Volleyball player Tyger Holt is in the decision process.
The senior at Lambrick Park secondary is among the top female university prospects from Greater Victoria this year.
Two months ago Holt captained the Lambrick Park Lions to second place at the AA volleyball provincials. It was the second straight year the Lions made it to the final, only to come within one win of the title.
SheB次元官网网址檚 6-foot-2 with the potential to be a middle blocker in the NCAA.
When youB次元官网网址檙e being recruited, you can afford to be choosy (somewhat), and Holt has yet to decide. HoltB次元官网网址檚 list has NCAA as well as Canadian options, as she weighs the determining factors for each.
B次元官网网址淕eography, scholarship, affordability and strength of program all come in to play,B次元官网网址� she said.
One school Holt doesnB次元官网网址檛 have to factor in is the University of Victoria. ItB次元官网网址檚 been 15 years since the school spiked its varsity volleyball program. But in spite of the program, or lack thereof, the South Island continues to pump out elite volleyball talent.
B次元官网网址淚f UVic had a decent program it would be high on my list especially because living at home would make it so affordable,B次元官网网址� Holt said.
B次元官网网址淚 think a lot of girls who have left (town for varsity volleyball) would have gone to UVic.B次元官网网址�
ThereB次元官网网址檚 no rush for Holt, who is currently in the midst of a stellar basketball season. Her Lambrick Park Lions are ranked second among AA schools in B.C., a favourite to win the Island basketball championships in February.
Across town, the situation is similar for 6-foot-7 Alex Swiatlowski.
The big man is providing much-needed height to the Oak Bay Bays basketball team. But itB次元官网网址檚 on the volleyball court that Swiatlowski is a killer.
Last week UBC-Okanagan proudly made official what many already knew, that theyB次元官网网址檇 recruited Swiatlowski, captain of the AAA provincial champion Oak Bay Barbers.
Lesser-known because volleyball plays second fiddle on the high school hardcourt, Holt and Swiatlowski are the face of VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 graduating class of volleyball athletes.
Taking charge
The Camosun Chargers menB次元官网网址檚 and womenB次元官网网址檚 volleyball teams want to be a development program pushing players to the next level. But without a nearby CIS team, theyB次元官网网址檝e become more than that.
In 2010, on the heels of his teamB次元官网网址檚 second-straight provincial championship, Chargers menB次元官网网址檚 coach Charles Parkinson called Victoria a B次元官网网址渧olleyball vacuum.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淣ot having a CIS team in Victoria is really unfortunate. Particularly a school the size of UVic.
Parkinson points to the fact Victoria is able to sustain a trio of rep youth volleyball associations. But the former national player with Team Canada sees the big picture and wants to a constant stream all the way from middle school to the Olympics.
B次元官网网址淚n terms of impact of sport development, itB次元官网网址檚 unquestionable not having the highest level an athlete can participate at in your home town is detrimental,B次元官网网址� Parkinson said.
B次元官网网址淰ictoria is a mecca for volleyball, with great players. But itB次元官网网址檚 not as big a pool of players as it used to be. The lack of a CIS team isnB次元官网网址檛 the only reason but it is a contributing factor.B次元官网网址�
UVicB次元官网网址檚 athletics division recently said it has B次元官网网址渘o immediate plan to bring varsity volleyball back.B次元官网网址� Instead the school will continue to focus its athletic resources on the existing 16 varsity teams.
After pulling out of what was then the CIAU in 1998, the Vikes tried to keep a Tier II team, but ran into the same challenges with travel and administration costs, finally cutting it altogether in 2003.
However, volleyball remains one of the largest sports in the CISB次元官网网址檚 Canada West with 11 teams in each of the menB次元官网网址檚 and womenB次元官网网址檚 conferences. Soccer has eight menB次元官网网址檚 teams and 10 womenB次元官网网址檚 sides, while basketball has 14 each.
Lethbridge is the next biggest school in the Canada West not to have a volleyball program, though newcomers UBC-Okanagan (Kelowna) and Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops) both do. Vancouver Island University wants to be in the CIS but the newly upgraded institution has been denied, mostly due to an inadequate facility.
UVic, meanwhile, is in the midst of developing a new multi-million dollar gymnasium that would make a lovely home for a new volleyball team.
But as much as a CIS team would help, itB次元官网网址檚 clear the volleyball scene in Victoria is just fine on itB次元官网网址檚 own. With championships and national players, thereB次元官网网址檚 plenty of proof the development system of clubs, middle and secondary schools is working.
Pumping out the players
The Chargers havenB次元官网网址檛 won a national volleyball title, but the school has produced multiple CIS, NCAA, professional and national level players.
Most notable is Josh Howatson, an Oak Bay High grad who went from the Chargers to becoming CIS male volleyball player of the year (2007) with Trinity Western University.
UVic was never an option for Josh or his younger brother Marc, a national team prospect.
Former Vikes coach Doug Reimer has led the UBC Thunderbirds womenB次元官网网址檚 team to four straight CIS championships.
An All-Canadian setter with the Vikes in the early 1980s, Reimer coached at UVic from 1985-87.
B次元官网网址淪elfishly,B次元官网网址� Reimer admits, B次元官网网址淚 wouldnB次元官网网址檛 want to compete any harder (in recruiting) quality Victoria players.B次元官网网址�
But Reimer would be supportive if the Vikes were to renew the program, and believes they would do very well.
B次元官网网址淲e might lose a few players, but it would give a chance for local players to play.B次元官网网址�
Athletes exported
