University of Regina men’s volleyball head coach
Greg Barthel announced Friday that five players have committed to the Cougars and will join the team for the 2009-10 season.
Barthel’s recruiting class is headlined by 6’2” setter Derek Delavau, who starred for Dakota Collegiate in Winnipeg. Delavau was named to the All-Manitoba Team after leading the Lancers to the 2008 Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association silver medal and was also a member of the Strike Volleyball Club, which won the Manitoba U18 provincial title. Delavau was also a starter for Dakota’s basketball team.
“Derek is a very good setter who distributes the ball very well,” Barthel said. “He has had success at both the high school and club levels. He has a good serve, plays defence very well, and will be a great addition to our program.”
Matt Powell, who can play both in the middle and on the outside, will come to the U of R from Melville Comprehensive. Standing 6’7”, the versatile Powell helped the Cobras win the 2008 Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association 4A bronze medal and was also a member of the Fort Qu’Appelle Predators club team. He’s also a former hockey goalie and excels at badminton.
“Matt brings size and unlimited potential with the ability to play a number of positions for us,” Barthel said. “He loves to play the game and we look forward to him bringing that enthusiasm to our program.”
A member of the 2008 provincial 5A championship-winning Campbell Collegiate squad, outside hitter Iain McLeod will look to continue that success at the CIS level. McLeod is a multi-talented athlete, as he is a national-level paddler that will race for Team Saskatchewan in the canoe events at the 2009 Canada Summer Games and also won the 2009 provincial basketball championship with the Tartans.
“Iain is a solid athlete who can develop into a very good player for us,” Barthel said. “With his paddling experience, Iain already knows how to train and has the discipline needed to succeed as an athlete. He’ll bring good depth at the outside hitter position.”
Recently named one of the recipients of the prestigious Lorne Aston Scholarship after concluding his multi-sport career at Winston Knoll Collegiate, outside hitter Joel Legasse will concentrate on volleyball with the Cougars. Legasse, who along with McLeod was a member of the Stubble Jumpers volleyball club, participated in basketball, badminton, track & field, baseball, team handball, and ultimate Frisbee along with volleyball for the Wolverines.
“Joel is a very good athlete who excels at a number of sports,” Barthel said. “He has a great vertical jump and should develop into a very productive player for us.”
Kelly D’Autremont, the only member of Barthel’s recruiting class not directly out of the high school ranks, comes to the U of R after three seasons with Medicine Hat College. Originally from Alida, Sask., D’Autremont won a 2009 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference bronze medal with the Rattlers.
“Kelly brings size and experience to our team,” Barthel said. “He has improved quite a bit while at Medicine Hat and is a strong athlete who will continue to improve with hard work and commitment.”
The five recruits will help bolster a U of R squad that loses five-year Cougars Ryan DeCosse, Christopher Knoop, and Blake Wheler along with Tyson Volk and James Belle from its 2008-09 roster.
2009-10 University of Regina Men’s Volleyball Recruiting Class
MB Kelly D’Autremont (6-6, 4th) – Alida, Sask. – Medicine Hat College
S Derek Delavau (6-2, 1st) – Winnipeg, Man. – Dakota Collegiate
OH Joel Legasse (6-1, 1st) – Regina, Sask. – Winston Knoll Collegiate
OH Iain McLeod (6-3, 1st) – Regina, Sask. – Campbell Collegiate
MB/OH Matt Powell (6-7, 1st) – Melville, Sask. – Melville Comprehensive HS