Youth shall be “served”.

Given that we are talking about the Cambrian varsity volleyball teams in this column, that’s likely not a bad thing at all.

The rosters of both the Shield men’s and women’s teams are dotted with many new faces this fall, mostly newcomers to the OCAA scene – but not exclusively so.

Still, the men’s crew that earned back to back provincial bronze medals in each of the past two years actually have more rookies in their lineup in 2024-2025 than returning vets. Mind you, the success of the team in recent times has allowed the locals to become something of a draw – from coast to coast apparently.

Nineteen year old libero James Tse hails from Burnaby (B.C.), returning to the sport in which he starred at Moscrop Secondary School after completing a year of college studies out west last winter without the benefit of competing in volleyball.

“For me, this move was all about volleyball,” said Tse. “I started with getting some film, getting some highlight reel and sending off emails.”

The process would eventually link the pleasant young man with coach Dale Beausoleil, anxious to fill a role that requires something of a unique approach from the athlete in question. “It definitely is a different mindset as you’re more of a defensive specialist (as libero) and not really on the offensive side,” said Tse.

Less than two months into his OCAA career, the 5’9” western lad has already noted a significant difference from his high-school and club volleyball experience. “You don’t get as many defensive attempts as you would like in the post-secondary game,” said Tse, adding that serve receive is the compensating factor.

“A lot of times, the other teams avoid you because you are a defensive specialist. On service, they may have less control so you might have more chances there – and that’s what you have to capitalize on.”

All of which brings us to the second notable adjustment that Tse had to make.

“It’s not necessarily the air currents in this gym, but more the change of balls,” he stated, comparing the Molten brand that is utilized in Ontario college play to the Mikasa ball that is preferred out west (as well as in OVA action). “The way it (Molten ball) floats is much different.”

“If they hit it with a good float serve, it jumps up instead of dropping. It comes up and catches you high.”

A graduate of Ecole secondaire l’Horizon in Val Caron, Kyle Perreault now has the benefit of a season of practices and games to get used to a different ball – though that was not his biggest takeaway from his rookie campaign with the Shield.

“For me, it was the whole mental adjustment,” said the 6’1” left-side hitter. “In high-school, I was the go-to guy. Last year (at Cambrian), I didn’t play much. I was used to always being on the court and suddenly, I’m not. It’s all about resetting and looking at it from a different perspective, understanding that everyone has a role on the team.”

“That’s what I had to adapt to – finding my role on the team.”

After dropping a 3-0 decision to the Humber Hawks on Saturday to open their regular season schedule, the Shield men bounced back with a sweep of their own the next afternoon, taking down the St Clair Saints from Windsor in the minimum of three sets.

“We’re a completely different team than last year,” said Perreault. “We’re a young team with lots of new talent and a deep bench. We’re going to play hard every game and guys always have to be ready. Work hard at practice and your time will come.”

The balance of the Cambrian men's roster is comprised of: Sam George, Liam Sampson, Cale Bast, Cohen Gillett, Jonus Obrigewitsch, Colin Lindner, Liam Hansen, Alwin Anthony, Ethan Lalonde, Jason Diotte, James Welsh, Kurtis Brisebois, Sebastien Tremblay and Conor Dorsey.

Not quite as young as the men, the Cambrian women were fortunate to add some experienced OCAA talent to the fold as North Bay native Carlie Pappano opted to make the move east after spending three years with the hometown Canadore Panthers, including a 2022-2023 campaign in which she was named to the league all-star team.

“I’ve always liked Sudbury and I still have family here – and I’ve heard amazing things about Dale (Beausoleil),” said Pappano, a 5’9” left-side hitter who played her high-school ball at Widdifield and split club time between the Vision and Lakers.

“Every single person that I have ever met that knows him (Dale) absolutely loves him. That’s very impressive.”

Still, there is this matter of trying to win games in the ultra-tough OCAA west with a young lineup that will also often look up to their opponents. “We lack a little bit in the height department – but we make up for it with our defense, I think,” said Pappano.

And this is where her experience most shows.

“Technique is really important,” she suggested. “If you are in the right spot, lining up on the hitter’s shoulder and taking away their best shot, it makes a really big difference. We have to be really smart. Our size doesn’t make as much of a difference if we learn how to be smart.”

"Volleyball is a lot more strategic than people may realize," Pappano added. "We spend a lot of hours working on our defense. We might not be tall, but we work on our positioning a lot for blocking and try and give our defenders in the back row a better chance."

At 5’8”, second year setter Allison Nordquist (ES Horizon) would not be considered undersized for her position at the OCAA level. And still, the importance of the finer details of her game shine through when discussing what can take her and her team to the next level.

“I definitely think that jump setting is a huge part of it for me,” noted the Electrical Engineering Technology major who was also an extremely accomplished swimmer in her youth. “It makes me more involved in the play and helps draw the blockers, giving my hitters a better chance for a one on one – and it speeds up the ball.”

Despite losing in three straight to St Clair, the final two sets by scores of 25-22 and 25-23, Nordquist showed signs of her ability to run a faster tempo offense, a key for a team that gives up size at the net.

“How I square up to the ball helps a lot – and just knowing that my hitters are going to be there for the fast ball,” she said. “As long as the ball is up, it’s a good ball. We have strong hitters who are able to adjust to different sets.”

Rounding out the Shield women's roster are Kennedy Bellefeuille, Maisie Craig, Jersey Masson, Taylor Vaillant, Mackenzie Selk, Mikayla Tremblay, Fannie Gauthier, Shae St-Onge, Symantha Welsh, Abby Laporte, Reyne Hoare, Gillian Clarke and Lily Sleigh.

The Cambrian women will look to hit the win column a week from Wednesday at home, welcoming the Boréal Vipères in the first half of the inter-city crosstown rivalry series, with games on October 30th scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. (W) and 8:00 p.m. (M) at the Cambrian gymnasium.