Men's volleyball start 2017 on a strong note

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: JESSICA CONTANT
With the nationals only a few months away, Fanshawe's men's volleyball are setting their sights high as they start 2017 ranked third in the CCAAs.

After an impressive first half of the season in 2016, Fanshawe’s men’s volleyball has earned a well-deserved spot in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Rankings.

The team, with eight wins and only one loss, has been named third in Canada and first in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) West Division.

“Third ranking is definitively an honour and we are excited to be up there, but ultimately it is just a number and it helps mostly with recruiting future athletes,” said head coach Patrick Johnston. “[It also] builds a little bit of confidence too because the guys know they are being recognized nation-wide.”

At the time of print, the men’s team have the longest active winning streak in their division with four league wins.

“I think all season that the guys knew that they would be the favourites to repeat as champions this year, so I think our biggest obstacle is complacency and getting a bit ahead of ourselves, so the loss to Humber was a blessing in disguise because it forced them to stay humble and get back to working hard,” Johnston said.

To make up such an impressive track record, the team has countless notable athletes.

At the top of the list are three athletes in particular for their scoring records. In first place, James Jackson has 120 kills, seven service aces and 10 block solos.

“This year James Jackson has become an even more dominant force than last year,” Johnston said. “He is always there if we need him…he can score at a pretty good rate.”

Below Jackson, there’s Nate Van Camp with 61 kills and then Mike Liscumb with 35.

Though the team has had a successful year thus far, Johnston wants to make sure the team does not get comfortable where they are.

“[I want them to be] confident, but not cocky,” Johnston said. “Happy but not content was our rallying cry last year…right now they are happy but not content.”