It’s not a rebuilding season for the defending champion Holy Trinity Academy Knights senior boys volleyball team, it’s a rebuilding few months.
“I’m excited about this year’s team, they did extremely well in that exhibition game against Foothills,” said Knights coach Fritz Peters. “Our Grade 10s were extremely nervous, but I told them I don’t care how we start, I care about the finish.”
The veteran-laden Knights’ 2016 team won the 4A South Central zones and Foothills Athletic Council championships.
This year’s squad proved they can hold their own with the best in the council by tying the Foothills Falcons 2-2 in a jam-packed Comp gym at an exhibition match on Sept. 8.
The three Grade 10 players, power Noah Gutek, power Yvan Janaban and setter Calvin Herr, will receive some help from the Knights’ trio of returning players. They are big hitter Ryan Peters, power/middle Isaiah Michel and setter Lucas Hinger.
Hinger is learning along with the rookies — he has switched to setter after playing in the left side at both club volleyball and with HTA last year.
“I think I set a bit when I was in Grade 7 but that was the last time — it is a completely different position,” Hinger said. “As a power, you just pass, hit and block. As setter you are always second on the ball — you are involved in almost every play.”
There are benefits to having a setter who can hit like Thor’s hammer.
It may allow a 2-6 offence in the Knights’ near future — two setters and more confusion for the opposition.
“We are still developing Calvin, but that’s a lot of pressure for a Grade 10 student,” coach Fritz Peters said. “If Calvin can develop, we can use Lucas more as a hitter.”
So far, the young Knights have shown their mettle to the veteran hitter Peters.
Ryan Peters was singing the praises of the young Knights in their effort against Foothills.
“They definitely hustle and make an effort to get to every ball,” Peters said. “They are sprawling out on the floor and that is really good to see.”
There’s a dual role with the Knights for the Grade 12 Peters.
“I want to help the new guys get accustomed to their roles,” Ryan said.
His other role is to produce more big hits than Drake.
“Hitting is a lot of fun, so yeah,” he said with a chuckle.
Ryan earned the praises of Foothills Falcons coaches Matt Armstrong and Brett Carter for his hitting prowess against the Comp.
Michel said he will have more of a leadership role this season and possibly attack more.
“Last year, I wasn’t part of the killing— I didn’t make a lot of points, but I also didn’t give up a lot of points,” Michel said. “I see us as sort of development team, but I think we can pull through to get to provincials.”
He added it will be up to the three returning players to lead by example — don’t make mistakes.
“We have to keep our mistakes to a minimum,” he said, who plays club with Foothills Volleyball Club.
The Knights will open their tourney season at the Drillers Tournament Sept. 22-23 in Black Diamond. Other local schools include the Stratchona-Tweedsmuir Spartans and the Brant Christian School Eagles.
The Knights open their Foothills Athletic Council season on Sept. 26 when they host the High River’s Highwood Mustangs at 6 p.m.
