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Season outlook The first few weeks of York University Lions men’s volleyball training camp has left head coach Nathan Groenveld impressed. The players, both returning and recruits, have been demonstrating an effective ability to score points while jumping out of the gym.
Those younger players, while benefiting from their veteran teammates, are also proving to be a talented recruiting class early in the season. They’ve surpassed their expectations early in the training portion of the preseason, according to Groenveld.
It’s left Groenveld excited about a season which doesn’t come with a lot of expectations for any school across the OUA, after major roster turnover everywhere after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alex Dorling and Jordan Gazzola, both 6’7” recruits, were both able to engage in a ton of offseason training, and have impressed their coaches since coming into camp. Jasraj Nijjar, who attended Pakmen Volleyball Club nearby in
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WE HAVE A RICH HISTORY OF WINNING OUA BANNERS AND COMPETING FOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. FOR US, THE EXPECTATION IS TO CONTINUE ALONG THAT PATH AND GET BACK TO BEING ONE OF THE TOP PROGRAMS. Nathan Groenveld, head coach
“Our blocking and defence are going to be Mississauga, Ont., is called a “world class” player incredible. It may take us a bit of time to get our by his coach, and has also been impressing level up, but the pieces we have are gonna be during camp. awesome in that area.” When Groenveld speaks of York’s expectations, Groenveld expects to rely heavily on some veteran it goes without saying that he considers the pin hitters in Andrew Tauhid and Kirsten Duncan- team’s history of competing as one of the most Thibault – both fifth-year players who have a high successful volleyball programs in the OUA over level of skill and athleticism. Dan Everton, who their years of existence. switches positions this season, moves into his third year of eligibility. These players lead just four “We have a rich history of winning OUA banners returning Lions student-athletes. and competing for national championships. For us, the expectation is to continue along that path “They’ve been around long enough to teach some and get back to being one of the top programs.” of our younger guys the way.”
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YORK LIONS
2021-22 MEN’S Volleyball
SCHEDULE
NOV. 5
Jan. 14
FEB. 11
8PM
8PM
8PM
VS RMC
AT Queen’s
VS rams
nov. 6
VS RMC
jan. 15
5PM
AT QUEEN’S
feb. 12
5PM
8PM
NOV. 13
JAN. 22
FEB. 18
5PM
5PM
8PM
AT RAMS
VS TRENT
AT RAMS VS TRENT
NOV. 19
JAN. 28
FEB. 25
8PM
8PM
8PM
AT NIPISSING
VS toronto
NOV. 20
jan. 29
5PM
8PM
AT NIPISSING
VS TORONTO
AT TORONTO
2019-20 REGULAR SEASON RESULTS DATE Sat. Oct. 26 Wed. Oct. 30 Sat. Nov. 9 Fri. Nov. 15 Sat. Nov. 16 Fri. Nov. 22 Sat. Nov. 23 Fri. Nov. 29 Sat. Jan. 11
OPPONENT RESULT Queen’s W 3-1 Rams L 1-3 Brock W 3-2 McMaster L 0-3 Trent W 3-1 Western L 0-3 Windsor L 1-3 RMC W 3-0 Waterloo L 1-3
DATE Sun. Jan. 12 Sun. Jan. 19 Sat. Feb. 1 Sun. Feb. 2 Fri. Feb. 7 Sat. Feb. 8 Sat. Feb. 15 Fri. Feb. 21 Sun. Feb. 23
OPPONENT RESULT Guelph L 0-3 Nipissing L 0-3 Queen’s L 0-3 RMC L 1-3 Toronto L 1-3 Nipissing W 3-0 Rams L 0-3 Trent W 3-0 Toronto L 2-3
Final regular season record: 7-11
2021-22 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
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2019-20 stats 2019-20 REGULAR SEASONS STATISTICS Player Andrew Shotbolt Andrew Tauhid Luke de Greeff Aleksander Grzegorczyk Kirsten Duncan-Thibault Grant Lynch Toure Nwakwesi Alexandre Rioux Andriy Sozanskyy Dan Everton Martin Prinsloo Nathan Lake Patrick Jensen Andrew Jones
SP 58 52 44 53 26 53 51 14 34 57 8 45 29 59
* Bold denotes returning players
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YORK LIONS
K/S 2.59 2.48 2.20 1.92 1.00 0.87 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.53 0.25 0.13 0.10 0.02
A/S 0.28 0.17 0.05 0.24 0.12 0.21 0.27 0.14 0.12 6.25 0.00 0.22 5.93 0.29
SA 25 21 11 9 3 17 14 2 5 17 0 3 3 0
SA/S 1.12 1.21 1.41 0.75 0.73 0.32 0.65 0.43 0.23 1.51 0.13 0.53 0.86 1.54
BLK/S 0.19 0.29 0.33 0.32 0.83 0.49 0.71 0.53 0.08 0.46 0.21 0.00 0.00 0.00
