Travis Czainski may have one of the most important roles on the RDC Kings volleyball team, yet hardly ever sees the floor during a game.
The 19-year-old is in his second season as backup setter for the Kings, a role that is vital to the team’s success. If the starter should go down, or has an off game, Czainski has to be ready to step in and play at a high level.
“I know my role and I’m perfectly fine with it,” he said.
“I try to push the starters as much as I can to make the team better so we can go as far as we can.”
Last year he was behind former Australian national junior team setter Nick Bell and this year he finds himself backing up Jackson Maris, who comes in as the starting setter on Team Alberta.
Czainski is also not one to sit back and take his position on the team for granted.
“I’ve been working on improving as much as I can,” he said.
The Hunting Hills grad wasn’t sure if he’d play at all last season as head coach Aaron Schulha said he would red shirt.
“That was what I expected, but when I was asked to be a roster player it was exciting,” he said. “But really coming into college was a bit of a shock after high school. It’s getting used to the whole experience. It’s different in terms of length of the season and the work outs.”
Schulha was pleased with Czainski’s performance last season and was glad to have him back this year.
“He wanted me back, which showed he trusted me and I’m glad for that,” said Czainski, who wanted to attend RDC since he was a youngster.
“When I got out of school it was between basketball and volleyball,” he said. “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do as I had a couple of offers. But I went to a couple of RDC camps when I was in elementary school and middle school and I always wanted to be a King. It’s awesome to be here.”
Czainski is also one to absorb as much information as he can.
“I learned a lot last year working with Nick. He taught me a lot, even during the games. Jackson is a bit younger than me and we try to help each other as much as we can.
“He’s a played a lot of quality volleyball so he teaches me a lot and I try to help him as much as I can.
“In games he’ll ask me about certain things the other team may be doing, so we have a good relationship.”
Czainski understands the role of the bench players and pushing the starters in practice is extremely important.
“That’s something Schulha has always stressed,” he said. “Some of our best matches are in practice. That’s how we get better so that once we get into games we can relax a bit.”
Czainski is taking psychology and isn’t sure what he may do next season.
“It’s a four-year program, so I have to look at transfers and everything like that, so I can’t say exactly where I’ll be next year.”
Even if he isn’t around next season, or doesn’t go on to play elsewhere, Czainski will look back at his first two years at RDC as a benefit in his growth.
“It’s a lot of work, but the coaches are on you to make sure you’re doing what you should and the teachers help a lot.”
RDC volleyball had last weekend off and return to action this weekend as they host The King’s University College in a doubleheader. The women get underway at 6 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday with the men to follow.
• The basketball squads are also returning to action after a weekend off. They visit the University of Alberta-Augustana in Camrose Friday and host Concordia University College Saturday. The women tip off at 6 p.m. with the men to follow.
• The badminton team competes in ACAC action at NAIT Saturday and Sunday while the hockey Queens visit the University of Alberta Pandas Friday.
• It was a big week for RDC cross-country running star Jodi Sanguin.
The fifth-year member of the Queens won the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association championship Saturday and was named the Boston Pizza RDC female athlete of the week as well as one of the ACAC female athletes of the week.
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com