Chin Yang is six-foot-two with an athletic build. As a teenager in his native China, he was much taller than the average Chinese male, but still he had to work hard to get selected for the country’s national volleyball team.

“I had to prove myself with tricks and skills to get onto the team because I was not tall enough to make it (otherwise)!” chuckles Yang. “Those days it was a little more easy. If I had to try now … hmm … I don’t stand a chance!”

While playing pro volleyball may no longer be on his agenda, reaching a goal he sets his mind to never seems to be a problem for Yang; that’s clear when you look at his many achievements since arriving in Canada 20 years ago, leaving all that he had attained on the court and off back home. “I left China because of the Tiananmen Square incident … I didn’t like the way the government behaved,” he says, still upset about the 1989 massacre of thousands of protesters in Beijing.

…In the process of building Canuck Sports Stuff (Toronto) Inc., Yang has also stimulated the volleyball playing community in Toronto and neighbouring cities, with help from his business associate, Mark Heese, a bronze medalist in beach volleyball at the Atlanta Olympics (1996). Dubbed as the largest volleyball equipment retail store, Canuck Stuff, as it is popularly known, also sponsors many players.

Get the full story canadianimmigrant.ca

Gloria Elayadathusseril

A few short years ago, Charlotte Sider was a member of Team NB 16u girls. She had made it, or so she thought. Her family was about to move to Ottawa and she would find this next path to be a battle for respect and playing time. Originally from Kitchener, and a member of the 14u Tigers, Charlotte’s family moved to St Stephen, New Brunswick in 2006. When dad (Mark) was placed in a small New Brunswick satellite office of Norr Ltd Architects, a town with no club team, she was forced to sit out a season of club volleyball, but did continue to play high school ball. However, after experiencing the higher level competition in the Waterloo Tiger organization, high school volleyball just wasn’t meeting her needs.

Determined to compete with stronger athletes, she convinced Mom and Dad to make the 1hr+ journey (each way) to Fredericton to play for the Reds. By season’s end it looked like the world was her oyster, Provincial Champs, Team NB, everything seemed to be going her way. Then the announcement came, another move, this time to Ottawa. Time to start again, but surely there would be teams for her in such a big city.

Read Charlotte’s full story

Submitted by Kerry MacLean

If you liked the first issue of Volleyball Source Magazine, you are really going to enjoy publisher Ahren Cadieux’s second, on-line magazine effort. It’s a 62-pager, chock full of player profiles — notably cover girl Liz Cordonier and hard-hitting Gavin Schmitt — and includes a special player, soon-to-retire Paul Duerden.

Also included is  the predictions for the Top 10 Beach Teams, plus the latest on both the outdoor and indoor games. Also check out the“Get The Edge” section, where you’ll get the goods from experts like Mark Heese, Mark “Funk” Roberts, Judy Goss and Nicole Springle.

It’s all there waiting for you to enjoy…so start flipping those pages!

volleyball source magaizine

Queen’s Gaels Men’s Volleyball head coach Brenda Willis was named 2009-10 Fox 40 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) coach of the year.

Five-time OUA coach of the year and OUA 3M coaching award winner, Willis completed her 23rd campaign with the Gaels and her 36th year of coaching. Her career coaching record at Queen’s is 247-93 in OUA league competition. In 2009, Willis served as head coach of the Maccabia national men’s volleyball team, earning a bronze medal for Canada – which is the first men’s volleyball medal Canada has ever won in these games.

In 1993, she led Team Ontario to a gold medal finish in the Canada Games. Willis just completed a 10 year stint as president of the Ontario Volleyball Association, and remains an active learning facilitator for levels one through three. In 2007, she was the honoured recipient of the Rolf Lund Jule Nisse Award, presented by the Ontario Sport Alliance and the Ministry of Health Promotion to an individual who has demonstrated a life-time commitment to playground to podium sport.
In 2009-10 Willis led the men’s volleyball team to a second place finish during the regular season with a 16-4 record. After finishing second at the OUA championship the last two years, the Queen’s men’s volleyball team, led by Willis, reclaimed the OUA banner as they defeated the Western Mustangs (26-28, 16-25, 25-23, 25-22, 15-12) and the Guelph Gryphons (25-22, 17-25, 17-25, 25-22, 15-13) in thrilling five-set matches at the OUA Final Four championship.

