A communicator and motivator, libero Josh Jehle a key presence for ‘Zoons in career year

In the sport of volleyball, mindset plays a massive factor. Every team has great players who are capable of putting down a kill, collecting a dig or ace, or getting a block. It’s between points, when the group comes together, that can make or break a match. 
 
Even when things don’t go a certain way, or the opposition goes on a run, staying present-minded, continuing to lift up your teammates is critical. 
 
For the men’s volleyball program, the player leading the charge in that area is second-year libero Josh Jehle out of the powerhouse Lord Selkirk Royals club and high school program. 
 
“His level of focus is different than any other passers on our team,” admitted captain and long-time teammate and friend Spencer Grahame. 
 
“When he puts his mind to it, which is any serve or rep, he gets the job done.”
 
As a libero, Jehle’s role as communicator and motivator comes naturally. 
 
“Lots of guys have to think about passing and blocking and setting, or serving. I just have to think about passing and defence,” he said. 
 
“I have a lot more time and brain energy to be loud and call out plays. A big thing is just being loud and directing the back court. I’m learning now at higher levels to take more space on the court, and give the left sides less to think about when they’re passing, or less to worry about and just be the voice out there.”
 
That voice is just as valuable in the huddle. 
 
“I just try to support the guys and stay in their ear. If I see them dropping their head, I’ll be like you’ve got the next one, or head up, that kind of stuff. I think that helps with guys that are hanging onto mistakes for too long,” he noted. 
 
“Also just doing whatever I can to give my guys the best chance to get a kill, whether it’s keeping us in system on free balls or in system on passing, covering lots so if they get blocked I’m trying to get a touch on it. Providing stability in the back court.”

The results, when Manitoba plays with confidence, and “find the fun in playing,” are evident. 
 
The ‘Zoons — right in the thick of the playoff race at 11-7 — own victories over first place Mount Royal (3-1 on November 18 at home), as well as second place UBC (3-1 on January 20 on the road), the latter of which helped snap a combined 36-game win streak for the T-Birds’ hockey, basketball and volleyball teams. 
 
“Going into that second game [against UBC] we kind of just said let’s have fun out there and be relaxed,” said Jehle. 
 
“We’ve got nothing to lose. I think we did that for sure. We came together as a team and connected. It felt different. It felt like we played more freely, loose and relaxed and let the game take care of itself.”
 
Jehle’s certainly done his part on the court to help Manitoba succeed. 
 
The former provincial champ is second in the nation with a career-high 152 digs, including six different matches where he’s posted double digits. 
 
His experience playing for Team Canada’s U21 roster this past summer alongside Grahame, setter Sammy Ludwig and middle Jonah Dueck set the quartet up for success in-season, both as leaders and playmakers. 
 
“Everyone there was very like-minded. That’s the best of the best. There were no days off, working hard every day which I loved. It was great. It was interesting to be in an environment where you’re strictly focused on volleyball, because it’s the summer, no school so it was awesome to only have volleyball every day,” said Jehle.
 
“I also found it very mentally draining, but in a good way. I would come home from practice ready for sleep because the practices were so intense and the coaching was so intense, which was good. It pushed the four or us and everyone on the team to be better.”
 
Tonight, Jehle and company’s energy will be at an all-time high, as they host cross-town rival Winnipeg in the 32nd annual Duckworth Challenge. 
 
Manitoba leads 2-1 after victories in soccer and women’s basketball, and the ‘Zoons will aim to bring the trophy back to the UM campus at 6 pm, followed by the women at 6:45 pm. Last year, the Wesmen beat Manitoba during the challenge. 
 
“We’re coming for them this year after what happened last year. Come out and support, be loud it’ll help us out. We’re going to be ready.”
 
Click here for tickets.