OVA News » Dave Preston

Coaching Series at OCs

xenie — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 09:00:55 +0000

Through the support of Quest for Gold and the Coaches Association of Ontario the OVA is happy to announce the first ever Coaches Speaker Series during the 2010 Ontario Championships. The 2010 Speaker Series will take place every Saturday of the Ontario Championships at RIM Park in Waterloo. Coaches, athletes and parents are invited to attend the free presentations by some of the top coaches in Canada.

Saturday April 17 – 13U / 14U Weekend

Jeff Chung TOPS Volleyball Academy
Presentation: Setting
Time: 10am

Dean Lowrie University of Western – Women’s Varsity Team Head Coach
Presentation: 3 Ball Systems and Drills
Time: 2pm

Saturday April 24 – 15U / 16U Weekend
Kristine Drakich University of Toronto – Women’s Varsity Team Head Coach
Presentation: TBD
Time: TBD

Dustin Reid Ryerson University – Women’s Varsity Team Head Coach
Presentation: TBD
Time: TBD

Saturday May 1 – 17U / 18U Weekend
Dave Preston McMaster University – Men’s Varsity Team Head Coach
Presentation: What coaches value/look for in the recruiting process.
Time: 10am

Brenda Willis Queen’s University – Men’s Varsity Team Head Coach
Presentation: Transition from Club Volleyball to University / College Volleyball
Time: 12pm

To register email Josh Nichol – jnichol@ontariovolleyball.org

FAQ
Q: Why do I need to register if it’s free?
A: If you register you will be entered in a draw to win Mikasa merchandise.

Q: Can I still attend if I didn’t register?
A: Yes

Q: Will I get NCCP credit for attending the course
A: No, NCCP credit will not be given for attending a presentation. It is a chance to learn from some of the top coaches in Canada and learn a few tips that are not included in NCCP courses.

Q: What if my team is scheduled to play when a presentation is scheduled?
A: Go to your match, there are so many matches going on at RIM Park every weekend that we couldn’t find a time that fit into everyone’s schedule.

Q: I don’t coach volleyball, can I still attend?
A: Yes of course, parents and athletes are welcome to attend. It will be beneficial for everyone who enjoys volleyball to learn what top coaches teach and value at all age levels.

Community Support

xenie — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:00:49 +0000

The McMaster Marauders men’s volleyball team may have won two straight Ontario University Association (OUA) titles. But, before taking on their archrival Queen’s Golden Gaels on Oct. 9, players held a clinic for members of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingston at the Robert Meek Community Youth Centre.

McMaster has a Kingston connection on their team with one of their assistant coaches Parish Offer and fourth year player Tyler Santoni both being Regiopolis Catholic Secondary School graduates.

Santoni’s father Mark is a strong supporter of the Boys and Girls Club and the co-chair of the annual Syl Apps Celebrity Golf Classic, which raises funds for the club.

Offer has been a great role model for not only Santoni, but also the whole McMaster community. “It makes me extremely proud that the Kingston boys remember their roots and under the guidance of head coach Dave Preston, the whole team is willing to give back to various communities, no matter where,” explains Mark.

Get the full story from Kingstonthisweek.com

My Jamaica

admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:34:29 +0000

photo: Ron Albertson / The Hamilton Spectator

The volleyball career of McMaster University graduate Parrish Offer has taken him from Kingston, Ontario, to Kingston, Jamaica.

The former Marauders captain was scheduled to leave in May for the Jamaican capital, where he’ll play for that country’s national team.

Offer was born in Kingston, Ontario, 24 years ago. And before beginning his outstanding career with the OUA champion Marauders, he played in Kingston for the provincial AAA high school champion Regiopolis-Notre Dame Panthers.

“My mom, Patricia, was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica,” said Offer, earlier this week, in explaining his route to the national-team level.

Offer said that last year he took the advice of McMaster men’s volleyball coach Dave Preston, who suggested he pursue dual citizenship.