The Gaels went on to finish fifth at the CIS championships. Queen’s has won three of the past five OUA banners, having made the final the last five seasons. She has an .800 winning percentage over these seasons, with a career coaching record of 247-93. In addition to her coaching duties, Willis also teaches in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen’s.

Jamie Howieson, gogaelsgo.com

The University of Toronto has a strong history of winning in the OUA for Men’s and Women’s Volleyball. Strong athletes attend U of T every year, which makes it no surprise that they are also producing some of the top Beach players in Canada. Some top players from U of T have represented Canada Internationally including Mike Slean, Christian Redmann, Jessie Lelliott, Kristina Valjas, Heather Bansley, and Asya Danilova. Arguably at the top of the list is Josh Binstock.

His accomplishments include 2008 and 2009 National Champion, Silver Medalist at FIVB Challenger event in Liechenstein, and Bronze medal FIVB Challenger event in Swtizerland

OVA: Why did you start playing Beach?
Josh: Because I found it more challenging than indoor and I enjoyed it being just as much of a mental game as it is physical.

OVA: What do you like most about Beach Volleyball?
Josh: The fact that its only 2 on 2 vs 6 on 6, so you cant hide behind your team if you’re playing bad, or count on someone to bail you out, you have more control over the outcome of the match.

I also like that you have to be skilled at all aspects of the game (i.e. passing, setting, hitting, serving, anticipation, etc.) and not just be specialized as a setter or middle hitter, etc. thus making you need to be a well rounded athlete to succeed.

OVA: If you could change one thing about our sport what would it be?
Josh: I would say the organization and structure of the sport. For many years, it has been looked at (at least in Canada) as a non structured sport that athletes just pick up and try to succeed it. The change I would make is for athletes to take it seriously from a young age if they want to be successful nationally and especially internationally. They shouldn’t just go down to the beach just to play games. Practices should be structured on focusing on specific skills as well as game play, and to be successful, athletes should focus on not just practicing but properly nutrition, preparation for practice and matches along with a proper workout regime.

Volleyball continues to grow in popularity every year in Ontario and Canada. Volleyball Canada and the OVA have made some big strides for our National team, including the hiring of our National Team coach Lennard Krapp and partnering with Beach Blast and the Canadian Sport Centre to create a National Beach Volleyball Practice Centre in Ontario.

OVA: What message would you give to any young beach athlete wanting to play for the National Team?
Josh: Don’t let perceived physical inferiority dictate your aspiration or success level on the beach. Beach is a game where ball control, skill and intelligence will prevail over brute raw simple strength

OVA: Where do you see Beach in Canada going in the next 5 years?
Josh: I see beach in Canada being as good of a competitive environment as its ever been. There are so many good young players now, that can train against and push each other so in 5 years the level of competition will be as superior as its ever been.

OVA: Describe a World Tour event for someone who has never attended.
Josh: Well each World Tour event is different, some are run better than others. But typically you arrive and if you are in the qualifier you must play on Wednesday and on average must win 3 games in a row to qualify for the main draw. You can’t lose 1 match. The qualifier is single elimination where as the main draw is double. Like I said before, each event is different and depending on the city/country different amount of fans watch. Places like Klagenfurt, Austria have thousands of people watching almost every game. Its a great feeling to play there and you know people really appreciate the sport there.

OVA: What is it like playing on the World Tour?
Josh: It is a great opportunity and honor to travel the world and represent your country. Things cant be taken for granted when traveling though. Things that you take for granted here will affect your play if you take them for granted there. For example when playing at home, you have your own bed, own food, familiar environment, etc. When in a different country you have to account for all of that, and learn to adapt to those things being different and not let it affect your performance.
It is fun, the other players are mostly all good people and its a great experience to meet people from around the world.

OVA: Best memory from playing Beach Volleyball?
Josh: Winning the 2009 National Championships without losing a set

We would like to thank Josh for all of his help with this article. We wish him the best of luck in the upcoming season.

If you would like to recommend someone for PROfiles please contact Josh Nichol
jnichol@ontariovolleyball.org | 416-426-7233

In John Child’s PROfile he mentioned “I’m a big believer in you won’t do anything well if you don’t enjoy doing it.” When you watch Kara Zakrewski play, coach or as a inspirational speaker it’s clear to see that a lot of her success comes from the enjoyment and passion she has for beach volleyball.

