The recruiting trail this post-season for the defending Canadian Colleges Athletic Association champion RDP Kings became a little shorter for head coach Aaron Schulha, much to his surprise.
Outstanding right side Brett Lower, who graduated with his nursing degree, decided to return for his fifth year of eligibility.
“Originally, he wasn’t coming back as he had his degree and is working on his practicum,” explained Schulha, “and he has a part-time job lined up for next year.
“Once he decided he wanted to come back, he talked with several members of the Queens who played in a similar situation, and they made it work.
“Where he was, he didn’t want to give up his final year. He can work part-time, have his classes and keep his nursing license and actually put in less hours than he’s putting in now with his practicum.”
Lower had an outstanding season last year, finishing behind Colby Nemeth in kills on the Kings. He was a first-team all-star at the Nationals.
His return, along with the addition of six-foot-eight Wizdom Smith out of Winnipeg, who played at Niagara College in Ontario last season, gives the Kings one of the best one-two punches on the right side in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).
“With Brett coming back, I was a little worried about Wizdom,” said Schulha. “He was someone I worked on last year at this time but with Lower and Noah (Carlson) coming back at the time, he wanted to play and would get more playing time in the OCAA.
“As it turned out Noah didn’t return, but he already committed.”
Schulha asked him to keep the Kings in mind and he did just that contacting him after the season.
“At the time, it looked like Brett was graduating. When he decided to return, I told Wizdom, but he’s excited about coming in and working with the team and moving into the starting role next year. He’s pumped.”
Smith is one of five new faces coming in this season. With setter Brett Thiese graduating, that leaves second-year Drew Dykstra to take over. Netana Samia of New Zealand was an early commit and will backup.
Dykstra, a native of Bentley, was highly recruited out of Central Alberta Christian High School in Lacombe, could have went directly to a U Sport team but wanted to develop his game where his dad played.
“Drew backed up Thiese but started a couple games and came in a couple of times to save the day when we just needed a change,” explained Schulha. “He was our best serving sub and he learned what it takes at this level and it was important in his growth and he’s more than ready to take over.”
Drew may be gone after next season, but may also stick around for a third.
“There are some U Sport teams wanting him after two but also one after three, so we’ll see,” said Schulha.
Nemeth, who won practically every award there was this season, returns on the left side along with Zach Neufeld, Dante Furlan and Liam Hartt. Two newcomers on the left side are Aussie Jay Throwbridge and Jack Panech of LCI in Lethbridge.
Both are considered excellent candidates to take over after next season.
“We lose Colby, Zach and Dante,” said Schulha. “Both Jay and Zach are athletic, good jumpers and are excited about being here.”
In the middle, they might lose Aussie Dillon Gauci.
“He only played four years but is leaning towards returning home, although he hasn’t ruled out returning,” said Schulha. “Even if he doesn’t, we have 16 players this year, which is good considering we lose six for sure.
“We needed to bring in younger blood and train them to be ready to go. It’s hard to replace that many guys, especially with the bulk of them our big contributors, but that’s part of it. That’s also why we bring in guys we figure will easily take over for them.”
Even without Gauci, Owen Langberg returns after an excellent season where he was an ACAC All-Conference player and an all-star at the Canadians.
Evan Ockerman, who is expected to fill in for Gauci, and Rylan Teasdale return with Notre Dame grad James Purse coming in this season.
“James played some middle and outside for Notre Dame, but in my eyes he’s a middle,” said Schulha, adding, “it’s nice to get some local guys in.”
The best local guy is Lindsay Thurber grad Nemeth, who was on the ACAC All-Conference team, the South Division Player of the Year, an All-Canadian, an ACAC All-star at the provincials, the CCAA championship MVP and the ACAC Player of the Year for all sports.
“Having Colby come back for his fifth year says a lot about his enjoyment with the program and the guys,” said Schulha. “The same with Owen. Like Colby, had an opportunity to go to U Sport, but they enjoyed where they were at and what we are doing here.”
Schulha couldn’t say enough good things about Nemeth.
“Last year he shared the volume with Noah, but took over this year and you could see his growth. He was a high-volume guy and will be again this year, which we need, as I expect we’ll compete at a high level once again.
“I know he’d like to play beyond college, and with another good year, he can send his video overseas.”
The Kings will once again be solid at libero with Bradley Noskey and second-year Ty Flemming.
“We have a lot of talent and guys who are pushing the starters, which is a good problem to have,” added Schulha, “I’m excited and I think we’re in good shape for next year and years beyond.”
Schulha is also recruiting for two years down the road.
“There’s some good talent in this area with Drew’s brother Luke and Tyson DeZutter out of Thurber. I’ve talked a lot with Tyson and chances are slim, but he’s keeping his options open, which is best for him.
“For us, it would be good for him as he can step in and be a P1 (Power Hitter No.1) and develop his game as a starter at a high level.
“I don’t see that case as he’s been ID’d by the National team, but he may opt to play right away which he may not at the U Sport level. It’s something for him to think about.”
All DeZutter has to do is look back at the Kings with Nicholas Cundy, Dallas Soonias and Brock Davidiuk, who is now coach of the University of Alberta. All three played two years at RDC, moved to the U of A, where they started ,and eventually played with the National team.
At one point, six members of the 12-man National men’s team had played at RDC.
Danny Rode is a retired Advocate reporter and member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, who can be reached at danrode@shaw.ca
