Posted: Oct 27, 2022

MCAC Men’s Volleyball – 2022-23 Season Preview

This year, the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC) men's volleyball championship is handed out and the conference champion now advances to the Nationals as being MCAC's second ever representative at Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men's Volleyball Championship hosted by Humber College in Etobicoke, ON from March 8-11, 2023.

In 2021-22, Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) Blazers defended their MCAC championship won back in the 2019-20 season and now seek a three-peat. The other three MCAC men's volleyball teams will compete for the conference title on the court during the 2022-23 season.

Assiniboine Community College (ACC) Cougars

Head coach: Joel Small, 10th year

Keys for the team:

Key Additions: Ryden Hargreaves

Key Returnee: Carter Beattie, Vaughn Zimmer

Number of total team members to start the season: 15

Record and MCAC championship history:

2021-22 MCAC regular season record and placing: 4-12; T-3rd place in regular season; MCAC Semi Finalists (3-1 lost over PUC in semis)

Last MCAC championship: none

Total MCAC championships (since 2000-01): 0

Season Preview with head coach comments:

How was the off-season for your team "We had a good off season with lots of open training for new recruits."
What games does the coach feel will be a challenge and/or circled on the calendar "We are looking forward to each game as the league seems like it will be very tight and each game will be a good battle."
What are the challenges they expect with the season "The challenge of travel and players being in trades programs is always tough for our team."
What are the team goals, expectations for the upcoming season /looking forward to "Our team goal is to make it to Nationals."
Please name a key performer for this upcoming year and why "We have a well rounded team and will lean on some of our older players for calm efficient play. Vaughn Zimmer, Carter Beattie, Nolan Slate, Josh Buddach will all have big roles this season."
Who is your team captains this year Austin Steele, Vaughn Zimmer, Josh Buddach
A comment/quote from the head coach "We can't wait to get started, we had some good preseason competition and are looking to showcase our skill and depth this season."

Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) Blazers

Head coach: Don Dulder, 9th year

Keys for the team:

Key Additions: Albert Francisco (Left Side/Libero), Adrian Bernardo (Right Side/Middle), Seth Anderson (Left Side/Right Side), Mika Feilberg (Left Side/Right Side)

Key Returnee: Tim Juvonen (Setter),Cam Gayleard (Left Side), Josh Werbiski (Middle)

Key Losses: Matt Page (Right Side)

Number of total team members to start the season: 14

Record and MCAC championship history:

2021-22 MCAC regular season record and placing: 12-4; T-1st place in regular season; MCAC Champions (3-0 win over USB in semis; 3-1 win over PUC in Championship Final)

Last MCAC championship: 2021-22

Total MCAC championships (since 2000-01): 4 (2016-17, 2017-18, 2019-20, 2021-22)

Season Preview with head coach comments:

How was the off-season for your team "The team did a lot of strength training as well as training Sunday evenings in the gym."

What games does the coach look forward to most "All teams are very strong but I suppose we look most forward to our matches against Providence College."
What games does the coach feel will be a challenge and/or circled on the calendar "Our matches with Providence College."

What does the coach expect from the League this year (i.e. competition, teams to watch for, etc.) "The league has a lot of parity. We need to be up for every opponent. Need to stay focused."
What are the team goals, expectations for the upcoming season /looking forward to "We want to win the MCAC and go to Nationals and perform better than last year."
Please name a key performer for this upcoming year and why "Our setter Tim Juvonen is our key performer. He runs our offense and is key to our success."

Who is your team captains this year Tim Juvonen (Setter), Cam Gayleard (Left Side), Josh Werbiski (Middle)
A comment/quote from the head coach "We saw at Nationals that we need to get our level of play higher to be successful at Nationals."

Providence University College (PUC) Pilots

Head coach: Cody Quiring, 3rd year

Keys for the team:

Key Additions: All eight first years coming to Providence from across Canada and the world play a key role with the program

Key Returnee: All seven returning veterans play a vital role in the program

Key Losses: Leftsides Austin Anderson, Jonas Friesen; Setter Adrian Kalyniuk, Middle Blocker Tyler Klassen

Number of total team members to start the season: 15

Record and MCAC championship history:

2021-22 MCAC regular season record and placing: 12-4; T-1st place in regular season; MCAC Finalists (3-1 win over ACC in semis; 3-1 lost over CMU in Championship Final)

Last MCAC championship: 2018-19

Total MCAC championships (since 2000-01): 5 (2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2015-16, 2018-19)

Season Preview with head coach comments:

