach Richard Schick. “We had to compensate in a lot of positions and we were without a consistent right side most of the year, which put a lot of strain on some of our other players. We had to ask for some different things out of a few of our guys.”
The T-Birds lose two key players in graduated standouts Steve Gotch and Jared Krause, both of whom are now playing with Canada’s National Team. Gotch, a First Team All-Canadian, was the T-Birds go to guy on offence last year averaging 4.90 kills per game while the 6-foot-8 Krause was arguably the most versatile setter in the league.
Despite these losses, Schick is confident in the squad he has assembled.
“This year other guys will have to step up and hit those 50 or 60 sets per game that Steve was getting and I’m looking forward to that with the group we have,” said Schick. “We might not have a top-end player like we had with Steve but I think we are a deeper team. We may not have that “wow factor” but skill-wise we are better overall.”
Outside hitters Kyle Duperron, Robert Bennett, Tanner Kozak and Nathan Schuck all averaged at least a kill per game last season, and will be vying for bigger roles in the offence this year. Rex Fenton and newcomer Ryan Zwarich will take on the difficult task of filling in for Krause at the setter position.
Two areas where the T-Birds will remain largely unchanged from last season are the libero and middle positions. Blair Bann is coming off his second straight Canada West Libero of the Year award, and will be looking to improve on his conference-best 2.92 digs per game from last season.
In the middle, a pair of third-years is looking to make a big impact. Last year, Joe Cordonier finished tied for the team lead in blocks per game and averaged 1.23 kills per game, while Yari Kozel averaged 1.11 kills per game and was fourth in blocks. Cary Brett, who is coming off a strong summer with Team BC that saw him help them to a bronze medal finish at the Canada Summer Games, also figures to a prominent player in the middle after appearing in 14 matches last season with the ’Birds.
The rest of the lineup may look somewhat unfamiliar, however, as the T-Birds welcome eight new players to the roster this year. The biggest addition could very well be outside hitter Demijan Savija who led the CCAA last season with 5.13 kills per game while playing at Capilano University.
Despite the roster changes, the T-Birds have the talent and depth in place to be a playoff contender in the tough Canada West conference as long as they can find the rhythm and consistency they struggled to find all of last year. With last season’s bitter first round playoff exit still fresh in the team’s collective memory, expect a hungry UBC side to come out with a big effort as they look to earn another trip to the national tournament this year.

Calgary Dinos
2008-09 conference record: 13-5 (2nd)
2009 CW playoffs: 1-2 (t-5th)
Last CW title: 1994
Last CIS title: 1993

The Calgary Dinos were poised to make their first trip to the CIS championship since 2003 as the Winnipeg Wesmen rolled in for a conference quarter-final series last February.
The No. 3 team in the nation, the second seed in Canada West after a 13-5 regular season, and just three weeks removed from a sweep of the Wesmen in the same Jack Simpson Gym, the Dinos seemed destined for back-to-back weekends in Edmonton…except it didn’t happen.
After a classic series that featured three marathon five-set matches, the Wesmen moved on and the Dinos headed into the off-season with some additional motivation to get ready for 2009-10.
“We did learn a lot last year,” said fourth-year Dinos head coach Rod Durrant, whose charges were ranked No. 4 in the inaugural Top 10 of the new season. “We had a relatively young group last year, but that’s over with and our approach to this season has been positive. Our guys worked really hard in the off-season.”
Durrant didn’t make wholesale changes over the summer with the core group of the team remaining intact, led by All-Canadian Omar Langford and conference All-Star Ciaran McGovern. One key addition, however, is Junior National team setter Jay Blankenau from Mount Royal, who gives added depth at the quarterback position.
“Bringing in Jay gives us another option, and both he and Ciaran spent the summer with the Junior National team so that’s a nice option to have,” said Durrant. “They’re both competitive guys, and I believe that’s going to make us better.”
There might be a little added motivation for the Dinos in 2009-10, with no fewer than six players on the roster entering their fifth year of eligibility. Langford joins middle Oleg Podporin, power hitters Don MacNeill and Pierre Rocque, and liberos Tom Porta and Brendan Ray as players with just one more shot in their university careers.
“I think there’s definitely some extra motivation for those guys,” said Durrant. “You don’t want them to put too much extra pressure on themselves because they need to enjoy their fifth year, but there also needs to be that sense of urgency and drive and that could be beneficial to us.”
Calgary’s strength runs right up the middle, led by Podporin, Graham Vigrass and David Egan. Vigrass also spent the summer with the junior national team, while Egan played for Team Alberta at the Canada Games in August and had a spectacular pre-season for the Dinos, including an MVP nod at the Husky Dino Cup after the Dinos defeated UCLA for the tournament title.
On the left side, CIS All-Rookie teamer Chris Hoag joins MacNeill and Curtis James as the top power hitters with the squad.
“We’re really pleased with the 16 guys that we have training, including a good group of young guys that really want to get better,” Durrant said. “But there’s still lots of volleyball to be played in the toughest conference in the country and, as silly as it sounds, we have to take things one match at a time. We can’t hope to get to the playoffs in one weekend.”