Kara has played in over 30 FIVB events, and was a silver Medalist at the 2009 OVA Provincial Championships and the 2009 Volleyball Canada Beach Nationals. Before Kara was spending her time playing professionally and training full time in Toronto and California she was a strong Indoor Athlete at the University of Ottawa. At Ottawa she was a two time East First Team All star and a First Team All Canadian in 2002-03. Here’s a quick Q&A:

OVA: Why did you start playing Beach?
Kara: To train for indoor during the summer.

OVA: What are the advantages to indoor athletes who play beach volleyball?
Kara: Development of all your skills since you have to do them all and you receive many more repetitions each practice and game.

OVA: What do you like most about Beach Volleyball?
Kara: The athleticism of the game, how much of an impact I have on the outcome of the game.

Volleyball continues to grow in popularity every year in Ontario and Canada. Volleyball Canada and the OVA have made some big strides for our National team, including the hiring of our National Team coach Lennard Krapp and partnering with Beach Blast and the Canadian Sport Centre to create a National Beach Volleyball Practice Centre in Ontario.

OVA: What message would you give to any young beach athlete wanting to play for Canada?
Kara: Keep going.  Even if someone says you’re not good enough, or you’ll never make it, believe in yourself. Other people don’t know what’s inside of you and what you’re capable of, you don’t even really know. The best you can do is to push yourself and do your best at every moment, in this way you will never fail.

OVA: If you could change one thing about our sport what would it be?
Kara: I wish there were more events in Canada, to showcase our sport, to get more sponsors, and so that I could play close to home more often.

OVA: Where do you see Beach in Canada going in the next 5 years?
Kara: I would like to see a full beach tour, I really believe our sport was at it’s best in Canada when we had a strong Canadian tour.  I also see a huge shift in the development of Canadian athletes, since each province has taken an avid interest in developing beach athletes and since we have a new National training centre in Canada.

OVA: What was it like playing on the World Tour?
Kara: I love competing on the World Tour because I get to play against the top beach athletes in the world, and, in so doing, push myself to my highest level.  It’s amazing to see how many people in the world are truly passionate about beach volleyball, and I’m not only talking about the athletes.  For some tournaments fans sleep outside all night to watch the games.  It’s also amazing to experience different cultures and to travel around the world, and to realize that my favourite place to be is at home in Canada. But, I wouldn’t know that, nor would I be as good a player as I am if I hadn’t traveled and pushed my limits.

OVA: Best memory from playing?
Kara: My best memory used to be when Annie Martin and I beat a top Brazilian team to qualify for the Shaghai FIVB Main Draw in 2006. However, about 2 weeks ago, I created a new favourite memory – winning a Norceca tournament stop vs. Cuba in a tough 3 sets with my partner Julie Rodrigue.  We came back from an 13-11 deficit in the 3rd game to win the game 17-15.  If you want to watch the comeback, you can do so on our website www.dreambigg.ca

We would like to thank Kara for all of her help with this article. We wish her the best of luck in the upcoming season.

If you would like to recommend someone for PROfiles please contact Josh Nichol
jnichol@ontariovolleyball.org | 416-426-7233

When people look back at Eric Simon’s impact on volleyball during the 2009-2010 season there will be some obvious accomplishments that pop out. Eric was a huge part of The University of Western Ontario Mustang’s success. He was recognized for his individual success when he was named a CIS Academic All-Canadian, this season’s OUA Player of the Year and an OUA First Team All-Star. What many people won’t remember is how fast he transitioned to the beach. Eric made the Men’s Provincial team and was a runner up for representing Ontario at the 2009 Canada Summer Games. He skipped playing in the youth division to compete in the Elite Men’s Division, where he and partner Shaun Furneaux finished 5th at the Ontario Championships.

OVA: Why did you start playing Beach?
Eric: I started playing beach to get contacts in for indoor.

OVA: What do you like most about Beach Volleyball?
Eric: There are numerous things I like about beach volleyball, but I guess my favourite part would have to be the fact that you can beat a team [utilizing the] mental aspect of the game.

OVA: What are the advantages to indoor athletes who play beach volleyball?
Eric: Generally in beach volleyball the opposing team will discover your biggest weakness and try to exploit it. So as a volleyball player getting numerous reps in your weakest skills is the best way to improve them. That’s what happens on the beach.

OVA: Where do you see Beach in Canada going in the next 5 years?
Eric: There is a plethora of young talent on Canadian beaches, as can been seen with younger and younger teams competing in the Elite open divisions of Nationals. I think the program can only continue to go up.

