Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – There's something to be said for the inherent chemistry that comes with recruiting several players from the same club volleyball team.
Among MacEwan Griffins head coach Brad Poplawski's 2020-21 recruiting class are three members of locally-based powerhouse FOG 18U – a squad he notes would have had a chance at a national title if not for COVID-19 putting the brakes on the club season.
Libero Ryan Wasylyshyn (Arts) and middles Carsten Bergeron (Science) and Jonah Karsten (Commerce) are joining their FOG teammate Olamide Ajayi – a MacEwan rookie in 2019-20 – on the Griffins.
"They won 17U nationals last year and brought in some new players," said Poplawski. "Ola, from our team, was still young enough, so once our season was over he went back and played for them. Ola knows these guys quite well. They've been teammates of his for a number of years.
"I did ask Ola some questions because he's played with these guys and he just raved about the three teammates coming in. He was a good resource for me, as well."
After Australian libero David Morgan graduated from MacEwan in 2020, Poplawski was on the hunt to add another talent to the position with second-years Nolan Shannon and Daniel Hebert. Enter Wasylyshyn, who impressed the coach with his length (6-foot-1) and speed.
"David kind of solidified that spot for us the last few years and I was really happy to have him with our program," said Poplawski. "Best of luck moving forward with his career. The timing worked really well for him to graduate. We have a few guys that play that position, as well, but I think Ryan – coming from that club program – has a lot of experience.
"He has decent size for a libero with long arms and covers a lot of court," he added. "I really like his passing, his defence is quite good. I saw him play a fair bit with his high school. Everyone I talk to – all his old coaches – just rave about him. I'm excited to have Ryan commit to the program and work with us and develop."
Checking in at 6-foot-5, Carsten Bergeron has the physical tools to be a force for the Griffins in the middle (photo supplied).
Bergeron, a Clyde, Alta. product out of RF Staples high school, stands 6-foot-5 and will bring a physical presence to the middle of the court for the Griffins.
"He's physical and has size," said Poplawski. "He's one of those guys you see who fits the mould of how I want our middle position to look. I like the way Carsten moves along the net, I like his arm.
"He's a guy who played some outside on his high school team, so he has some versatility. Seeing him play in club, he was a real force at the net and a guy they'd set the ball to at important times. I thought he really influenced the game positively from that middle position."
Jonah Karsten brings athleticism and solid size (6-foot-5) to the middle blocker position for the Griffins (photo supplied).
Karsten, a product of Sherwood Park's Archbishop Jordan, also stands 6-foot-5 and has the potential to be a force in the middle for the Griffins, as well.
"He has decent size, a good arm and he's an athletic player," said Poplawski. "Like most of our new guys, he needs to get stronger, but the way this year's looking we're probably going to have an opportunity to hit the gym a lot.
"I like the way he moves along the net. That's the thing you look for in middles is how they're reading the play and I think he does a good job of that. I think his athleticism stands out."
And the fact they all played together in club can only be a boon to the Griffins as they mature and get on the court together. Chemistry is a big thing in volleyball.
"When I brought them on their recruiting visits, they all mentioned each other," said Poplawski. "Athletes want to know who they're going to be teammates with for hopefully the next five years. In these uncertain times, it does help to have a little familiarity for these guys.
"(Previously announced recruit) Mason Natras wasn't on that team, but he's in the same boat as good friends with all these guys. I think our recruiting class has a lot of familiarity with each other, which I'm hoping will help."
