Bears’ volleyball prospects: Are we getting another championship team?

When you’re the best team in the country, you probably have an easy time recruiting top prospects. At least if you’re the Golden Bears volleyball team. And what better way to scout some of the best players than to invite them — and your current commits — to an all-star game, where they have to respond to your coaching.

If you’re Brock Davidiuk, head coach for the Bears, that’s what you’ll do. On December 7, the Bears’ volleyball team hosted its 11th annual Ganza all-star game, inviting the top 25 high school volleyball players in the province, including two Bears commits.

Jack Drake is the libero the Bears need

The Bears’ libero status isn’t terrible, but it’s not great either. And with three, soon to be four, liberos, you gotta wonder — “what went wrong?”

It’s hard to put a finger on that exactly, as all of these players bring a unique skill set — just not the right one. The Bears are an offence-heaving team, with Isaac Heslinga leading Canada West with 207 kills in 12 games, and it’s not a close competition.

The second-ranked kill leader, Isaiah Olfert with the University of Winnipeg Wesmen, got there with only 148. But that doesn’t mean defence isn’t important — it’s a matter of finding the right defensive player. And so far, back row saves have come from a mixed effort from some otherwise offensive players, instead of that power presence you want from your libero.

Jack Drake, a 2025 Bears commit, brings that presence with a style of play that makes you think the ball finds him. Whether it’s through consistent digs or accurate saves, he always seems to know what’s happening at the net. As he moves into his rookie year, he’ll bring a sense of urgency to the Bears’ roster as a reliable addition to the back row, and he’s excited to be here.

“The environment is just so great, and playing high level volleyball is the most fun. So that’s where I want to be, is at the top level,” Drake said.

Evan Linder is already fitting in with the Bears

When talking about adding to the Bears’ offensive lineup, there’s only a few players that can succeed in such a well-established roster. This is what makes Evan Linder so promising. Linder is perhaps one of the most talented prospects the Bears have, and having committed in his grade 11 year, he’s already established a home with the Bears.

Linder shocked the crowd at the Ganza all-star game, sending one of his serves 106 kilometers per hour and, of course, getting the ace. A player like Linder might be what the Bears need in order to crack top five for serving leaders in Canada West.

At 6’8, he’s probably the most physical prospect the Bears have, which is exactly what he needs to succeed with this championship group.

Who the Bears are probably looking at

The Bears have potentially five guys leaving the club next year, and their recruitment potential is extensive. With only a few commits, they have a couple more spots that to fill and there’s a pretty good idea of who they’re looking at.

In terms of adding to a well-filled position, there’s setter Ethan Berardocco. Though he’s very skilled in that role, the Bears have a fourth, third, and first-year setter. So it’ll be interesting to see how he could slide into the lineup. Third-year Luke Weddell is sitting third in Canada West for assists, and he’s in a good place to help transition a rookie setter into the lineup.

Like Drake, Beradocco “is excited to play at this high a level.”

“Playing in high level matches, you get better every time,” Berardocco said.

For recruits a few years down the line, the Bears have to be looking at outside hitter Tyson Dezutter, who’s currently in his junior year. Some of his highlights include playing for Team Canada’s U17 and U19 teams as an under-ager, as well as winning gold at the 2024 provincials.

After ending his high school season on a heater, Dezutter may play for Team Canada’s National Excellence Program (NEP) during his senior year — a known recruitment pool for the Bears.

Bears’ third-year outside hitter Jacob Sargent also played for the NEP before joining the Bears, and it certainly worked out for him. It seems Dezutter is exactly the kind of player that can come in his rookie and sophomore year to help make up for the loss of Sargent and other third-year players.