Rookies stepping up
Oct. 6, 2009 - Regina Leader-Post
By Tim Switzer
Taking over the job of a five-year starter is never easy in any university sport.
When that five-year starter is now playing professional volleyball in Austria like former University of Regina Cougars setter Ryan DeCosse, it could be even more difficult.
With DeCosse having graduated after the 2008-09 season, the Cougars are looking at a pair of first-year setters to take over with Derek Delavau (Winnipeg) and Caleb Eschbach (Dryden, Ont.) splitting duties in the pre-season.
"It's pretty big shoes to step into," said Delavau, 17. "(DeCosse) was a great setter. He really improved over his five years here. I watched his games when he'd come to Winnipeg and he was really good."
"There's a lot to learn -- a whole new system and all new players," added Eschbach, 18. "It's a learning experience for sure."
Cougars head coach Greg Barthel knows dealing with the new setters will be a different experience than dealing with the veteran DeCosse, but expects Delavau and Eschbach are up to the task.
"It's a lot for them to get used to and for me it means a lot more patience," said Barthel. "But they're both quite experienced. They both played well on the weekend in Brandon (at a pre-season tournament). I liked how they set the middle and weren't afraid to do that. They both have to work on their location on sets to the outside. Derek might be a little more the technical guy and Caleb's a little more athletic. They compliment each other well."
It probably doesn't hurt that the two setters are joining the Cougars at the same time. Rather than one being able to come in and relax with a veteran setter in place, Delavau and Eschbach will push one another for the starting job. Once a starter is determined, the other will have to be ready to step in at a moment's notice when the other experiences the inevitable first-year growing pains.
"It's definitely going to be a fight because we're both first years," said Eschbach, who was born in Prince Albert but moved away with his family when he was four. "You have to be a lot more ready, whereas if there was someone with a lot more experience where you'd be backing up for sure."
Their working together also includes helping one another get used to a new city. While Eschbach comes from a town of 8,500 people, Delavau is learning to live in a city less than half the size of his hometown.
"Just moving away from home, it's a lot of changes at once," said Delavau.
Next up is learning the speed of the university game.
"It's tons faster," said Delavau. "Blocking is ridiculously tough because the sets are getting out there so fast. In high school you had time because they were big looping sets for balls outside."
Delavau and Eschbach will have more time to get accustomed to that speed beginning Thursday when their team plays host to the Cougar Invitational at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport. The Cougars meet the Briercrest College Clippers on Thursday (3:30 p.m.), the Manitoba Bisons on Friday (8 p.m.) and the Calgary Dinos on Saturday (10 a.m.) before the playoff round goes Saturday evening and Sunday.