PTS/S 3.14 3.11 2.50 2.28 1.72 1.37 1.25 1.22 1.18 1.11 0.31 0.25 0.20 0.02
HEAD Coach As a player, Groenveld starred at McMaster University and led the Marauders to two OUA Head Coach championships during his five years with the team. Nathan Groenveld was The 6-foot-7 middle picked up a number of awards named the head coach during his university career, including a first-team of the Lions men’s all-Canadian selection, OUA player of the year and volleyball team in 2018 two OUA first-team all-star selections. Groenveld and is the fourth head also played on the senior national team from coach in the history of 2007-10 and represented Canada at the NORCECA Continental Championships in 2009. Following his the program. stint on the national team he spent six months Groenveld, a former playing professionally in Qatar before returning member of Canada’s senior national team, finished home to begin his coaching career. his playing career in 2010, and was named head coach of the men’s volleyball program at Niagara College prior to the 2010-11 season. In eight years with the Knights, he led the team to an overall record of 96-62, including 74-35 in his last six years with the program. His run as head coach was highlighted by an OCAA gold medal in 2014-15, followed by a bronze medal at the CCAA national championships the same year. The bronze medal at nationals was the first team medal at a national championship in school history.
NATHAN GROENVELD
He has also remained active at the national and provincial levels, serving in a number of roles since 2014, including lead coach of the youth national team east selection camp and assistant coach of the national B team. In addition to coaching roles, Groenveld’s volleyball resume includes stints as a member of Volleyball Canada’s national high performance selection committee and as Technical Director for the Niagara Region Volleyball Canada Centre of Excellence.
2021-22 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
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THE COACHES DAVID TA
Assistant Coach
David Ta joined the Lions’ coaching staff in 2017, bringing a combined 20+ years of experience in playing and coaching the sport of volleyball to athletes of all ages and abilities. As a NCCP Trained – Performance Coach, he was recently selected to work with the Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) in their High Performance Regional Program and previous to that he was an assistant coach for the Region 5 Ontario Summer Games boys’ team.
SUPPORT STAFF TRAVIS BANKS
ASSISTANT COACH
SAM HOSSEINI
SENIOR STUDENT THERAPIST
STEVE MARQUIS
STUDENT THERAPIST
WINDSOR ONGCHAN STUDENT THERAPIST
Ta is currently the head coach of REACH Volleyball Club’s 17U Boys, where he successfully led his team to a secondplace finish in the province for their inaugural season. He is also completing his NCCP Level 3 Volleyball Canada Performance Coach Accreditation.
YORK LIONS STADIUM IS HOME TO YORK UNITED FC YORKUNITEDFC.CANPL.CA
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YORK LIONS
player profile
THE COACHES staff at York because of his involvement on the different initiatives. But the major impact is the impression he can leave on younger student-athletes. As a player with seniority on the men’s volleyball team, Everton will have to leave similar impressions on the massive class of newcomers to the York side this season. Everton and Andrew Tauhid are two of the more prominent veteran faces, among just four returning players this year. GETTING TO KNOW DAN
There aren’t many people more passionate about York University athletics than Dan Everton. He exhibits that passion through his involvement on different volunteer-based committees and associations within the York athletics department. He started out as a PAWS mentor in his second and third years, has been on the executive committee for York Sport Council, part of BIVSAA’s executive committee, and was that association’s president over the summer. “For me, I have to be involved if I’m going to be on campus. If I’m not involved in the governance of athletics, I feel like I wouldn’t be getting the entire student-athlete experience. It’s just my own personal view, but for me personally, I have to be entrenched in the athletics community.”