Manitoba Bisons
2008-09 conference record: 4-14 (8th, missed playoffs)
Last CW title: 2002-03
Last CIS title: 2002-03

Sometimes there is too much stock placed in preseason results, but 2009-10 should be seen as a potential breakout year for a program that has not seen the post-season in the past two seasons.
The Bison have posted a 10-3 preseason record, including eight consecutive, beaten three ranked teams and took the defending CIS champions to a fifth set.
In his 29th season at the helm, head coach Garth Pischke believes the young squad is already ahead of expectation and projections as they have shown they can play consistent volleyball against tough opponents. He feels the early results can only increase the confidence going forward into the season.
The immediate goal of this team is to reach post-season for the first time since 2006-07.
The 13-member lineup has only one fifth- and fourth-year veteran, and is predominantly made up of second-year players (five) with an addition of one third-year and four freshmen. “There is a real comfort level on the floor from the young squad that was missing last season,” stated Pischke, and he emphasized the cohesiveness both on and off the court has assisted in this unit being able to win the close matches.
Manitoba is bolstered by a formable lineup that consists of Canadian National Player and 2008-09 CIS Rookie of the Year Chris Voth, who is primed to improve in his sophomore season. In addition, second-year right side hitter Dane Pischke creates challenges for opponents with his athleticism and serving; second-year middle Joseph Brooks returns from a year absence and solidifies the middle as a strong defender; third-year libero Ryan Munt is a vocal on court leader with flexibility to play different positions and fourth-year setter Zack Diboll gives a veteran presence at the ‘quarterback’ position, while fifth-year hitter John Galloway is a steady influence as a consistent attacker.
Two rookies who will make an impact are setter T.J. Sanders and middle/left side hitter Chris Osborn. Sanders is only 17 year old and has a ton of potential with lots of talent at such a young age. Osborn is an athletic player who has converted from basketball and has a spike touch close to 12 feet.
One of the other advantages this squad has is their versatility and strength of depth. Pischke commented about the rare situation that the team will utilize a rotation of 10 or 11 depending on the opponent and how to attack them.
Manitoba should be back in the mix to battle for a higher spot in Canada West during the 2009-10 season. The squad will continue to feed off their youthful energy and strength as a tight knit group that will be dangerous competitors throughout the upcoming season.

Regina Cougars
2008-09 conference record: 2-16 (9th, missed playoffs)
Last CW title: none
Last CIS title: none

Regina started off its non-conference schedule with a pair of wins at a tournament in Brandon, but the youthful Cougars had a bit of a setback after suffering a few key injuries.
“Things were progressing really well until the injury bug hit,” said head coach Greg Barthel, who is entering his third season with the Cougars. “We had a good tournament in Brandon to start the schedule and we hope to continue to build off that.”
One of those injuries was to fifth-year outside hitter Mathew Brooks, who is the U of R’s all-time rally-point era leader in career kills (751) and kills per set (3.10). Brooks has not played since the Brandon tournament in early October, but might be ready for home-opening weekend against Manitoba.
Brooks and Lindsey Isaak are the team’s top returnees. Isaak, now in his fourth year, took over as the starting libero last season and had 114 digs for the Cougars in 2008-09. Both Brooks and Isaak will be counted upon by Barthel to provide leadership for the squad, which has nine players in their first two seasons of eligibility.
The Cougars lost setter Ryan DeCosse, who dished out 2,604 assists over his five seasons with the team. Derek Delavau and Caleb Eschbach, both out-of-province recruits straight out of high school, are vying for DeCosse’s position.
With the loss of Christopher Knoop on the outside, the Cougars will look to both Jamie Wilkins and Brody Waddell to take on greatly enhanced roles this season. Wilkins started 11 matches for the Cougars last season and ended up third on the team with 103 kills, while Waddell saw playing time in nine matches. Taylor Anderson and first-year players Joel Legasse and Iain McLeod will also be in the mix on the outside.
Drew Smith will be counted upon to step up at the middle blocker position, where the Cougars lose both Blake Wheler and Tyson Volk. Smith played in 10 of the team’s 18 matches last season and appeared in 30 sets. Leon Dyck, who played for the Cougars in 2003-04 and 2004-05, returns after a four-season absence to help the team’s depth at middle. Also at middle blocker is Kelly D’Autremont, a transfer from Medicine Hat College, and Scott Munro, a first-year player from Toronto.
Brooks will be a mainstay at the right side for the Cougars, with Colin Finch again providing depth at the position. Finch, who enters his second season of eligibility, appeared in 16 of the team’s 18 matches last season.

