Kings have new, young look
Listen to RDC Kings head coach Aaron Schulha and you can’t help but be excited about the 2010-11 Alberta Colleges Men’s Volleyball League season.
The Kings will be much younger than last year after losing seven veterans, including two-time All-Canadian Mitch Irvine, but the talent is still there, says Schulha.
“It will be a different lineup for sure,” he said. “Last year we had a veteran team with a lot of talent, but not as much depth as we have this year.
“This is a refreshing feeling. We have an excellent attitude which younger guys seem to bring with them.”
But despite being much younger, Schulha isn’t worried about playing at an elite level, needed to compete in the ACAC.
“The guys may be younger, but they have college level talent,” he said.
“Plus we still have some older guys who come in expecting to win and they’re putting in the effort.”
Schulha has eight players back from last season, including all-star power hitter Taylor Hunt, and setter Darcee Froese, although he may be moved to an outside hitter position.
“Darcee is one of our best athletes, with a great attitude,” said Schulha. “At six-foot-five, he’s strong at the net and would fit in nicely as a hitter.”
Schulha can make that move this season with the addition of former Australian youth and junior national team setter Nick Bell.
Bell made the decision to come to Canada this year and contacted a couple of Alberta universities, explained Schulha.
“But by the time he contacted them they had their setters, so they sent out feelers to the colleges and we were able to make it work,” he said.
“He’s an excellent addition to the program. He has a very high volleyball IQ and thinks the game well in terms of the situation in the game, which I like. He’s able to take what the other team gives him.”
Libero Matt Saunders returns and will work alongside Tucker Leinweber while middle blockers Sean Tuff and Boston Maris, left side David King and right side Andy Inglis also return.
King was an all-star at last year’s U21 provincials while the six-foot-four Tuff, who red shirted last season, has impressed in camp.
“I’ve been very impressed with Sean as he’s dominated to this point,” said Schulha, who has five other new faces on hand.
Six-foot-four Trent Schmidt of Notre Dame and six-foot-three Jordan Gardiner of Coronation, both middle blockers, six-foot-four left side hitter Quentin Schmidt of Calgary’s Bishop Carroll, six-foot-five right side Dennis Wierenga of Nerlander and setter Travis Czainski of Hunting Hills round out the roster.
Schulha indicated there’s a possibility Czainski could red shirt.
“The nice thing is we’re getting some excellent local talent,” said Schulha.
“They were around all summer so we were able to work out several times. The guys all know each other so it doesn’t feel like a regular camp where we’re trying to build a team.”
The Kings open their exhibition schedule Tuesday against the RDC Alumni.
“We used to play the Masters national team, but we feel playing 10 of the top former Kings will do us a lot of good,” explained Schulha. “I know the guys will come in wanting to do well, so it’ll make for an interesting and intense match.”
The Kings will host the Challenge Cup, Oct. 8-10 and compete in a Mount Royal tournament, Oct. 15-17 before opening the season, Oct. 22-23 at home against Lethbridge.
l Terence McMullen, Blake Henwood and Adam Sillery return as assistant coaches.
drode@reddeeradvocate.com
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