Alberta tops the 2024-25 pre-season coaches poll. Photo by Connor Hood
Oct. 17, 2024 – Can the Alberta Golden Bears be stopped?
That’s the key question as a new Canada West men’s volleyball campaign begins tomorrow evening.
The Golden Bears enter as back-to-back conference champions and are also coming off their tenth national championship in program history. Returning an exceptional core led by U SPORTS Player of the Year Isaac Heslinga, Alberta has unanimously topped the 2024-25 Canada West pre-season coaches poll.
With an experienced roster and many Golden Bears gaining national team experience during the off-season, expectations are sky high as Alberta looks for a three-peat.
“This summer was one of our biggest summers in recent years in terms of National Team participation for the Bears with seven members representing their respective countries,” says head coach Brock Davidiuk, who is entering his sixth season at the helm of the Golden Bears. “This has brought a very high level to our training environment right out of the gates, and I believe will enable us to be quite competitive.”
Alberta and Trinity Western have formed one of the best rivalries in U SPORTS for some time now – and that isn’t changing any time soon. The powerhouse pair have combined for nine of the last ten conference championships, and eight of the last nine U SPORTS national crowns.
Led by fourth year setter Anselm Rein, Trinity Western placed second in the coaches poll and will look to avenge last year’s CW Final defeat to their arch rivals.
“This year we are looking to serve in at a higher rate and reduce our unforced errors,” says Spartans head coach Adam Schriemer. “Consistency will be key in the tough Canada West schedule. We are looking forward to being pushed every weekend by our quality opponents.”
On the west coast, the UBC Thunderbirds believe they’re ready to take a step forward after claiming Canada West and U SPORTS bronze last year.
“We know Canada West looks to be as strong and as deep as ever,” says head coach Michael Hawkins, who was a member of Team Canada’s men’s volleyball coaching staff at the Paris Olympics this past summer. “We will rely heavily on the experience of Mason Greves, Logan Greves, and Reeve Gingera to build off the season they had last year and have strong expectations for how Gavin Moes can make his imprint in his second full Canada West season.”
Meanwhile on the prairies, the Brandon Bobcats will look to make some noise as the host of the 2025 U SPORTS men’s volleyball national championships. The Bobcats ranked seventh in the CW pre-season poll and will look to exceed expectations with a veteran core led by the trio of Riley Grusing, Philip Lauter and JJ Love.
The Canada West regular season runs through Feb. 15, with playoffs starting on Feb. 21.
The postseason will culminate in a “Final Four” format beginning March 8.
Fans can catch all the action on CanadaWest.TV, which now allows fans to watch games on popular Connected TV apps like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Roku. Regular season sport passes are available for $39.99.
For the complete Canada West men’s volleyball schedule, click here.
To view CW men’s volleyball history and records, click here.
Alberta won its second straight CW title last year. Photo by Connor Hood.
2024-25 CW MVB PRE-SEASON COACHES POLL
Team – Points (First-place votes)
Alberta Golden Bears – 144 (12)
Trinity Western Spartans – 128 (1)
UBC Thunderbirds – 116
Winnipeg Wesmen – 101
Manitoba Bisons – 92
Saskatchewan Huskies – 91
Brandon Bobcats – 90
Calgary Dinos – 61
Mount Royal Cougars – 49
Thompson Rivers WolfPack – 48
Fraser Valley Cascades – 40
UBC Okanagan Heat – 33
MacEwan Griffins – 21
Team by Team Previews
Alberta Golden Bears
2024-25 Coaches Poll Rank: #1
From the coach: “This summer was one of our biggest summers in recent years in terms of National Team participation for the Bears with seven members representing their respective countries. Three athletes were with the Indoor Team Canada (Heslinga, Martens, Cherewaty), two Athletes were with Beach Team Canada (Sargent, Espedido) and two of our athletes were with Indoor Team Australia (Besirevic, Page). This has brought a very high level to our training environment right out of the gates, and I believe will enable us to be quite competitive.” -Head Coach Brock Davidiuk
Key Performer: Isaac Heslinga Outside Hitter 4th Year Hometown: Orangeville, Ont.
Coming off one of the most impressive seasons by any Golden Bear in program history, Isaac Heslinga will once again be the anchor of a team trying to repeat as champions.