Saskatchewan Huskies
2008-09 conference record: 2-16 (10th, missed playoffs)
Last CW title: 2003-04
Last CIS title: 2003-04

After a tough 2-16 season, the Saskatchewan Huskies will look to return among the Canada West men’s volleyball elite.
Faced with injuries and youth in 2008-09, the Huskies showed potential. The team had strong non-conference matches against Pepperdine University and the Sherbrooke Vert et Or. The Huskies also pushed the then-No. 4 Calgary Dinos to five sets and defeated the then-No. 6 UBC Thunderbirds.
Back to health and one year older, the Huskies have the goal of making a run at the playoffs.
Returning to the helm of the team is 16-year head coach Brian Gavlas, who spent the 2008-09 season on a professional leave of absence. Gavlas, who played with the Huskies from 1983-88, has led the Huskies to four Canada West titles and 10 CIS championship appearances during his coaching tenure with the Huskies.
“We have high expectations for this year,” said Gavlas. “We have a talented group of recruits coming in with size and athleticism. Last year’s experience, plus the additions, should have the Huskies competing every night in the Canada West. We will look to secure a playoff position.”
With the majority of the team in their first, second or third years, the Huskies will rely on their two fifth-year players for leadership on and off the court – setter Cole Hintz and libero/left side Daniel Quintal. Hintz finished sixth in the conference averaging 10.05 assists per game, while libero Quintal finished fourth in the Canada West in digs with 116.
The Huskies will feature a balanced attack with fourth-year Jarret Christenson and recruits Alwyn Piche and Matthew Busse. Christenson led the Huskies with 157 kills in 2008-09. Piche transfers from Keyano College where he was named the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association MVP. He had 409 kills in 84 regular season and playoff games last season. Busse is the son to two-time CIS MVP Darcey Busse. Busse, a 6-8 right side, played with Team Saskatchewan at the Canada Summer Games and was named Volleyball Saskatchewan’s U-18 Most Outstanding Male Athlete.
The middle attack is bolstered by the addition of 6-8 freshman Braden McLean. Most of the Huskie roster acquired experience at the 2009 Canada Summer Games.

Thompson Rivers WolfPack
2008-09 conference record: 10-8 (6th)
2009 CW playoffs: 3-2 (3rd)
2009 CIS tournament: 1-2 (6th)
Last CW title: none
Last CIS title: none

Pat Hennelly enters his fifth season as head coach facing the biggest challenge since he took over the program. The WolfPack have lost a number of players including middle Martin Korsbak (Nyborg, Denmark) and setter Marty Stenderup (Ribe, Denmark).
As well, 2008-09 CIS All Rookie team selection Josh Boruck (outside hitter, Revelstoke, BC).
The hosts for the 2010 CIS Nationals will be led by Junior National team member Gord Perrin (3rd year, outside hitter, Creston, BC), Robin Schoebel (4th, outside hitter, Monaco) and Behlul Yavasgel (5th, outside hitter, Aydin, Turkey). Libero Kyle Donen (4th, White Rock, BC) played with Canada at the Maccabbi Games in Israel this summer and joined Perrin with Team B.C. at the Canada Summer Games.
New recruits include Kevin Tillie, who played with France’s Junior National team. Hennelly also secured the services of three players from B.C.’s U-17 select team: Matt Krueger (outside hitter/libero Abbotsford, BC), Colin Carson (setter, Prince George BC), and Stephen Richter (outside hitter, White Rock). College transfers expected to see regular action include 6’6” Joel Cashetto (middle, White Rock via UBCO) and 6’8” middle Mike Hammond (Barrie, Ont. via Georgian College).
The WolfPack went 2-2 at the prestigious Can-Am Challenge at the University of Alberta. They will be hosting their 3rd annual McDonald's International Invitational Tournament in early January which will include Pepperdine (NCAA), Dalhousie, Toronto and McMaster.

