Staff
Everyone new is old again.
It’s a bit of a twist on the old line, but appropriate when speaking about a good portion of the Muskie senior boys’ volleyball team in relation to co-coaches John Gibson and Jason Cain.
“Jason and I coached much of this group as juniors and now they’ve become seniors,” Gibson noted as the squad practised in preparation for its NorWOSSA regular-season opener this Tuesday (Sept. 19) in Kenora against the Broncos.
“We had a really good result when we coached them as juniors and we expect the same from them this year,” he added.
Reigning team MVP Aaron Bujold, also last year’s Muskie male athlete-of-the-year, spearheads the corps of returning players.
He’s joined in the experience department by Kobi Ward, Justin Angus, Brandon Larson, Hunter Brown, Ben Smith, and Cole Allan.
The rookies feature a pair of Grade 12 players coming from two different angles.
Nick Wepruk last played as a junior Muskie in Grade 10 while Wyatt Jackson was a member of the Rainy River Owls’ senior boys’ squad last year.
The rest of the rookies are Grade 11s in Ryan Stewart, Joseph Dueck, Maverick Smith, Austin Armstrong, and Jreydon Indian.
Stewart particularly has impressed so far in stepping up to the senior level.
“He’s a little rough around the edges but he works hard and he’s got great speed,” lauded Gibson.
Solidifying positions for each player probably won’t take place until after the team’s appearance at the Kenora Broncos’ home tournament Sept. 22-23.
“Everyone’s going to get playing time and that will give us an indication of where we’re at,” Gibson said.