Pre-game rituals? I always need coffee before I play. And I don’t like making my own meal before I play. I always buy something. Usually Subway. In terms of other rituals, I just listen to music and get in the Zoom. If you could only eat one more thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? This is going to be a weird answer, but I’d eat oatmeal. You can do so many things with it! It’s practical. Favourite TV show or movie? I’d say This Is Us for a TV show, and for a movie I’d say the newest Spiderman.
He found PAWS to be extremely beneficial as a firstyear student-athlete, and so when it came time to pay it back in his second year he jumped at the opportunity and became a mentor. That has led to the plethora of other involvements. “I’m a part of this community. I feel like I must give back. We’re so privileged in everything we get to do. The teams we were recruited for, the gear we get, the travelling we do – I feel like I must do something in return. And for me, this involvement is my way of returning the favour.” Everton says he has developed good relationships with other student-athletes, coaches, and administrative 2021-22 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
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ROSTER 1
DAN EVERTON
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SP 33 57 90
K 17 30 47
MB 6-7 1st Year
OH 6-3 1st Year
Biochemistry Penticton, B.C. Penticton S.S.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies White Rock, B.C. Traditional Learning Academy
Kinesiology & Health Studies Victoria, B.C. Claremont S.S.
D 29 86 115
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B 9 26 35
ANDREW WIEBE
OH 6-3 1st Year
Kinesiology & Health Science Winnipeg, Man. Dakota C.I.
Commerce Red Deer, Alta. E.S. Notre Dame H.S.
JORDAN GAZZOLA
MB 6-7 1st Year Commerce, Marketing Surrey, B.C. Elgin Park S.S. • Talented middle blocker who understands the game well • Former member of Team BC provincial team • Previously teammates with fellow Lion Noah Halladay at Fraser Valley Volleyball Club
YORK LIONS
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• Very athletic outside hitter with an incredible arm • Phenomenal blocker and attacker
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SAM JANSEN
LIB 6-0 1st Year
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• A solid outside hitter with phenomenal passing and ball control abilities • Former member of BC provincial team
PTS 30 63.5 93.5
• Physically tough libero • Phenomenal defending and passing abilities • Helped high school team win back-to-back provincial championships and the Division 2 national title in 2018
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SHAUN SCHONERT
OH 6-6 3rd Year
• Big, physical middle • OUA East all-rookie team • Superior blocking skills and good athletic ability • Involved with York Sport Council and the Black & Indigenous Varsity Student-Athlete Alliance (BIVSAA) • Former member of BC provincial team • Participated in the 2017 Canada Summer Games as a member of the BC U18 team Year 2018-19 2019-20 Total
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NOAH HALLADAY
S 6-2 1st Year Kinesiology & Health Science St-Isidore, Ont. E.S.C. De Casselman • Skilled setter who understands the game at a high level • Competed in a national championship game with Ontario in 15U year
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KENMA TONG
KIRSTEN DUNCAN-THIBAULT
OH 6-4 5th Year
OH 6-3 1st Year Commerce, Finance Orangeville, Ont. Westside S.S. • An athlete with strong ball control • Good passing skills and defensive abilities • Earned senior athlete of the year honours at Westside • Helped high school team win the OFSAA bronze medal in 2019
WILLIAM DESCHAMPS
Education Scarborough, Ont. E.S. Etienne Brule • A strong right side with an arm like a whip • Four-time high school team MVP • Older brother, Alex, was the 2017 OUA East player of the year Year SP 2016-17 7 2017-18 11 2018-19 11 2019-20 25 Total 44
K 5 11 5 25 46
D 3 2 7 18 30
B 0 0 6 2 8
PTS 5 12 12.5 29.5 59
ROSTER 10
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JASRAJ NIJJAR
OH 6-2 2nd Year
Sociology Brampton, Ont. Mississauga S.S.
