With the departure of Patrik Toze at Christmas, the RDP volleyball Kings lost one of the premier power hitters in the ACAC.
Fortunately, Kings head coach Aaron Schulha didn’t have far to look to find a solid replacement in six-foot-seven Nicholas Possingham.
Possingham, who like Toze is a native of Australia, was working on the right side, although he missed the majority of the first half of the season with a concussion.
“I knocked myself out a week before the regular season started so that put me behind about a month,” he said. “Then when I came back I had a couple of other minor injuries.”
As a result, Brett Lower grabbed the starting right side slot and has turned into one of the top opposite hitters in the conference.
So when Schulha asked Possingham to switch to the left side he was more than happy to do so.
“The plan is for me to play there this year and next and I’ll play wherever they need me. If it means playing time that’s great.”
Possingham has the versatility to play wherever Schulha needs him.
“At home, I played as second setter and on the right side when not setting. My last year I played left side and jumped into the middle when they needed me to, so I am versatile which is good.
“I’ve played all positions and while they’re different I’m well trained in all three so I’m happy no matter where the coach puts me.”
Schulha knew he could move Possingham but still felt a little uncomfortable.
“I just felt it was a little unfair to bounce him around as a first-year player, but he has the versatility which we needed at the time.”
Possingham got his first taste of starting against the Ambrose University Lions and finished with nine and eight kills in a pair of wins. He then added 15 kills in both matches in a split against Briercrest.
Nicholas proved even more valuable as left side Reece Lehman was also out because of Covid.
“Nich did a real good job against Ambrose and was solid again against Briercrest,” said Schulha. “The biggest thing was he didn’t get the passing reps in the first half so he needed to adjust to service receive.”
Nicholas agreed.
”On the right side there’s less to think about because you’re not involved in serve receive,” he said. “But I’m happy to be more involved. I’ve been a target because I’m not as good at passing as the other guys yet, but it’s good to be challenged.
“And the guys beside me in the back row help a lot. “
Nicolas, who turned 19 on Tuesday, is from Heathfield, South Australia, and learned of RDP from former Kings star Regan Fathers.
“Regan is with Athletes Dream and I joined them to sent my resume out to a number of schools. I had zoom meetings with them and lucky enough I ended up here. Regan also recommended it and I couldn’t be happier.”
Nicholas played at the top level in his school, starting in Grade 8. He also was also involved in the club program associated with his high school and was on the Australian Youth team. When he was 16 he played in a national level competition for U19s.
“That was my first exposure to high-level volleyball and definitely worth it.”
But he did admit the ACAC is a step up.
“This level is much higher than at home. It was a bit of a shock to me at first but the boys made the transition a lot easier.”
Possingham indicated he always wanted to attend a post-secondary institution in Canada.
“First of all I wanted to get a degree,” he said. “But I also wanted to play a high-level of volleyball and then try my luck at playing professionally overseas after.”
He’s taking Open Studies this year and transferring to education next year.
“I would like to return to Australia and teach and coach volleyball,” he added.
Possingham isn’t the only new face to see significant playing time of late as Lehman, setter Maddux Greves, middle Cody Boulding and backup middle Evan Ockerman were all out with Covid.
Dante Furlan also came in on the left side and impressed while Kyle Rix and backup setter Brett Theise also showed they can handle ACAC duties.
“We had three young guys on the floor this weekend and they all did a good job so it’s bright looking forward,” said Schulha. “I really didn’t know what to expect last weekend (against Briercest) as they were the other one-loss team in the league and there were some pleasant surprises.
“Dante came in as the fourth or fifth power hitter this season and he stood out. It was disappointing not to have a full lineup last weekend but the young guys showed they can play and will push the older guys which is what you want. It definitely showed our depth and make us stronger in the long run.”
The Kings will need that depth for at least a bit more as Greves is still out and Lehman and Ockerman won’t return until Saturday at Briercrest. The Kings played Thursday at SAIT and were missing all but Boulding.
Danny Rode is a retired Advocate reporter and member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame who can be reached at danrode@shaw.ca