There have been a number of athletes in Red Deer who have gone on to compete for the Canadian National men’s and women’s volleyball teams.
Julie Young and Jamie Thibeault were both stars with the Lindsay Thurber Raiders and went on to play with the women’s program. Dallas Soonias, also out of LTCHS, starred with the men’s squad for several years.
Soonias was also a fixture on the 2002-03 RDC Kings, possibly the best team ever in the CCAA. Nick Cundy and Brock Davidiuk were both on that team and went on to play with the National team and current Kings head coach Aaron Schulha was with the National B squad.
Later Mark Dodds and Gavin Schmitt played with the Kings and with the National team while Chaim Schalk went on to star for the Canadian Beach Volleyball team. Earlier national team middle blocker Murray Grapentine was with the RDC program.
As well Kelly Cherniwchan, Joey Martins, Tim Gourlay and Tanner Nault competed for the National B team or Universiade squad.
Now, there’s another local product making his mark on the national scene.
Tyson DeZutter, a Grade 11 student at LTCHS, has already played with the U17 and U19 National teams and would like nothing better than to represent his country in the Olympics one day.
“That would be my goal,” said the six-foot-six left-side hitter.
DeZutter was named to both national teams last summer, playing in a pair of North American tournaments.
The U17 tournament, “which was more for fun,” was held in Mexico, while the U19 tournament in Puerto Rico was a qualifying tournament for the World championships, which will be held in Uzbekistan, July 24-Aug. 3
“We finished fourth in the U19 tournament and qualified for the Worlds,” said DeZutter, who played “tons, which I was grateful for.
“It was a great experience … such an honour to represent the Maple Leaf and to be recognized as one of the best in the country. An amazing feeling.”
He added he learned so much about how to handle himself at that level.
“You learn so much about how to conduct yourself as a high-calibre athlete and understand you’re representing your country and everything you do and say you make sure you’re doing right.”
DeZutter was able to bring the experience he gained with the national program back to his current team, which is ranked No. 1 in the province, along with the LTCHS girls.
“I try to bring back the knowledge and skills I learned and apply them to my game here. You hold yourself to a higher standard when you do come back, help your teammates, and play at a high level.”
Raiders head coach Travis Czainski believes he’s done just that.
“He’s our captain and leader,” he said. ”That experience helped him so much. Even outside of volleyball with his leadership and those things. These types of players don’t come around often and when you have them you want to hang on to them. He makes coaching fun.”
And the fun thing is he’ll be around for another year.
DeZutter is practically unstoppable when the team is on a roll.
“We have a really strong team. We have a lot of guys who love the game and work hard every day.
“I’m grateful for the group of guys I work with, it’s an honour to play for the school and hopefully compete for a provincial championship at the end of the month,” said DeZutter.
Czainski understands DeZutter is a key member of the team but the Raiders won’t win without a team effort.
“Tyson is a focal point for other teams and we’ve worked hard early in the year to have a balanced attack. Normally we’re beating teams up in the middle and that opens everything up for Tyson and makes him even more dominant.”
Tyson was a good baseball player, but with Kings Club volleyball, where he plays with the U17 team, he no longer plays. He does play with the senior boy’s basketball team and competes in high jump in track and field.
Tyson comes out of an athletic family where his dad, Shane, played baseball and basketball at a high level. His mom, Kirsten, played volleyball but is most noted as a coach, leading the Raiders to a record number of provincial championships, including a record three in a row with Julie Young leading the way.
“She gave me exposure to the game when I was young and helped me build a foundation of skills,” said Tyson, who already is receiving offers from several universities in Canada.
“I have some options, but I’m still weighing those. I do have time, so no rush.”
And of course, there’s always the RDP Kings and their history of elite athletes.
Both the Raiders senior boys and girls are in the zone final, which starts on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The Raiders boys play the St. Joseph High School Falcons at St. Joes on Tuesday at 6 p.m., while the senior girls play at Notre Dame at 6 pm. Game 2 of the zone finals goes Thursday at Lindsay Thurber.
Danny Rode is a retired Advocate reporter and member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame who can be reached at danrode@shaw.ca