Kinesiology & Health Science Burnaby, B.C. Moscrop S.S. • • • •
A versatile player who is strong at many positions Has a great arm whip and sees the game really well Member of the BC provincial beach volleyball team Earned provincial second-team all-star honours in final high school season Year SP 2019-20 8 Total 8
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ADAM EINARSON
S 6-3 1st Year Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Lake Country, B.C. Kelowna Christian School • Versatile player who can play multiple positions and can set and attach well • Very stilled and brings phenomenal character • Won bronze medal with club team at 2018 BC Summer Games
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ALEX DORLING
K 2 2
D 1 1
14
B 0 0
Commerce, Marketing Missisauga, Ont. Mississauga S.S. / UPEI • Athletic, long middle blocker who benefits from experience as a multisport athlete • Provides veteran presence in the lineup • Appeared in 21 games over two seasons with Lions men’s basketball in 2018-19 and 2019-20
PTS 2 2
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ANDREW TAUHID
PERRY NI
OH 6-2 4th Year
OH 6-3 2nd Year
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Toronto, Ont. Agincourt C.I.
Mechanical Engineering Habin, China University of Toronto
• OUA East second-team all-star last year and an allrookie team member the previous year • Finished eighth in OUA scoring and seventh in kills per set • An incredible jumper who can score at will • Spent two years with Team Ontario, winning the National Team Challenge Cup in 2015 • Won the provincial championship with club team in 2016 and was an OVA all-star • Helped high school team win the OFSAA championship in 2015 Year SP K D B PTS 2017-18 65 146 72 28 178.5 2018-19 63 219 80 15 246.5 2019-20 52 129 63 11 161.5 Total 180 494 215 54 586.5
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• Smart, solid all-around player with tons of experience • Played for Toronto Varsity Blues during 2015-16 season
JOSHUA FLETT
MB 6-7 1st Year
LIB 5-10 1st Year
Criminology Guelph, Ont. Bishop Macdonell C.H.S.
Schulich School of Business Ottawa, Ont. Longfields Davidson Heights S.S.
• A long and athletic middle blocker who is wellrounded • Spent multiple seasons as a middle blocker with Team Ontario
NICOLAS DUNCAN
MB 6-7 3rd Year
S 6-3 1st Year
• Athletic setter with a cannon of an arm • Considered the best setter at his age group in Ontario • Spent multiple seasons with Team Ontario provincial team
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MARTIN PRINSLOO
• Athletic libero who has a high IQ for the game and a strong defender • Was the male athlete of the year at Longfields Davidson Heights
2021-22 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
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U SPORTS AWARDS
U SPORTS Bronze Medals (since 1980) 1988-89
OUA AWARDS
HISTORY
OUA Championship Titles (since 1965) 2004-05, 1993-94, 1992-93, 1988-89, 1981-82, 1980-81, 1979-80, 1973-74, 1972-73
U SPORTS Rookie of the Year 2014-15 – Josh Henderson U SPORTS First-Team All-Canadians (since 1981) 2016-17 – Alex Duncan-Thibault 2014-15 – Ray Szeto 2012-13 – Ray Szeto 1988-89 – Bill Knight
OUA Bronze Medals 2014-15 OUA East Most Valuable Player (since 2004) 2016-17 – Alex Duncan-Thibault OUA Libero of the Year (since 2004) 2006-07 – Rob Dyba OUA Rookie of the Year (since 1996) 2014-15 – Josh Henderson 1999-00 – Simon Van Bommel OUA East Dale Iwanoczko Sportsman Award (since 1995) 2017-18 – Spencer Dakin Kuiper 2016-17 – Alex Duncan-Thibault 2013-14 – Greg Ivan 2011-12 – Karim Khalil 2002-03 – Mingo Miguel
