The University of British Columbia Athletics

VANCOUVER - Youth will be served up by the UBC Thunderbirds men's volleyball team this year following the departure of seven fifth year players from last year's roster, including the likes of Second Team Canada West All-Star Robert Bennett, Cary Brett, and Joseph Cordonier. Despite the loss of veteran leadership, head coach Richard Schick is confident this year's team has the ability to improve on last year's 10-10 conference record.
 
"This is a talented young group," said Schick in his 10^th season as head coach at UBC. "There will definitely be some growing pains along the way but we feel we have the pieces in place to be able to compete with anyone. It will be interesting to see how we fit in in the early going, but our expectations are high and getting back to the CIS Championships is the number one goal."
 
Playing in the ultra competitive Canada West conference UBC was ranked in the CIS Top 10 the entire 2011-12 season, reaching as high as number four in the nation. After a 6-1 start to the year, the team faltered down the stretch going 4-9 to finish .500 during the regular season. In the playoffs they were bounced in the opening round, losing 2-0 to the University of Alberta, who eventually went on to finish 6^th at nationals.
 
How good exactly is the Canada West? The last 18 national champions have come from the conference.
 
"I don't know any other way then to be in a high intensity, competitive conference," said Schick. "I've played in the Canada West, coached in the Canada West and it's the way you want it to be all the time. You know if you can come out of this conference you have an outstanding chance of taking home a national title."
 
Last year, their schedule got progressively tougher as the season went along. This year they will be challenged right out of the gate, getting the opportunity to see how they stack up against the country's best. They will take on the University of Manitoba at the Thunderball Tournament on October 19 and then the first two weeks of the regular season are against the two time defending national champions from Trinity Western University and perennial powerhouse, the University of Alberta.
 
"Some coach's may prefer a bit lighter schedule to start the year, but I like the way we set up in terms of who we play right off the hop," said Schick. "We will be tested right off the bat and it will be pretty clear where we stand compared to a couple of the top teams in the country."
 
Schick needn't look any further then his crop of second players to set the tone both on and off the court. The group includes three members from Canada's indoor national junior team, Jarrid Ireland (Winnipeg, MB), Milan Nikic (Calgary, AB), and Alex Russell (Surrey, BC), as well as Ben Chow (Surrey, BC) who represented Canada at this year's World Junior Beach Volleyball Championships.
 
"The experience they received this summer playing for their country is invaluable, but it's important that they share what they have learned with their teammates," said Schick. "These guys will be looked upon to not only be consistent performers but to also provide leadership both on and off the court."
 
Chow, a member of the CIS All-Rookie team in 2010-11, is back after missing last season due to shoulder surgery. He joins 2011-12 CIS All-Rookie team member Ireland as two of UBC's biggest weapons on the outside. Noah Derksen (Winnipeg, MB) is another member of the second-year class and expects to be an impact player on the outside along with fifth-year veteran David Zeyha (Grande Prairie, AB), second year Robert Gotch (Okotoks, AB) and Gabriel Aaron (West Vancouver, BC) who is entering his first year of eligibility after red shirting last season.
 
"The return of Ben Chow to the line up gives us another dimension," said Schick. "In the past we have been strong defensively, blocking at the net, and with our defense behind the block, but there has been an inability to put the ball away, to finish. With many of our players playing throughout the off season (either with the National Team, on the beach or their respective Provincial Teams) the guys have come back much stronger than they where when we left off last April."
 
Manning the middle of the court will be the 6'10 twin towers Russell and Parker Jobin (Grand Prairie, AB), as well as the likes of Jeff Ross (North Battleford, BC), Chris Howe (Salt Spring Island, BC), and Mac McNicol (Calgary, AB) who is the only true freshman on the team. Ross red shirted with the 'Birds last season while Howe transferred from UBC-Okanagan after taking last season off.
 
Milan Nikic will handle the setting duties and will be backed up by NAIT transfer Austin Hinchey (Edmonton, AB). Hinchey is a unique story of determination and perseverance; having suffered from brittle bone disease he had his left leg amputated below the knee at the age of 10. He has been a member of Canada's Paralympic (sitting) National team since 2007.
 
Last season Ian Perry (Abbotsford, BC) led the Canada West in digs, averaging 3.58 digs per set. He is back for his third year and relied on heavily to set the defensive tone for the Thunderbirds.  "Ian has really stepped up and taken a leadership role with this team.  He's a fierce competitor and is a guy who leads by his hard work and determination."
 
The team is rounded out by Red Deer College transfer Quentin Schmidt (Calgary, AB), and Will Bremner (Calgary, AB) who previously played at Dalhousie University and will red shirt this year.  "Quentin is a guy who we've had our eye on for the past three years.  There haven't been many guys who can make an immediate impact coming from college to the CIS game but we feel Quentin has the tools to be able to contribute to our outside attack right away."
 
"We need to take steps in the right direction," said Schick. "Everybody has be working hard, we are focused on the goal, and are eager to get things started."
 
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