Due to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, many sports programs in the OUA can say that they have young or newly assembled teams, but the Rams men’s volleyball program can certainly be considered one of the youngest teams in the province with an exciting future ahead of them.
Led by head coach Matt Harris and lead assistant coach Niko Rukavina, the 2021-22 squad has 11 players on the roster that have yet to play an OUA game and all reside in their first or second years of eligibility.
“We went to the team locker room to do our normal setup before a game, and 11 guys had never seen it before, so that was kind of eye opening,” shares Rukavina.
Despite the inexperience at the OUA level, Rukavina expresses that having such a large collective of young and hungry players has brought many positives.
“It’s been fun to see the first and second years battle in training because they’re all on an equal playing field. We don’t have a fourth and fifth year set line up, so there are some spots on the court to fill and it’s been fun seeing them pushing each other trying to get one of those spots.”
Another benefit of this situation, according to Rukavina, is the team chemistry that has blossomed so far this preseason.
“I’ve been here for four years, and this is probably the most cohesive team we’ve had in terms of team dynamic on and off the court.”
One of these young players, 2020 recruit Jacob Walker, shares this same sentiment, saying, “I think our team this year is pretty electric! We are a well connected team who spends a lot of time together, which strengthens our bond overtime and I really think it’s going to be an exciting year.”
One recruit that simply cannot go unacknowledged is first-year Alex Lengweiler who joined the Rams this fall after playing the 2020-21 season in the top Swiss professional league with Lindaren Volley Amriswil.
“I think it’s huge,” says Rukavina when asked about the impact Lengweiler will have on the program going forward. “Having anyone that’s played in a professional system before, and having played professionally myself, it’s just a different playing and training environment. He brought that intensity on day one and I think a lot of the guys are taking that and running with it.”
Rukavina also touched on the fact that players of Lengweiler’s caliber are usually OUA veterans who other teams are familiar with, which will not be the case with the Swiss middle-blocker.
“I think a lot of teams are going to play us and be taken aback by how physical and strong he is,” he adds. “When he’s in the front row, we’re really trying to give him the ball as much as possible and let him create some chaos.”
Thanks to Lengweiler’s addition and the return of third-year player Alex King, the Rams look particularly dangerous at the middle position.
“I think we have the best one-two punch of middles in the league right now,” Rukavina voices about the pair.
With a young team like this one, the Rams will be relying heavily on the leadership of more experienced players, with this year’s leaders being setter Saad Shaikh and libero Lhexen Rabit.
“They have a good balance of leadership, Saad being a bit more outgoing and a vocal leader and Lhex being a bit more quiet, empathetic and a leader by example. They play off each other really well,” shares Rukavina. “The coaching staff is using them as a leadership group and it’s been going really well.”
“Emotions are high after not being able to play volleyball during the pandemic but ever since getting back to the gym, we are mostly feeling excited,” expresses Rabit. “They are so fun to be around and have made the transition from being a sophomore to a senior very easy,” he adds when discussing the team.
Looking ahead to the opening game of the season, the Rams head to Kingston to take on defending OUA champions Queen’s. The Gaels are not only a veteran team, but have had two strong recruiting classes since they last played.
“As OUA champions, I think they’re going to have a certain confidence to them that we can play on and catch them by surprise,” admits Rukavina.
“I think some coaches would be a little worried about playing such a top team so early, but I’m pretty excited since it’s going to test our team and see where we’re at.”
The Rams will be playing the Gaels in back to back games this weekend, then will head back to Toronto for their home opener against the York Lions on Saturday, November 13, at 5 p.m.
Fans can purchase tickets for all Rams home games this season, here. Ryerson students, staff, and faculty are free but still need to reserve a ticket in advance of arriving on game day. Utilize the access code RAMS to reserve your free ticket. Health and safety protocols are in place – more information is available at the ticketing website.
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