YORK AWARDS
OUA Coach of the Year (since 1996) 2016-17 – Michael Wahbi 1997-98 – Wally Dyba 1996-97 – Wally Dyba
York Athlete of the Year (since 1968) 1992-93 – Dexter Abrams Outstanding Male Graduate Award (since 2015) 2017-18 – Tim Jensen Lions Legacy Awards (since 2015) 2017-18 – Tim Jensen Charles Saundercook Memorial Trophy (since 1978) 2001-02 – Mingo Miguel 1991-92 – James Dalziel 1978-79 – Larry Simpson
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YORK LIONS
U SPORTS Second-Team All-Canadians (since 1981) 2015-16 – Arthur Szwarc 2013-14 – Ray Szeto 2003-04 – Darren Goss 2002-03 – Mingo Miguel 1997-98 – Richard Van Huizen 1993-94 – Dexter Abrams 1989-90 – Dexter Abrams 1988-89 – Dexter Abrams 1983-84 – Dave Samek 1981-82 – Dave Chambers
U SPORTS All-Rookie Team 2014-15 – Josh Henderson 2013-14 – Nicolas Pirnat
OUA First-Team All-Stars (since 1977) 2018-19 – Logan Mend 2017-18 – Logan Mend, Andrew Shotbolt 2016-17 – Alex Duncan-Thibault, Logan Mend 2015-16 – Arthur Szwarc 2014-15 – Ray Szeto 2013-14 – Ray Szeto 2012-13 – Ray Szeto 2006-07 – Ryan Anderson 2004-05 – Ryan Anderson, Jason Kinoshita 2003-04 – Darren Goss, Ryan Anderson 2002-03 – Mingo Miguel 2001-02 – Ben Smyth 2000-01 – Mingo Miguel 1998-99 – Paul Costantinou, Duane Lunn 1997-98 – Joel Jansen, Richard Van Huizen 1996-97 – Joe Kupina, Richard Van Huizen 1995-96 – Djordje Ljubicic, Richard Van Huizen 1994-95 – Djordje Ljubicic, Glen Smith 1993-94 – Dexter Abrams, Djordje Ljubicic 1992-93 – Dexter Abrams, Djordje Ljubicic, Glen Smith 1991-92 – Adrian Adore, Djordje Ljubicic 1990-91 – Dexter Abrams, Adrian Adore 1989-90 – Dexter Abrams, Adrian Adore 1988-89 – Dexter Abrams, Bill Knight, Jacob Wiktorek 1987-88 – Bruce Dunning 1986-87 – Tony Martino 1985-86 – Alex Ketrvynsky, Dave Samek, John Spicker 1984-85 – Steve Burtch, Dave Samek 1983-84 – Dave Samek, Walter Zanel 1982-83 – Steve Burtch, Dave Chambers, John May 1981-82 – Mark Ainsworth, Dave Chambers, John May, Dave Samek 1980-81 – Mark Ainsworth, Dave Chambers 1979-80 – Mark Ainsworth, Dave Chambers, Lino Girardo 1978-79 – Mark Ainsworth
OUA Second-Team All-Stars (since 1995) 2019-20 – Andrew Shotbolt 2018-19 – Andrew Tauhid 2016-17 – Toure Nwakwesi 2014-15 – Josh Henderson 2013-14 – Greg Ivan 2012-13 – Felipe Humana-Paredes 2008-09 – Reid Hall 2007-08 – Reid Hall 2006-07 – Paul Podstawka 2005-06 – Ryan Anderson, Sholan Trivedi 2003-04 – Daniel Bache 2002-03 – Darren Goss 2001-02 – Darren Goss, Mingo Miguel 2000-01 – Darren Goss, Jamal Thomas 1999-00 – Duane Lunn, Simon Van Bommel 1997-98 – Paul Constantinou, Steve Mackey, Andrew Sulatycki 1995-96 – Joe Kupina
York Rookie of the Year (since 2000) 2017-18 – Andrew Tauhid 2014-15 – Josh Henderson Hall of Fame Inductee (since 1980) 2015 – Djordje Ljubicic 2011 – Dexter Abrams 2008 – John May 2005 – Mark Ainsworth 2002 – Dave Chambers 2000-01 – Paul Nixon
OUA All-Rookie Team (since 2004) 2019-20 – Luke de Greeff 2018-19 – Dan Everton 2017-18 – Andrew Tauhid 2014-15 – Josh Henderson 2013-14 – Nicolas Pirnat 2011-12 – Marko Dakic 2010-11 – Ray Szeto 2009-10 – Marvin Macalino 2007-08 – Tom Podstawka 2005-06 – Adam Podstawka 2004-05 – Paul Podstawka, Sholan Trivedi
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL