DINOS FACE TOUGH TASK
Playoff spot still within reach
Asked to describe this 2016-17 men’s volleyball season, Rod Durrant shakes his head.
“We don’t have enough time,” he said in mock protest, looking to the sky before answering. “We have had some adversity, some challenges and some injuries. This team was ranked No. 3 in the country on Nov. 1st and then we just had a lot of changes, we lost some athletes for other reasons, injury, and the group has really bound together, worked tremendously hard. Unfortunately haven’t had the outcome we’re looking for.
“We have six matches left and the guys know what’s ahead of us. It’s not over yet, they’re focused and we’re going to play our best and see what happens.”
As they head to Saskatoon on Friday and Saturday nights, the Dinos sit four points out of the final playoff spot, currently occupied by both Winnipeg and Saskatchewan. A sweep of the Huskies is a must, then they can eye the two last home series against Regina and Alberta.
It wasn’t the desired scenario. Last season, the team finished 18-6, ranked fourth in the nation, before losing in the quarter-finals to Trinity Western. Durrant, who was named CIS Coach of the Year, had hoped for a continuation of that success.
“We were really excited,” he said. “With a core group of guys back, we thought we were a team that could maybe get back to a national championship and compete. That was one of the goals and that was the direction we were moving in. Stuff happens, life happens, injuries occur and unfortunately we haven’t been able to play at the level we have on a consistent basis.
“We’ve played in six best-offive matches and lost five of them. With the parity in our league, every weekend in Canada West means something, that puts us on the outside looking in right now.”
One Dino who has pulled his weight and more is fifth-year outside hitter Curtis Stockton, who is the Canada West kill leader with a total of 329 and an average of 4.70 per set.
“I love the challenge,” said the 6-foot-6 native of Melbourne, Australia. “I enjoy playing volleyball and if I get to touch more volleyballs in a game, I’m going to enjoy that. We have a lot of guys who can execute, but it just seems like we’re not being rewarded. I’m getting a fair bit of the offence, which is nice; it’s one way I can contribute.
“I’m also working on other areas of my game where I’m not very strong. I need to contribute more defensively.”
“He’s taken on a lot of responsibility,” Durrant said of Stockton. “His strength is absolutely the attacking part of it. Our offence runs through him. He’s earned the respect of his teammates and the opponents we play. He’s one of the best players in our league right now.”
Upon graduation, Stockton can look forward to suiting up for Australia at the World University Games in Chinese Taipei, as well as pursuing professional volleyball in Europe, for which he’s just signed an agent.
But as this is his final year of eligibility, he would like nothing better than to have this underachieving Dinos’ squad back in the playoff picture.
“We’ve gone into a lot of five-set games with a lot of teams and have been very close to beating them,” he said. “If we had won even a couple, we’d be sitting fourth or third in the conference. We’re doing the right things and we’re working very hard. It’s a little disappointing that we haven’t come out with as many wins as I thought we would. We’re still in the playoff hunt, four of six at homes, so it’s not out of our reach. It’s a very positive lockerroom in my mind.
“I’ve played college and university ball for five years and I’ve yet to make it to a single national championship scenario and I’d love for that to happen this year. But I can’t be looking at that. I have to look at Saskatchewan this weekend and then moving forward. ”