OVA: What message would you give to any young beach athlete wanting to play for the Provincial Team?
Eric: Work hard, persevere, trust yourself and your love of the sport. Ultimately that is what it’s about. Don’t be so concerned with the end goal, enjoy the process, enjoy the friends you make and the lessons you learn on and off the court. Your summer of training will only last for 4 months, but your friendships last forever.

Eric was a coach at the Beach Volleyball Academy in Port Stanley last season. The club has some great coaches including Geoff White, Matt Zbyszewski, Shaun Furneaux and David Cousins.

OVA: What was it like coaching at BVA
Eric: It was a great experience. I’ve always enjoyed teaching the different skills of volleyball, and at the BVA I had a little more freedom to begin teaching some strategies and tactics of beach volleyball. Plus the kids we have are exceptional volleyball players so it’s always great to work with a talented group of athletes.

OVA: What was the hardest part transitioning from a player to a coach?
Eric: The hardest transition would be keeping your composure when things are going wrong. I try to think back to the best coaches I’ve had and most of them would always have a calm demeanour, even when things were going awful. I try to replicate that.

OVA: Best memory from playing?
Eric: There isn’t one that stands out in particular. I just enjoy playing at a competitive level, it is always exhilarating.

We would like to thank Eric for his help with this article. Good luck this season on the beach and with your future goals of playing indoor volleyball professionally in Europe.

If you would like to recommend someone for PROfiles please contact Josh Nichol | 416-426-7233 | jnichol@ontariovolleyball.org

In volleyball, there are many of paths you can take to achieve success. That’s what makes being involved with volleyball so much fun, there is no magic formula that says if you follow these five steps you will experience success. However there is one path that works more often than not, surrounding yourself with good people. Garrett May’s career is proof that if you are around the best players and coaches you have nowhere to go but up.

While Garrett was growing up his father, was running the Labatt Beach Pro Tour through his brand Amotion. While Garrett was starting to be exposed to beach volleyball he was surrounded by the highest level of competition in Canada and many of the best players to ever represent Canada. As Garrett grew up he began playing indoor club volleyball at his high school Birchmount Park C.I and for a club team called Crush. He played beach with friends from both teams. Over Garrett’s seven years of beach and six years of indoor he has worked with some of the best coaches in the country including John May and Ahren Cadieux at Crush, Bill McKay at Birchmount and Mark Heese on the beach, just to name a few.

OVA: Why did you start playing Beach?
Garrett: My dad was the biggest reason for me starting to play beach. After he retired from playing, he ran the Canadian Pro Beach Tour; so when I was younger I was around beach volleyball all the time. I was 12 when I played in my first beach tournament. Back then it was just for fun and to try it out; I could have never guessed that I would be where I am today.

OVA: What do you like most about Beach Volleyball?
Garrett: Beach volleyball is such an amazing game and it’s so fun to play but what I love the most about it is the intense competition that takes place in the beach game; it’s just you and your partner against the other two guys. I love playing the game within the game. The moment that you and your partner come together after making a great play is the most exhilarating moment in the world to me.

OVA: What are the advantages to indoor athletes who play beach volleyball?
Garrett: There are so many advantages to indoor players who play beach. I think the biggest is how much it improves your ball control. You are put in a position every rally where you need to pass or to set, which is something you can’t get in the indoor game. On the beach every weakness is exposed, so it can help you become a better all-round player.

OVA: Did playing in Youth Open help you prepare for your Indoor Season?
Garrett: Playing in the youth open definitely helped to prepare me for my indoor season. I was exposed to a higher level of competition every weekend; I was forced to play teams that I wouldn’t normally be put against. It was a great opportunity to learn to deal with the pressure of teams who don’t give up and keep coming. It also helped my confidence. I was playing against players who were potentially five years older than me, so when I transferred to the indoor game, I felt that much more prepared.

OVA: What message would you give to any young beach athlete wanting to play for the National Team?
Garrett: I would say just get out there and play. I found that what really helped me to get better was to just play whenever I could. Play your age division, play an age up, play both days on the OVA tour, just play as much as you can and you will get better.

OVA: What was it like playing at U19 and U21 Worlds? How do they compare to OVA events?
Garrett: Being able to play at both world championships this year was such an honour. They were both such incredible experiences. Every game I played I felt like a pro. It was my first and second tastes at international competition, so I learned so much about the game, how it can be played and how much work is required to be great at it. In the OVA, we play the same teams every week, but at worlds there were so many new faces, all of whom could give any team a run for their money. Having the announcer on center court say your name every time you made a great play was cool too.

