Joshua StorieLast Year
The Golden Bears came into last year as defending CIS and Canada West champions, and the premiere men’s volleyball program in Canada. After blazing to a 15-0 start to the season, the Bears slowed after the winter break and finished with a 21-3 record.
Any inconsistencies in play vanished in Canada West Finals, as the Bears held firm on their home court, victorious against UBC in the semis and Trinity Western in the final by identical scores of 3-1.
Incredibly, the CIS Championship saw the Bears look even more dominant, as they demolished Waterloo in the quarterfinal, Dalhousie in the semi, and Trinity Western in the final, all in straight sets.
This Year
As back-to-back CIS and Canada West champs, the Volley Bears come in to the season as favorites to bring the Chrysanthou Trophy back to Edmonton. With only two players departing from last year’s squad, anything less than a three-peat will be a disappointment for the Bears.
The Bears’ greatest strength remains their depth. With scoring threats at all positions, look for setter Brett Walsh to spread the ball evenly throughout the season.
With an average starting lineup height of over 6’5”, the Bears gave opposing teams fits all season long thanks to their stellar blocking. Led by middles Taylor Arnett and John Goranson, look for this team to own net play throughout the year.
The premiere matchup in the regular season will come on the weekend of January 8th and 9th, when the Bears will go head-to-head with their longtime rivals, the Trinity Western Spartans.
Key Players
With his starting lineup remaining essentially unchanged, Coach Terry Danyluk will have plenty of faith in his starting lineup. Senior leadership from Goranson as well as 2014-15 CIS First team all-star left side Ryley Barnes complements a crop of younger talent, led by fourth-year Ryan Nickifor and second-year Alex McMullin.
Barnes is coming off of a season that saw him lead the nation in kills, with 376. Averaging 5.19 points per set, Barnes was named a first team Canada West All-Star, as well as All-Star spots in both the CIS and Canada West Finals tournaments.
Fourth year outside hitter Ryan Nickifor will also be leaned on for a large portion of the offensive swings this year. The Sherwood Park native spent the summer captaining the Canadian National Junior Team, and will look to bring that experience to this year’s Bears squad.
As MVP at last year’s CIS and Canada West Championships, fourth-year setter and team captain Walsh is not only the best setter in Canada, but one of its best players period. After a summer spent with the Canadian National B team, Walsh will look to better his world-beating 2014-15. With a scarcely believable, CIS all-time best 1,031 assists in regular season play last year, there seems to be no ceiling for how good Walsh can actually get.
Though the Bears only lost two players from last year’s championship squad, they will leave a hole in the leadership team of the Volley Bears. Right side Kevin Proudfoot is not returning for a fifth year, and his ballistic missile of a right arm will be dearly missed. In addition, veteran setter Ian Cooper was lost to eligibility.
Season Prediction
In all honesty, it will be an immense disappointment if the Bear’s don’t bring the Tantramar and Chrysanthou trophies back to Edmonton. They have enviable depth at all positions, and could probably make a deep run into playoffs with their second string on the court. In addition,the comparative strength of teams in Canada West conference means that their in-season competition will be on par with the victors in the OUA, RSEQ, and AUS divisions.
Lastly, with Danyluk in his 23rd season, and retirement rumors afloat, look for the Bears to send him into retirement with style. The Golden Bears will three-peat as CIS and Canada West Champions.
