Oak Bay High’s senior boys team is led by a trio of basketball starters, pair of soccer starters and a key rugby player.
What they lack in volleyball experience, the team makes up for in athleticism and competitiveness, says coach Al Carmichael. It helps that three of the starters stand tall at 6-4, 6-5 and 6-6.
“We have very good athletes,” Carmichael says of the team that won Islands last week. “There aren’t too many volleyball specialists … They’re good athletes playing volleyball. They’re good kids – eager to learn. They know how to compete and I think that’s one of the major factors.”
Competitiveness in other sports spills over into volleyball. Most had to develop skills in flexibility and time management to balance school, sports and life in general.
“They’ve been able to manage that, finding the time, fitting it all in and doing well in school,” Carmichael says, particularly of the soccer players, currently in Burnaby for provincials that wrap Saturday (Nov. 25).
The senior boys volleyball team heads for provincials seeded No. 3 in a field where separation among the top 10 is slim, the coach says.. That tournament begins Wednesday (Nov. 29) at the Langley Events Centre.
“I think our team goal is to be in the top four,” Carmichael said. “It won’t be easy because the field is very competitive. In order to do that we have to be playing our best next week.”
@OakBayNews
cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
editor@oakbaynews.com
