Defending CW Champs ranked first to open 2023/24 season

The defending Canada West Champions open conference play on Friday night. The Bears captured their 14th conference title last March, before placing fourth at the U SPORTS Championship. Even turning over a large chunk of their starting lineup, the Bears enter the season ranked #1 in the coaches poll. 

Among the key returners for the Bears will be Isaac Heslinga and Jacob Sargent, both of whom played for Team Canada’s Junior squad this summer, including at the NORCECA Final 6 in Edmonton. 

The Bears will be without U SPORTS Player of the Year Jordan Canham, setter Cam Kern, and libero Landon Currie, all of whom signed professional contracts in Europe this summer. 

“Leadership will be key for the Bears this year. We have a very focused group top to bottom,” says Golden Bears head coach Brock Davidiuk. “A number of athletes had very strong summers in this area with their respective national teams. Isaac Heslinga was captain of Team Canada’s Final 6 squad, Jacob Sargent was captain of Team Canada’s Jr. National Team and Billy Johnstone was assistant captain of New Zealand’s Sr. National Team. I’m excited to see how these individuals will step up to lead the team along with several other athletes who have been embodying our values.”

Fans can catch all the action through the new look CanadaWest.TV, which now allows fans to watch games on popular Connected TV apps like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV.

2023/24 CW MVB PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Team – Points (First-place votes)

1. Alberta Golden Bears – 133 (5)
2. Mount Royal Cougars – 129 (5)
3. Trinity Western Spartans – 126 (1)
4. UBC Thunderbirds – 114 (1)
5. Winnipeg Wesmen – 91
6. Calgary Dinos – 88 (1)
7. Brandon Bobcats – 74
8. Saskatchewan Huskies – 71
9. Manitoba Bisons – 66
10. Thompson Rivers WolfPack – 43
11. Fraser Valley Cascades – 36
12. UBCO Heat – 30
13. MacEwan Griffins – 13

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS SEASON PREVIEW

2022/23 CW regular season record: /22-2/, 1st in CW Central
2022/23 post-season record: /6-2/, Canada West Champions, Lost U SPORTS bronze vs McMaster
Head Coach: Brock Davidiuk, 5th season
 
Last CW championship / total CW championships: 2022/23 / 14
Last U SPORTS championship / total U SPORTS championships: 2021/22 / 9
 
2022/23 CW regular season ranks:
Offence: 16.2 points/set – 1st
Defence: 2.02 blocks/set – 6th
 
2022/23 CW regular season leaders (returning):
Kills: 259 – Isaac Heslinga, Outside Hitter
Assists: 24 – Isaac Heslinga, Outside Hitter
Digs: 116 – Isaac Heslinga, Outside Hitter
Blocks: 80 – Billy Johnstone, Middle
Hitting percentage: .447, Billy Johnstone, Middle
 
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Dylan Martens / Outside / 1st year / Winnipeg, MB / 204 Volleyball Club
Ronan Huth / Setter / 1st year / Edmonton, AB / National Excellence Program
Trent Cherewaty / Middle / 1st year / Mulmur, ON / Barrie Volleyball Club
 
Key performer
Isaac Heslinga
Outside
3rd Year
Orangeville, AB
 
2022/23 Stats: 259 kills, 24 aces, 116 digs, 42.0 blocks

With the graduation of a large portion of their roster who helped them capture the 2022 U SPORTS championship and 2023 Canada West titles, it will be a youth movement for the Bears in 23/24. Leading the new version of the Bears is star outside hitter, Isaac Heslinga.

Heslinga competed for Team Canada at the NORCECA Final 6, and at the Pan American Cup this summer, and is expected to be the focal point of the Bears attack this season.