Trinity Western Spartans
2008-09 conference record: 11-7 (3rd)
2008-09 CW playoffs: 1-2 (t-5th)
Last CW Title: 2006-07
Last CIS Title: 2005-06

Competing at the CIS championships has always been one of the goals of the Trinity Western men’s volleyball team.
As is the case with most programs the Spartans had a strong run with four straight appearances, including a CIS title in 2006, followed by a rebuilding time. In 2008 the Spartans were on the road for playoffs, last year they finished third in Canada West at 11-7 and hosted the first round of Canada West playoffs and were a few points shy of returning to Nationals after falling two games to one to Thompson Rivers. This year, with a mix of youth and experience, the Spartans hope to continue their upward trend and make it back to the CIS championship.
“We have a bunch of tremendous athletes who work extremely hard every day in an attempt to maximize their techniques and tactics,” commented TWU head coach Ben Josephson. “I’m really excited about this team’s ability to train and its attention to details. I believe that will pay dividends for us as the season progresses.”
Returning to quarterback the Spartans very dynamic offensive system will be third-year setter Ben Ball (Abbotsford, B.C.), who played for Team B.C. this summer, averaged 3.96 set assists per game last season.
The middle position is one of the strongest and most experienced spots on the team. Retuning middles are fourth-year Josh Doornenbal (Edmonton), with 2.08 kills/gm and 1.01 blocks/gm, third-year Rudy Verhoeff (Calgary), with 1.99 kills/gm and 1.11 blocks/gm and second-year Dan Jansen Van Doorn (Langley, B.C.).
Leading the defensive side of the Spartans will be second-year liberos Jarrod Offereins (Calgary), who averaged 0.54 digs per game, and John Wiebe (Abbotsford, B.C.), who averaged 0.33 digs per game.
Returning to lead the attack are outside hitters Marc Howatson (3rd, Victoria), who led the team with 3.23 kills per game, third-year Paul Lindemulder (6’3’’, Calgary), who averaged 1.69 kills per game, Mikiah Schalk (6’5’’, Red Deer, Alta.), who averaged 1.65 kills per game and fourth-year Aaron Vandenbrink (Langley, B.C.), who averaged 2.28 kills per game. “The outside hitting positions will be the most contested of our positions as there are a number of very talented athletes competing for these spots,” said Josephson.
Newcomers to the Spartans include second-year red-shirt outside hitter Steve Marshall (Abbotsford, B.C.) and first-years, outside hitter Brad Kufske (6’5’’, Abbotsford), middle Lucas Van Berkel (6’9’’, Edmonton) and outside Derek Thiessen (6’5’’, Coquitlam, B.C.). Marshal will look to have an immediate impact. Training with TWU after transferring from Douglas College, Marshall spent the summer training with the Beach National team and finished ninth at the Junior World championships in Blackpool, England.
The question for the Spartans for this year will be how quickly the newcomers gel with the newly experienced returning players. “Every single game is tough in Canada West. Last season one match separated third place from seventh and this year looks to be just as tough if not more competitive,” commented Josephson. “Our major concern will be our youth on our court. We have not been battle tested enough to really know what we are made of.”
Key losses for the Spartans are setter and outside hitter Chaim Schalk (Red Deer, Alta.) and libero Andrew Hawkes (Calgary).

Winnipeg Wesmen
2008-09 conference record: 10-8 (7th)
2009 CW playoffs: 2-3 (4th)
2009 CIS tournament: 0-2 (t-7th)
Last CW title: none
Last CIS title: 2006-07

Entering his 21st season as head coach, Larry McKay’s team will feature a lineup of nine returning players and an impressive group of seven first-year student-athletes.
Andrew Town, a First Team Canada West All-Star last season, returns for his fifth and final season. Town will once again be looked upon to provide scoring power and leadership to the team. Setter Dan Lother and middle blocker Justin Duff are entering their fourth years. They both had a busy off season as members of Team Manitoba at the Canada Summer Games in Prince Edward Island. Four third-year players, Maurice Williams, Marc Ross, Michael Mallin and Emory Wells, will all provide the experience and skills to contribute to the team. Ross and Wells also represented Manitoba at the Canada Summer Games. Second-year opposite John Swanepoel and 6’5’’ middle Matt Dueck will be looking to make an impression this year.
Coach McKay has brought in an impressive group of recruits, including Matt Schriemer, a provincial champion, all-star. Matt Stubler, MVP of the 2008 4A Provincials, and Derek Miller, teammates of Schriemer at Miles Macdonnell, will bring their winning attitude and skill to the team this year. Kenny McKenzie, a graduating all-star, Devin Schmidt, a multi-sport talent, Dominique Pereira and Jaye Burnett round out the impressive group of fireshmen.
“We hope to improve throughout the season. We have several new and/or first-year players who will be the main source of depth for our team. Their adjustment to the university level of volleyball will be a key for our improvement. The more experienced players will be already at the university and more specifically the Canada West level and it will be a matter of them getting their games up to their level and above that from their previous seasons”, said McKay.