OVA: Where do you see Beach in Canada going in the next five years?
Garrett: I see beach volleyball in Canada soaring to new heights! The way things are going now, I think we’re going to see way more players involved at an earlier age, which will hopefully lead to medals at the youth world championships (and hopefully one this year too!). I’m really impressed with the core players on the national team this year and I think we can start to see some results on the world tour.

Garrett has always been supported by his family. John May’s reputation in the sport speaks for itself, and it is always great to talk to Brenda May at every event. The interesting thing to see with the May family is whose trophy case will be the largest when their careers are over. Garrett’s younger brother Reed is not far behind following the family’s path of success through the sport.

OVA: Best memory from playing Beach Volleyball?
Garrett: My favourite moment from playing beach volleyball happened over a weekend. One weekend, almost two years ago, I decided to play a tournament with my dad in the A1 men’s division on Saturday, and with my brother, Reed, in the 16U boys division on Sunday. It was such a fun weekend of volleyball, seeing my dad come out of retirement to play with me and being able to play with my brother. We ended up winning both tournaments without killing each other in the process.

We would like to thank Garrett for his help with this article. Congratulations to the Birchmount Panthers for winning back-to- back quad A OFSAA Championships. Good luck this season on the beach and with Crush as you prepare for Provincials and National Championships.

If you would like to recommend someone for PROfiles please contact Josh Nichol | 416-426-7233 | jnichol@ontariovolleyball.org

The best thing about PROfiles is hearing about all of the different people that help make this sport and community so special. It is always interesting to hear how people started playing, how they reached their accomplishments, and the passion they have for the sport.

Featuring David Cousins was an obvious choice. He has been playing for 19 years, is a Provincial Champion, owner of one of the best beach clubs in Ontario, Beach Volleyball Academy (BVA), and one of the nicest people you will ever meet on the beach. What made us rush to get a PROfile on him was the rumour of him beating Olympic Gold Medalist Phil Dalhousier.

OVA: Is it true you beat Phil Dalhousier?
David: Yes that is true. Phil Dalhousier was not the player that he is today. He was younger and just about to get great at beach volleyball. I traveled with Anton Hauser down to Miami for a March break. We played all week and as a bonus we played in a tourney right on south beach. I didn’t even know that we had beaten him in the tourney until a few years later when Anton Hauser said remember that tall skinny guy we beat in the quarter finals? That guy turned out to be Phil Dalhousier. It is just a fun little fact…a 5′11 vballer from London On has beaten a Olympic Gold Medalist.

OVA: Why did you start playing Beach?
David: There was a beach court in the middle of downtown London (The Ceeps). My friends and I, as soon as school or our summer jobs were over, we would race down there to play till the sun went down. It was a great environment!

OVA: What do you like most about Beach Volleyball?
David: Hitting that one ball that pops off the sand just right. Meeting my best friends.

OVA: What was it like playing on the World Tour?
David: I never played on the world tour. I played on the east coast of the U.S. (Toyota tour), Chicago (EVP), Labatt Tour throughout Canada.

OVA: What message would you give to any young beach athlete wanting to play for the National Team?
David: Play in as many tournaments as possible. It is a great measuring stick. Travel with your partner, it will be the best times of your life!

OVA: Where do you see Beach in Canada going in the next 5 years?
David: I see Canadian Beach Volleyball moving on to its brightest future. We have one of the best youth tours and nothing but GOOD can from this. The sport will continue to grow.

OVA: If you could change one thing about our sport what would it be?
David: Nothing

David teamed up with Shaun Furneaux to start the Beach Volleyball Academy (BVA) in London and Port Stanley. Since the start of the club they have expanded to new areas including Kitchener and Windsor. One of the great features about the club was inspired by the Manhattan Beach pier, where every winning team of the AVP Manhattan Open gets their name permanently placed on the pier. Every time a BVA team wins a Provincial Championship their names go on the plaque on centre court in Port Stanley.

OVA: Why did you and Shaun start BVA?
David: There were no kids in London and area starting to play beach. We have had so many great memories from playing over the years. We wanted to share that with the next generation. There are now after starting in 2007, hundreds of kids that love the sport and hopefully play for the rest of their lives.