Get the full story: Larry Moko The Hamilton Spectator

McMaster Finishes Fourth

xenie — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:00:39 +0000

The fourth-place finish by OUA champion McMaster is the best result in the program’s history and the highest finish by an OUA team since Toronto was fourth in 1997-98. The Marauders’ best ranking in eight previous CIS tourney appearances was a fifth position in 1990-91.
“It’s a process. Last year we got here as the OUA champions and we weren’t able to get through that first round. This year we came here and we got through to the semi-final and next year we have to take that next step,” said Marauders head coach Dave Preston.
“I think we gave it everything we had today, I just don’t think we had very much left in the tank. Our spirit got broken against Laval in the semis, and it takes us longer than 18 hours to recover from a broken spirit. Having never played (Brandon) before it was tough because we weren’t familiar with them, but they have everything you need to be a championship team,” added Preston.
Peter Hrkal was the most productive Marauder on offence with 13 kills and only three errors, a performance that earned him McMaster-MVP honours.
Second-team all-Canadian Jeremy Groenveld was held to nine kills and committed seven errors.

Read the full story

FULL RESULTS

Friday, February 27

Quarter-final #1: Laval 3, Winnipeg 0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-20)
Quarter-final #2: McMaster 3, Thompson Rivers 2 (26-24, 23-25, 25-17, 18-25, 15-12)
Quarter-final #3: Alberta 3, UNB 0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-21)
Quarter-final #4: Brandon 3, Dalhousie 2 (17-25, 26-24, 12-25, 25-21, 15-9)

Saturday, February 28

Consolation #1: Thompson Rivers 3, Winnipeg 0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-20)
Consolation #2: Dalhousie 3, UNB 0 (25-11, 25-21, 25-16)
Semi-final #1: Laval 3, McMaster 2 (25-20, 25-23, 30-28)
Semi-final #2: Alberta 3, Brandon 0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-22)

Sunday, March 1

5th place: Dalhousie 3, Thompson Rivers 2 (25-23, 25-15, 19-25, 18-25, 15-12)
Bronze medal: Brandon 3, McMaster 1 (25-20, 19-25, 25-15, 25-17)
Championship final: Alberta 3, Laval 0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-17)

Mauraders and Mountaineers

xenie — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:38:50 +0000

With many of their enthusiastic fans in the stands banging on pots, drums and paddle boards, McMaster Marauders pounded Queen’s Gaels on the court late last week.
And with that 3-1 thumping, McMaster won its second consecutive OUA men’s volleyball championship.
Mac swept the best-of-three playoff final series — 2-0. The scores were 25-20, 21-25, 25-22 and 25-7.
“I was proud of the way we closed it out,” said McMaster coach Dave Preston.
The Hamilton squad advances to the CIS tournament Feb. 27-March 1 in Edmonton.

Get the details, Larry Moko, Hamilton Spectator

The McMaster women’s volleyball team went into the Lions’ den and got mauled.
The visiting Marauders fell 3-0 to the York Lions in the OUA Final Four championship match Saturday at Tait McKenzie Centre.
The scores were 25-20, 25-12 and 25-14.
Defending champion Mac earned a berth into the title match with a 3-2 semi-final decision Friday over Toronto Varsity Blues at York. Mac took the tie-breaker, 15-8. York won its opener 3-1 over Western Ontario Mustangs, also on Friday.
Apparently one shouldn’t anger the Lions. It was McMaster that handed York (21-1) its only loss of the season on the final day of the regular-schedule. After that contest, expecting a playoff matchup against York, McMaster coach Tim Louks said: “At least emotionally, (York) will respond. Can they tactically? That’s to be deternimed.”

Elsewhere in varsity women’s volleyball, Mohawk Mountaineers travelled to Belleville on the weekend and dropped a 3-1 playoff decision to Loyalist Lancers. That was an Ontario Colleges Athletic Association quarter-final. Loyalist (17-3) finished second in the East Division, while Mohawk (16-4) placed third in the West.

Get the full women’s wrapup, Larry Moko, The Hamilton Spectator