OVA News

Three days before leaving to try out for Canada’s junior volleyball team, Josh Lichty’s hopes were dealt a crushing blow.

The 20-year-old St. Catharines native discovered the suspected shin splints that were bothering him was really a stress fracture in his left tibia, the inner bone of two bones extending from the knee to the ankle.

Doctors recommended the Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School graduate stay away from jumping for six to eight weeks and Lichty spent a few days pondering his options. He decided to try out for libero, a backcourt defensive specialist, instead of a left-side attacker and was able to make a successful transition.

The McMaster University history student and volleyball player has been chosen to represent Canada at the world championships in Pune, India, from July 31 to Aug. 9. The tibia is now starting to heal and he’s hoping to return to jumping before leaving for India.

“I pride myself on my passing ability, so libero was a good fit for me,” he said. “I am learning so much and am very grateful for this opportunity because it will only better my game as a leftside once I make the transition back.”

His play at the team’s tryout camp and training camp in Winnipeg has impressed Canadian head coach Chris Green, who said Lichty’s value to the team is his skill level, passing and ability to dig.

“What I needed to see from him was to be impressed by his passing ability because one of the things we will need over there against well-developed and top European teams is the ability to pass,” he said.

“If someone is weak or breaking down, Josh is going to be the guy who needs to go in.”

Even with a bad leg, Lichty had one of the best passing percentages in camp.

“It’s a comfort factor for me knowing I can look down the bench and he’s ready to go,” Green said.

Lichty believes he’s adapting well to the role.
“It was a tough challenge mentally more than anything to wrap my head around a new position and my physical condition.”

He feels the libero training will pay huge dividends, allowing him to sharpen aspects of his game he otherwise wouldn’t have focused on.

“I am loving it and could see my volleyball future in the libero position.”

This will be the fourth time Lichty has represented Canada. He was on the youth national team that travelled to Dominican Republic for the NORCECA championships, played for Canada’s youth beach volleyball team at the world championships in Poland and, in 2008, he was on the national junior team that earned a silver medal and a world championship berth in a qualifier in El Salvador.

“I’ve been to many poorer countries that would not be on my list to travel to. But once I get there, I am overwhelmed by the culture and excitement each individual place has to offer. I am blessed that I get this opportunity.”

Get the full story friom Bernie Puchalski, The St.Catharines Standard