New roster is working
Oct. 23, 2009 - Regina Leader-Post
By Tim Switzer
Jamie Wilkins likes the new look of the University of Regina Cougars men's volleyball team.
There are no new uniforms, or anything to speak of, but with nine new players on the 16-man roster, the team will appear a little unfamiliar to most.
"With all the new guys it's great because we're getting rid of all the old routines and old traditions that haven't been working," said Wilkins, a third-year outside hitter. "We're getting new guys in here to build a new foundation for a new team.
"Our record speaks for itself, but it's more the air around the team room and the attitude of the players. Bringing in new guys means a big difference in the attitude. It's more positive. We know that we're a young team, but a lot of guys are eager -- no one is nervous to play or anything. Everyone wants to get out there and play and make a difference on this past losing record."
The Cougars are coming off a 2-16 season in 2008-09.
When the Cougars open the regular season today (8 p.m., Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport) against the Manitoba Bisons, the starting lineup could be made up mostly of veterans like Wilkins, right side Mathew Brooks (a game-time decision because of a right shoulder injury), middle Drew Smith and outside Brody Waddell.
But through the season, the newcomers are likely to see plenty of time as well, with rookie Derek Delavau expected to be the primary setter and Leon Dyck possibly seeing time in the middle after returning to the Cougars, with whom he last played during the 2004-05 season.
"We've got some young guys and everyone needs to improve a lot more, but it's not a big problem," said Wilkins. "The older guys are helping the younger guys get settled."
While it could have been a coaches' nightmare to be at the head of so many new players, Cougars boss Greg Barthel has actually embraced the challenge.
"It's kind of refreshing a little bit," said Barthel. "That's the great part of school sports, you always know you're going to get a new group once in a while and you try to develop that. It's a lot of teaching -- way more teaching this year than it has been my previous two years -- so that kind of recharges the coaching staff's batteries."
But when the season begins, it will have to be veterans like Wilkins, Brooks and fourth-year libero Lindsey Isaak who will have to take the lead for the Cougars.
"(Wilkins) has grabbed that a little bit," said Barthel. "He still has things to learn and make sure his game is good before he jumps out too much. He focused on getting better and he's a good vocal guy which is what we need. We were missing that a little bit."