How was the off-season for your team "The off-season was a productive opportunity to complete filling out our roster with young men who fit our program. From the coaching staffs perspective, it has been exciting to watch the team bonding happening and the on court progress that the team members have been engaged with."
What games does the coach look forward to most "Each one."
What games does the coach feel will be a challenge and/or circled on the calendar "Our home opener at our magnificent facility in Niverville in front of our large and supportive home crowd is always circled on the calendar and should be an excellent battle."
What does the coach expect from the League this year (i.e. competition, teams to watch for, etc.) "We believe each member of the MCAC will be ultra competitive this season and we look forward to strong caliber from day one to the MCAC championships."
What are the challenges they expect with the season "It is a young Providence team so we anticipate some new and fresh opportunities to learn from as the season progresses. The health, load management and well being of our team from September through to March is on top of mind."
What are the team goals, expectations for the upcoming season /looking forward to "We look forward to competing each and every opportunity alongside one another. We expect to compete at a high level each chance we get, to contend for a championship, and we look forward to focusing on the process and controlling our controllables."
Please name a key performer for this upcoming year and why "We are excited to watch each individual team member make an impact for the team in their own role this year. Every Pilots MVB student-athlete has the ability to make a unique impact, on and off the court this season."
Who is your team captains this year Captain: Colby Dyck; Assistant Captains: Nate Martin and Nicholas Friesen
A comment/quote from your captain or returning player "This year has been super exciting already as we have gotten to see growth as individuals but also as a whole. Getting to start playing conference games soon is going to be a really awesome experience, to be fire tested. As a group, the roof is extremely high but our role will be to put in the time, and I believe we will be able to do that." – 2nd year Captain, Colby Dyck
A comment/quote from the head coach "Character. This group of young men radiate strong character, on and off the floor. It's outstanding. Their dedication, focus and joy they bring to the practice environment each day is encouraging. The growth we have seen in the first six weeks of the season is a solid and I look forward to seeing our group push each other every week to continue our growth trajectory."

Université de Saint-Boniface (USB) Les Rouges

Head coach: Connor Markesteyn, 1st year

Keys for the team:

Key Additions: Riel Guénette (Libero), Nolan Houde (Setter), Kaylen Nordick (Middle)

Key Returnee: Dries Demare (Opposite), Kaylen Desmarais-Joseph (Left Side), Marc Grant (Left Side)

Key Losses: Caleb Dupras (Middle)

Number of total team members to start the season: 16

Record and MCAC championship history:

2021-22 MCAC regular season record and placing: 4-12; T-3rd place in regular season; MCAC Semi Finalists (3-0 lost over CMU in semis)

Last MCAC championship: 2005-06

Total MCAC championships (since 2000-01): 1 (2005-06)

Season Preview with head coach comments:

How was the off-season for your team "This past off-season was great for our group. Last years head coach and returning player Riel organized training throughout the summer. The guys improved on and off the court. Many guys were able to use the time to recover from injuries that plagued them at the end of last season."

What games does the coach look forward to most "I am looking forward to our home opener the most, it will be a great opportunity for the team to show their improvement since last season. It will also be a chance for us as a coaching staff to truly assess our strengths and weaknesses."
What games does the coach feel will be a challenge and/or circled on the calendar "I think we will face many challenges this season. I wouldn't say there is a specific game I have circled. I think each game presents a new challenge and I am looking forward to how our team can learn and respond from each game this year."
What does the coach expect from the League this year (i.e. competition, teams to watch for, etc.) "I think the league will be closely matched this year. As in previous years any team, 1 through 4 can win a game on any given night. I think whichever team can perform their best on a consistent basis will be the team to beat."
What are the challenges they expect with the season "I expect health to play a factor this year, injures happen and how well guys can play their roles and fill others when asked will determine a lot of our success this year. I also expect that the return to pre-Covid competition will have an impact early on as teams re-adjust to normal competition."
What are the team goals, expectations for the upcoming season /looking forward to "Our teams goals for the year are to improve week to week, to become closer as a team and to create an environment that will give everyone the opportunity to improve as players and people."
Please name a key performer for this upcoming year and why Colin Léger Left Side – "Colin will have an opportunity to make an instant impact on the court. He will be asked to carry a lot of the load offensively. His athleticism will set him apart from many players in the league."
Who is your team captains this year Marc Grant (Left Side), Dries Demare (Opposite), Riel Guénette (Libero), Kaylen Desmarais-Joseph (Left Side)
A comment/quote from your captain or returning player "After a disappointing end to last season, our belief in ourselves and desire to prove any doubters wrong fuels us to improve. With the new additions to our roster being a great match for our team dynamic, we are excited to make a statement in this highly competitive league. One of our goals for the year is to represent the University of St. Boniface as best we can." – Marc Grant
A comment/quote from the head coach "The work ethic shown by this group of young men has been nothing short of impressive. The habits they are building will lead them to accomplishing any goals they set. I am looking forward to watching this group grow throughout the year."