OVA: What are the advantages to indoor athletes who play beach volleyball?
David: Advantages…Control. When you play indoor there are six people who can contact the ball. You may be a good hitter, or setter, or passer. Usually you only get one contact. On the beach you have to be good at everything because there are only two people on the court. More contacts. If you aren’t good at one skill the opposition will pick on you till you get that skill correct. You get to overcome these challenges and become a winner.

OVA: What was the hardest part transitioning from a player to a coach?
David: Nothing. They are both great challenges and offer great rewards.

OVA: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start their own beach club?
David: Share your passion for the game. Just get kids playing the sport.

OVA: Best memory from playing Beach Volleyball?
David: Getting to play with Christian Redman and Matty Z in their first pro event, winning provincials 10 years apart, starting the BVA. But still waiting for the best moment to happen….

We would like to thank David for his help with this article. Best of luck this year with all the teams at BVA.

If you would like to recommend someone for PROfiles please contact Josh Nichol | jnichol@ontariovolleyball.org | 416-426-7233

The Jason Senechal Memorial Award is presented to the Youth Beach Athlete that best demonstrates the qualities of honour, fair play, and sportsmanship. What makes this award even more special is it is voted on by your peers of the beach tour. Athletes such as Lance Reynolds, Eric Kuld, Sam Schachter  and Katie Jenkins have all won this award. The 2009 recipient Victoria Altomare demonstrated all of these qualities and more.  Vee’s outgoing personality and passion for the sport make her stand out as a quality role model for every young athlete on the tour.

Aside from her outgoing personality Victoria’s results also make her stand out from the crowd. In 2009 she was a member of the Women’s Provincial Team, Youth Open Provincial Gold Medalist, 18U Nationals Gold Medalist, and represented Canada at U19 FIVB World Championships.

OVA: What do you like most about Beach Volleyball?
Vee: I can’t say enough about this game. I love everything about it! However I think when it comes down to it, it’s amazing because it is only you and one other person on the court. You have to trust heavily in your skills, have an in incredible mental game, and must learn to work through everything…there are no substitutions!

OVA: Why did you start playing Beach?
Vee: I started playing beach volleyball because I wanted something to help my indoor game during the months I had off. Also, a good tan was an incentive.

OVA: What are the advantages to indoor athletes who play beach volleyball?
Vee: Beach volleyball allows you to work on all your skills. Actually you have to work on all your skills. For the person that never sets on the indoor game, they must develop that skill on the beach. You learn to develop  court sense, meaning a better understanding of the overall game. You begin to read play’s better and make better decisions.  After a couple months of jumping in the sand, your jump improves, and the game is less strenuous on your body.

OVA: How did the Youth Open division help prepare you for playing in the OUA?
Vee: I began to familiarize myself with older players, and therefore they weren’t strangers to me when I stepped onto the indoor court. It also assured me that if we were competing with girls in their fourth and fifth years of university, then the transition to the OUA wouldn’t be as overwhelming as I had originally thought.

After one year of playing in the OUA Vee has decided to move back to Toronto and train full time as a Beach Athlete with the National Team Training Centre.

OVA: Where do you see Beach in Canada going in the next 5 years?
Vee: In the last year , Beach in Canada has just taken huge steps in terms of developing our athletes. We now have a National Beach Volleyball Practice Centre in Toronto, that trains athletes all year round, as well as development programs for our younger athletes. This sport is only going to grow, and now with young athletes deciding to train full year round for this sport… we can only hope for spots on the podium in the future.

OVA: What message would you give to any young beach athlete wanting to play for the National Team?
Vee: Just keep working hard. The last two years I have learned that it isn’t the players that practice two times a week that succeed; it’s the ones that are out there every single day constantly working on their skills.  Get involved in the game as soon as you can! It’s amazing the opportunities that are available!

OVA: Describe what it was like playing at Worlds? How was it different from an OVA event?
Vee: It was the greatest international experience I have had so far. In the OVA you see pretty much the same teams every-weekend so you develop game plans and are familiar with certain players tendencies, strengths, and weakness. At worlds, you had no Idea what the Australians weaknesses or strengths are, or what the Italian’s could be expected to do. You had to develop strategies and read the plays as they went on, the only thing you could control was your personal game.

OVA: Best memory from playing?
Vee: Against Germany, in a very important match, the stands were packed with people from all over the world chanting ” CANADA,CANADA!”,  I realized that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.. travel ,train and represent Canada.

We would like to thank Victoria Altomare for all of her help with this article. If you would like to recommend someone for PROfiles please contact Josh Nichol jnichol@ontariovolleyball.org | 416-426-7233