The Sudbury baton is being passed within the roster of the Nipissing Lakers men's volleyball program.

In the same summer in which former Lasalle Secondary School star Tyrus Cuculick wrapped up his U Sports career at the North Bay institution, recent Lockerby Composite graduate Zander Kasunich looks to emulate a similar voyage.

The product of the Northern Chill Volleyball Club has committed to joining the Lakers this fall, bringing to an end a period of some uncertainty for the talented outside hitter.

"It took me some time to make this decision, over two months," said Kasunich. "I lost some sleep over it."

In the end, the option to join forces with well-tenured head coach Eric Yung and company was one which brought him some comfort.

"I thought this program best suited my needs," noted the 17 year-old who helped lead the Chill U18 boys team to a top-eight finish in the province. "Attending a couple of their practice sessions made me realize that I wouldn't rather go anywhere else."

By his own admission, Kasunich is a vastly different player than the one which entered the home of the Vikings four years ago - thanks largely to the work of some of the very best volleyball mentors that Sudbury has to offer.

"Honestly, I look back and it shocks me sometimes just how different I am," said Kasunich. "All of the coaches who have mentored me along the way: Stephen Beausoleil, James Schweyer, Bryan Welch, Dale Beausoleil - they all really impacted me and changed the way I see the game."

"They all have their own way of doing things, their own style," he added. "They want to imprint how they see the game through me. I kind of reflect their coaching style."

As for this particular opportunity, to chance to step on the floor with some of the best boys high-school volleyball talent in the province did little to hurt the likelihood that Kasunich could take the next step, the young man worrying far less about showcasing himself at top-end tournaments and far about those things that every post-secondary coach values.

"I wasn't really concerned with showing off but more about what I could do for the team to get us this win," he offered. "Whether that be consistent play or to try and take over the game with a rather risky style - I tried to stay fired up to try and push us through."

With that behind him, it's on to the next step, a progression that Kasunich both embraces both also accepts as a formidable challenge.

"Being able to adapt to that high level of game is going to take a bit," he said. "I'm going to have to get physically stronger, that's for sure. I want to keep training everything I've been working on for the past four years with the club and kind of hone in on what the coach tells me he wants me to work on."

Kasunich leaves behind the memories of a pretty special collection of talent. "I think it was just the connection we developed as a tem throughout the whole season," noted the key contributor with the Northern Chill U18 Frost boys.

"It was a lot of work to just earn a spot in the top eight, something no male Chill team had ever done. I was happy I was able to do it with this group of guys."

"To be able to play at that level and take a set from the provincial and national champions, that's one of the highlights of my volleyball career," Kasunich continued. "I will carry that with me forever."