Heslinga won nearly every award imaginable in 2024, as he was named the CW and U SPORTS Player of the Year, U SPORTS Championship MVP, and the Canada West Athlete of the Year. If he is able to lead the Bears to another conference and national title, he will put his name among the best Bears of all time.
Trinity Western Spartans
2024-25 Coaches Poll Rank: #2
From the coach: “This year we are looking to serve in at a higher rate and reduce our unforced errors. Consistency will be key in the tough Canada West schedule. We are looking forward to being pushed every weekend by our quality opponents.” -Head Coach Adam Schriemer
Key Performer: Anselm Rein Setter 4th Year Hometown: Erfurt, Germany
Anselm was second-team Canada West last year and is the heartbeat of the Spartans. His ability to impact the game in many areas is a strength, having led the conference in assists, and aces. Anselm’s leadership is also key to the opportunity that Trinity Western has to be a great team this year.
UBC Thunderbirds
2024-25 Coaches Poll Rank: #3
From the coach: “We are excited to be returning many members of the U SPORTS and Canada West bronze medal team from last season, however, we know the Canada West looks to be as strong and as deep as ever. We will rely heavily on the experience of Mason Greves, Logan Greves, and Reeve Gingera to build off the season they had last year and have strong expectations for how Gavin Moes can make his imprint in his second full Canada West season.” -Head Coach Michael Hawkins
Logan Greves returns for his fourth season as a Thunderbird after winning the 2023-24 Canada West Libero of the Year. The conference leader in digs and digs per set, Logan’s ability to make an accurate first pass to his twin brother, Thunderbirds setter Mason Greves, is the often overlooked catalyst of the T-Birds offence.
Logan battled injuries late last season and the team looked completely different without him, but his return sparked a remarkable playoff run that saw UBC outperform their seed in both the Canada West playoffs and U SPORTS Championships, earning both the conference and national bronze medal.
Winnipeg Wesmen
2024-25 Coaches Poll Rank: #4
From the coach: “Having lost many starters from last season, our team will have a different look. It will be hard to give an accurate indication of how our team will do this early, especially with a new coach. The key to our success will be to remain consistent with our serve and reception.“ -Head Coach Chris Voth
One of the most dynamic attackers in the country, Isaiah Olfert returns for his second season with the Wesmen. He was second in the conference in aces a season ago and sixth in kills and kills per set. He will be the driving force behind the Wesmen success under interim head coach Chris Voth.
Manitoba Bisons
2024-25 Coaches Poll Rank: #5
From the coach: “Our team is looking strong this season, with a great mix of experienced players and young talent ready to make an impact. We haven’t lost any players from last year’s successful second half, and we’re hoping to build on the growth we showed toward the end of the season. The key to our success will be maintaining consistency and discipline in crucial moments. If we can execute our game plans and continue to strengthen team chemistry, I’m confident we can compete at a high level all season long.” -Head Coach Arnd Ludwig
Key Performer: Spencer Grahame Left Side 4th Year Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.
Veteran left side Spencer Grahame enters 2024-25 coming off a career year that saw him set personal bests in total kills (329), aces (19), digs (116) and points (359). An experienced leader on the floor and Team Canada veteran, Grahame’s vocal presence and six-row hitting ability will make him one of the conference’s most dangerous attackers, while his defence has grown exponentially over the years.
Saskatchewan Huskies
2024-25 Coaches Poll Rank: #6
From the coach: “Almost all of last year’s young core is back with another year of experience under their belts. We are looking forward to the physicality in the middle of the court and the skill on the outside helping us improve on last year’s performance.” -Head Coach Sean McKay
Key Performer: Jacob Baird Middle 2nd Year Hometown: Brisbane, Australia
Baird was a U SPORTS all-rookie team member last year. Coming off a great summer with the Australian national team, he’ll be looking to cement himself as a top middle in the conference.
Brandon Bobcats
2024-25 Coaches Poll Rank: #7
From the coach: “A Bobcat team that has some depth and knows they will be playing late in the season as they host the U SPORTS National Championships in March. We’ll be led by veteran players: Riley Grusing, Philip Lauter and JJ Love. The Bobcats will be a competitive team that looks for continued development to set themselves up to make some noise on their home court in March.” -Head Coach Grant Wilson
Key Performer: Riley Grusing Right Side 5th Year Hometown: Bragg Creek, Alta.
