Standing 6’2” and darting quickly across the front line of the volleyball court, be it for the Northern Chill or the Champlain Requins, Olivia Nicholls was going to get noticed locally.

But when it comes time for Team Ontario selections, when those vying for the very same spots on the squad match up well in terms of height and athleticism, being the traditionally tallest kid in the class alone isn’t going to cut it.

Nicholls knew that – and based on her selection to the lineup that took part in Canada Cup play in late July in Thorold (between Niagara Falls and St Catharines), she took all the necessary steps to ensure that her game would stand out, well beyond the imposing physical presence.

Considering that it’s only been a year or so where Nicholls has truly identified herself as a “go to” player – “I started to notice that people were looking at me because I was standing out more” – the progress in her game has been noteworthy.

“As a kid, I tried playing every sport because I wanted to find a sport that I was really interested in and wanted to go to practices,” said Nicholls, a grade 11 student at Ecole Secondaire Catholique Champlain.

A year of elementary volleyball gave her food for thought, attending her first Northern Chill Volleyball Club tryouts four years ago.

“I found the coaches were very helpful,” she said. “We started slow and worked our way into it, so it was pretty easy to catch on. I have always been good at reading the ball, being able to know where it’s going, if it’s floating or not, being able to follow it and get under it.”

In fact, when Nicholls is focused on “catching on”, she is clearly not taking those teachings for granted. The primary middle and occasional right side attacker can break down the technical aspects of her role like few others can, carrying a very high volleyball IQ as she sets foot on the court.

“I just find it easier when I know exactly what I am supposed to do,” she said. “It helps me get better.”

And get better she has, building on fundamental skills that served as core building blocks for the young woman who cracked Team Ontario in her first shot at trying out for the squad (tryouts consist of sending in both game tape and skills video, typically with her club team).

“My blocking is really good,” Nicholls suggested. “I was able to take those quick steps to go up and block. I am finding I have a good read on the ball just by the position of the setter’s hands.”

“My offense is also good,” she continued. “When the other middle goes up, I am getting good at finding the angle where they are not. I can find the seams between the players.”

And while it’s extremely common for middles to be substituted in their back-row rotation, the challenges of getting low defensively somewhat more glaring for the tallest players on the court, Nicholls takes advantage of every opportunity to round out her game.

“For Chill, sometimes I will play back court so the coach can give some pointers to the libero – but for school, they usually keep me in for the back rotation because I can pass,” explained Nicholls. “It’s important to notice where your blockers are, make sure you are outside of their shoulder – and that you are low enough.”

“That way, you have more time to react to the ball and move to it.”

At the time of our conversation, Nicholls was in North Bay, taking part in the OVA (Ontario Volleyball Association) camp that immediately preceded Canada Cup play. With this being her first provincial level camp, the Sudbury product was taking it all in.

“It’s really fun; the coaches are very involved, which I like. If you have the smallest question here, the coaches will help you. They show the proper skills: how to get up faster, how to have a proper arm swing.”

Good thing, as the level of competition is clearly a step up.

“The sets are coming so fast, even for left side and right side – so I have to be extra engaged, really quick on my feet to get there,” said Nicholls. “And the blocks I am facing, they actually know how to read. With school volleyball, they just go up straight. Here, I have to be even more technical and swing harder.”

Being tall, in and of itself, isn’t enough.