Familiar Husky face returns as top dog to coach volleyball
Joel Dyck looks as if he should be in the starting lineup of the University of Saskatchewan men’s volleyball team instead of being the one who is in charge of filling out the card.
In fact he was in the starting lineup for the Huskies volleyball team just a couple of years ago.
But now, the 26-year-old Dyck is one of the youngest head coaches ever at the U of S after becoming the men’s volleyball team’s interim coach while current head coach Brian Gavlas is on a professional leave of absence.
“I love this opportunity and would love to do this full-time,” said Dyck, who saw his team open the season at home Friday night against the UBC Thunderbirds.
As a player Dyck spent four seasons in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference with Briercrest College before joining the Huskies in 201213 where he started in 23 matches recording 97 kills and 105 digs.
“It worked out that I was able to play my last year here and I also got involved in coaching in the club system that year,” Dyck said of his quick transition to coaching.
“I wanted to be a teacher and that’s why I came here to finish my schooling,” he explains. “When I got into coaching I realized I really liked it.”
He was back in the Huskie fold as an assistant coach beginning in the 2013-14 season and this past January became the Saskatchewan volleyball men’s high performance coach.
He is taking over a program that is on the upswing with the Huskies currently ranked No. 8 in the nation.
“I am fortunate our program has been re-established as one of the top programs in the country,” Dyck said. “Brian Gavlas has done a great job re-establishing that. I’ve learned a lot under the mentorship of Brian. I do things a little bit differently, but we’re not changing anything drastically.
“It is also helpful having worked with the guys for the last couple of years. You know what you have and they have a familiar face too (as head coach).”
The Huskies are led by fifth-year middle blocker and captain Tyler Epp, who was a raw rookie the year Dyck played for the Dogs, and fellow veteran fifth-year players Andrew Nelson (outside hitter) and Zach Rempel (outside hitter).
The Dogs will need those three to step up and help replace Jordan Nowakowski who led the team last year in kills and digs, and also their top blocker, Robert Graham.
“We have a good core of veterans and a pretty good group of rookies who are looking to learn the culture and hopefully take over in years to come,” Dyck said of this year’s edition.
“We always strive to be a strong defensive team and we are physical. I told the guys we are not going to lose any of our games because of our size.
“We need to enhance our defence, and if that happens I think we can be one of the best.”
And he’s looking forward to the challenge of coaching at the CIS level.
“I think I’m a pretty calm person and pretty confident — hopefully not overconfident — so I’m not too nervous. I’m just looking forward to the opportunity,” Dyck said.
The Huskies and T-Birds are back on the court Saturday night at The PAC with the women starting at 6 p.m. and the men at 8 p.m.
OTHER HUSKIE HOME GAMES
The Huskie women’s soccer team host the Regina Cougars in a divisional playoff game Saturday at noon, Field 7 at PotashCorp Park. The winner advances to the Canada West Select Six next weekend.
The No. 4 ranked men’s hockey team is hosting the Regina Cougars, 7 p.m. at Rutherford Rink.