The lone fifth year on the Bobcats has steadily improved his overall performance since transferring from SAIT in the covid cancelled season. He will factor significantly into this year’s lineup as the Bobcats prepare to host the 2025 U SPORTS national championship.
Grusing knows it will be a fight each and every night in the ultra competitive Canada West conference as he looks to lift the Bobcats to the team’s first Canada West final appearance since 2019.
Calgary Dinos
2024-25 Coaches Poll Rank: #8
From the coach: “We are looking forward to competing with the teams in the Canada West and excited to see our team grow this season” -Head Coach Graham Vigrass
Key Performer: Louis Kunstmann Middle 4th Year Hometown: Neuenhain, Germany
Louis Kunstmann is one of four returning Dinos who played in all 24 conference matches a season ago. Now entering his fourth year, the Neuenhain, Germany native will be leaned upon heavily as Calgary has the fortune of returning the majority of its roster from a season ago.
Mount Royal Cougars
2024-25 Coaches Poll Rank: #9
From the coach: “Following the 23-24 season, our program experienced significant turnover. We have eight new additions to our program. 10 of our 15 student-athletes are in their 1st and 2nd year. The key to our success will be how quickly we adjust and develop to the level of play in Canada West.” -Head Coach Shawn Sky
Key Performer: Grant Hill Setter 2nd Year Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
Grant Hill is the future of the MRU men’s volleyball team. After seven starters graduated last season, Hill has become the new face of the program. Coming off his first year, Hill was named to the Canada West and U SPORTS All-Rookie Team. With a new team around him, expect Hill to make become a leader and make a huge impact on the court this season.
Thompson Rivers WolfPack
2024-25 Coaches Poll Rank: #10
Key Performer: Sam Flowerday Outside Hitter 4th Year Hometown: Proserpine, Australia
Leading all of Canada with 421 kills and 479 points last season, Sam Flowerday played in all 24 regular season matches for TRU and suited up in a nation-high 106 sets. The product of Proserpine, Australia also finished fourth in the conference in kills-per-set (3.94) and third in service aces (43).
A member of the Australian men’s national team, Flowerday will once again be a leader on a WolfPack roster that sees 13 new players join the fold.
Fraser Valley Cascades
2024-25 Coaches Poll Rank: #11
From the coach: “If our team can maintain a level of health throughout the season the success will be competing in playoffs. We have a more experienced group this year and we are looking forward to taking the next step. It will be an interesting season with the new schedule to see how the playoff structure will unfold.” -Head Coach Nathan Bennett
Key Performer: Jonas Van Huizen Outside Hitter / Setter 4th Year Hometown: Langley, B.C.
Jonas Van Huizen will once again lead the way for the Cascades in 2024-25. The ever flexible outside hitter and setter will look to build on last season’s solid numbers and be a force for the Cascades’ offence, while providing stability in defence with solid blocking and passing.
UBC Okanagan Heat
2024-25 Coaches Poll Rank: #12
From the coach: “The team enters the 2024-25 season looking to climb the standings in Canada West and become a playoff team. The team had 25 sets decided by two points last season and will use that as a foundation to build on. With the majority of the roster in years two through four, the Heat are well positioned to grow. Setter Zach van Geel returns for his fourth year after impressive results as member of the Team Canada Next Gen beach program and Ashton South returns after a summer with the Volleyball Canada U21 and Next Gen indoor teams.” -Head Coach Scott Koskie
Key Performer: Zach van Geel Setter 4th Year Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
One of the top all around players in the conference, van Geel returns for his fourth season with the Heat after posting impressive results with Team Canada’s Next Gen beach program this past summer. Zach will be counted on to direct the Heat offence this season.
MacEwan Griffins
2024-25 Coaches Poll Rank: #13
Key Performer: Mitchell Croft Outside Hitter / Middle 1st Year Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
For a rookie to already be considered the Griffins’ key performer speaks volumes about the kind of talent that Croft is. Coming out of the Australian Junior National Team program, the 6-foot-9 outside hitter, who can also play in the middle, had 20 kills in his first-ever Canada West match, a 3-2 non-conference loss to Mount Royal in the Dino Cup last month in Calgary.
Croft is poised to bring his powerful game to the table in leading MacEwan’s attack right out of the gate in his university career.
