MEN’S VOLLEYBALL: LAKERS LOOK DOWN UNDER FOR BOOST IN THE MIDDLE

The Nipissing Lakers men’s volleyball team has looked Down Under for their latest addition.

The Lakers are excited and proud to announce they have signed Trent O’Brien, a middle who will join the program all the way from Adelaide, Australia.

O’Brien is travelling a long way to join the Lakers, but he’s thrilled at the opportunity presented to him with Nipissing.

“This is the first major step in my volleyball career and I am very excited to come and play for the Lakers,” he explained. “The team is moving in a great direction and I am keen to help in that process.”

Making his way to the Lakers from the Henley Hawks, O’Brien will be enrolling in the Environmental and Physical Geology program, earning a Bachelor of Science degree.

The 18-year-old believes his skills and approach to the game will allow him to be successful at the OUA level and contribute to the success of the Lakers program.

“I am an extremely competitive player and person in general. I understand the job of a middle and how my hard work can help others on the team,” O’Brien said. “I am driven to be the best player I can possibly be on offence as well as on defense. I would say my biggest strength as a player is my offence and hitting ability.”

While the last few seasons have been derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic, limiting O’Brien’s exposure, he has been able to compile an impressive volleyball resume.

He has been selected in an Australian youth tour of Thailand and selected to play for his state on multiple occasions.

Lakers head coach Eric Yung knows the commitment that comes with travelling across the world and is excited to work with O’Brien

“We are thrilled to welcome Trent to our program all the way from Australia. Anytime an athlete decides to travel great distances to pursue their goals, you know they will be 100 per cent committed with a purpose,” Yung noted. “I know our Nipissing and North Bay community will welcome Trent with open arms. Trent will be a great addition to our roster as we will be graduating two fifth year middles.

“We believe he will make an immediate impact on the court and we look forward to being a part of his journey,” Yung added.

While Yung is thrilled to add O’Brien, the student-athlete is just as excited to join not only the school, but also athletics as a whole.

“The biggest reason I chose Nipissing was how welcoming and friendly Coach Yung was right from the beginning of the recruiting process. It has made me feel as though I will feel at home in no time,” he said.

O’Brien is aware of the challenges that he will face, moving this far away from home, enrolling in a new school as well as balancing athletics and academics, but he is ready to make the jump and knows he can’t take this opportunity for granted.

“I know the expectations that come when being recruited as an international as these spots are limited, I know that I will put my best foot forward to try and fill these expectations,” O’Brien stated. “I am keen to add my skill set to the team and hopefully advance us forward to new heights in the 2022-2023 season. As for the team always, the goal is to take the championship and prove to the league we are a force to be reckoned with.”