LEARNING ON THE ROAD AHEAD
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2009
SEASON PREVIEW
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2008-09 CW Tournament placing: tie fifth
2008-09 CIS Tournament placing: NA
2008-09 Overall Record: 15-17
2008-09 Conference Record: 11-7
Last CW Title: 2007
Last CIS Title: 2006
LEARNING ON THE ROAD AHEAD
LANGLEY, British Columbia – Competing at the CIS championships has always been one of the goals of Trinity Western University 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 play-offs, last year they finished third in Canada West at 11-7 and hosted the first round of Canada West play-offs 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 championships.
“We have a bunch of tremendous athletes who work extremely hard everyday 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 their attention to details. I believe that will pay dividends for us as the season progresses."
Key losses for the Spartans are veterans Chaim Schalk (Red Deer, Alta.) and Andrew Hawkes (Calgary). “It’s hard to imagine we would be stronger with losing an All-Canadian and our team captain,” said Josephson. “We definitely have holes to fill both in position and in role and while we may not be able to replace those athletes directly we do have guys who have been preparing for this opportunity to contribute on the floor.”
Returning to quarterback the Spartans will be third year setter Ben Ball (6-4 Abbotsford, B.C.), who played for Team BC this summer, averaged 3.96 set assists per game last season. “Ben will lead a very dynamic offensive system with interchangeable parts,” commented Josephson. “He has lots of experience running our system and leading our team on the floor having started for us both of the last two seasons during the second semester. “
Returning middles are fourth year Josh Doornenball (6-7, Edmonton) with 2.08 kills/gm and 1.01 blocks/gm, third year Rudy Verhoeff (6-5, Calgary) with 1.99 kills/gm and 1.11 blocks/gm and second year Dan Jansen Van Doorn (6-8, Langley, B.C.). The middle position is one of the strongest positions for the Spartans. Doornenball is the veteran of the group as a three year starter for the Spartans. “Josh has been a stable starter for us for three years and will look to continue to earn that right this season,” said Josephson of the former junior national team middle. Verhoeff was a first year starter and led CW in attack efficiency and increased his level of play while captaining Canada’s junior team at this summer’s World Championships. “Rudy’s experience this summer have furthered the development of an already experienced, albeit, young player,” said Josephson. While Dan Jansen Van Doorn, who saw limited time as a first year last season, showed his potential this summer at the National Team Challenge Cup in Kelowna, where he was named an all-star. “Dan is coming off of a stellar tournament this summer and will contend for time this year and look to expand his role with the team,” said Josephson.
Leading the defensive side of the Spartans will be second year Libero’s Jarrod Offereins (6-4, Calgary), who averaged 0.54 digs per game and John Wiebe (6-1, Abbotsford, B.C.) who averaged 0.33 digs per game. “Jarrod and John bring very different skill sets to our group. Jarrod is a fantastic passer and will be looked to to secure our reception, while John is a great defender whose speed and aggression will provide a great battle for playing time,” said Josephson.
Returning to lead the attack are outside hitters include third year Marc Howatson (6-7, 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 (6-6, 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. “Marc received some great experience in India with the junior national team. He will be looked to for passing and control and Paul, who is coming of a Canada Game gold medal, brings a lot of passion and excitement to the group,” commented Josephson. “Mikiah, also a member of championship Team Alberta, will look to earn a role with his tremendous attacking ability and service game.” VandenBrink who was sidelined with a back injury after staring much of last started much of last year will look to return to the starting lineup with a healthy back. “Aaron looks to continue to build on last season's performance. He is a very effective attacker who uses a variety of shots to score and provides a tremendous amount of stability for our group,” said Josephson.
Newcomers to the Spartans include second year red-shirt outside hitter Steve Marshall (6-3, Abbotsford, B.C.) Marshal, who spent last season with TWU after transferring from Douglas College, spent the summer training with the beach national team and finished ninth at the junior world championships in Blackpool, England. “Steve is as gifted an athlete as we have ever seen at TWU. He is gifted with tremendous speed and jump and has worked hard over the past year to add a high level of skill to that genetic athleticism,” said Josephson.
Rounding out the first years are outside hitter Brad Kufske (6-5, Abbotsford, B.C.), middle Lucas Van Berkel (6-9, Edmonton) and outside Derek Thiessen (6-5, Coquitlam, B.C.), who will miss most of the season after summer knee surgery. Brad is a dynamic athlete who will push for a major role during this season. He is a very physical player who has a ton of side out potential as his skills continue to develop could become a great passer and defender,” commented Josephson. “And Lucas is a man among smaller men. He is the tallest member of our team but plays like a much smaller man. He is very agile for a big guy and is really starting to adapt to the speed of the game at this level. He will look add depth to an already strong middle position this year and will provide a lot of size off the bench in key situations. “
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. 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.”
-TW-
Last Updated: 2009-10-23
Author: Scott Stewart
Email: ssstew@twu.ca
