The Saskatchewan Huskies, who are the Canada West men’s volleyball defending silver medalists, are off to a 6-4 start after completing the first semester of play.
“I mean it’s not the most ideal situation, everyone wants a perfect record, but the way our team has been performing and the way Can-West is, every team is a viable threat,” middle blocker Ian Farrer said.
“I think were in a pretty good spot going into the second half, you always look back and wish maybe you had one more but we are pretty happy with our first half overall with some younger guys playing and contributing,” interim head coach Joel Dyck said.
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One of those younger players is rookie Derek Epp, who has stepped into the setting position after CJ Galvas, who was selected as last year’s CIS rookie of the year, elected to train with the national team in Quebec.
Dyck is still finding the right chemistry for the team, and has been tweaking the lineup.
Third-year middle blocker Ian Fareer has been splitting playing time, but knows that decrease in playing time might be worth the individual sacrifice to the team.
“I always want the team to be the best it can be, and if that means me sitting on the bench, and having other players get the opportunity to help the team, I’m all for it,” Farrer said.
To make the playoffs, the Huskies will need to play top seven in the conference. At the moment, they are sitting in a three way tie for fifth with Mount Royal University and the University of British Columbia.
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When they resume regular season play in the new year, the first weekend doubleheader is versus the Trinity Western Spartans, who top the league and are ranked first nationally. The Huskies job doesn’t get any easier, as the following weekend they face the Alberta Bears, the second team in Canada West.
“I think it’s good we play Trinity and Alberta first then have an easy schedule at the end so we get into a run like last year,” said a confident Etienne Hagebuch, who plays libero.
“I think it’ll be a great challenge for us, and as long as we focus on ourselves, and play to our strengths, then hopefully find some weakness, it doesn’t matter what the schedule is, we’ll do good,” Farrer said.
The Huskies will get a combination of rest and time to work on their craft in the gym over the holidays. On Dec. 27, they welcome Budo, a Japanese team they do a yearly exchange with, for some exhibition play at the PAC in Saskatoon.
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