OVA News

Tyler Santoni has the persistence of his high school gym teacher to thank for getting him on the volleyball court several years ago.

From that initial prod, Santoni has pushed himself to excelling in the serve, volley and smash sport to the point where he will play for Team Ontario at the Canada Summer Games.

“It’s my first time on a provincial team. For sure, I am really looking forward to it,” said Santoni, who has been training with Team Ontario in Toronto for the past few weeks.

Just over five years ago, Santoni was playing high school football for the Regiopolis-Notre Dame Panthers. At that time, the lanky wide receiver came under the eyes of gym teacher Pat Farrell, who also coached Panthers volleyball squads.

Santoni, a good all-around athlete, had played hockey, basketball, baseball and golf ahead of volleyball in his youth.
Football came into the picture when he arrived at high school and made the Panthers junior team.

Farrell also saw some volleyball potential in Santoni, who was over six feet at the time.

“Pat Farrell was my high school gym teacher. He pushed and pushed me to play volleyball,” Santoni said.

“He definitely did a lot for me. Once I started playing, I started liking it. I had a growth spurt between Grade 11 and 12 and my Grade 12 season went really well.”

The Panthers finished fourth in the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations triple-A final with Santoni starring as a right-side hitter.

By the time he left high school, Santoni knew he wanted to continue playing volleyball at the university level. He was recruited to the McMaster Marauders by coach Dave Preston, another man who had a major impact on Santoni’s athletic life.
The Marauders are an Ontario University Athletics volleyball power under Preston.

“He is a phenomenal coach. He has improved my game so much,” Santoni said.

“I went (to McMaster) as a right-side player and he turned me into a middle. It worked out well. I do enjoy (the position) a lot.”

The six-foot-eight Santoni is one of four McMaster players on Team Ontario, which will be coached by Shayne White, head coach at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo.

Tyler Santoni
Canada Games competition dates: Aug. 24-29.
Age: 20.
School: Entering his fourth year of commerce at McMaster University; graduate of Regiopolis-Notre Dame.
Started sport: In Grade 10
Top accomplishment: Member of the two-time OUA champion McMaster Marauders.
Long-term athletic goal: Play professional volleyball in Europe.
Favourite athletes: Tiger Woods and Rafael Nadal.

Get the full story from Doug Graham, Kingston Whig Standard