Manitoba hitting above its weight on national volleyball team

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/05/2023 (1197 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

While Manitoba comprises just one of 13 provinces and territories in Canada, the prairie province accounted for one quarter of the athletes named to the roster for the Under-21 men’s national volleyball team.

Spencer Grahame, Samuel Ludwig, Jonah Dueck and Josh Jehle were named to the 16-man roster for the U21 national squad that will compete in the the NORCECA Men’s U21 Pan American Cup from June 3-11 in Havana, Cuba, and the FIVB Men’s U21 World Championships from July 7-16 in Manama, Bahrain.

Not only do they hail from Manitoba, they all play for the University of Manitoba Bisons. The Bison athletes will be joined by their head coach Arnd (Lupo) Ludwig and their assistant coach Mike Stephens who were announced as the U21 head coach and assistant coach, respectively. Lupo Ludwig is also Samuel Ludwig’s father. The chance to coach this team was meaningful for coach Ludwig especially when he looks back at his playing days.

“It’s something very special for me, specifically because I was playing at the 1987 Junior World Championships in Bahrain as well, so it’s a full circle (experience),” said Ludwig.

Spencer Grahame was also filled with excitement when he heard he was selected.

“When I found out, I was super happy and super pleased. It made me super grateful for everything and all the people who helped me accomplish this,” said Grahame.

Samuel Ludwig was unsure if he would be selected for the team.

“I wasn’t really sure if I was going to make it,” said Samuel. “I was a little iffy, especially because I’m one of the younger guys here. All the other setters are older, and setter is more of a technical position. You can’t just be a big physical guy that hits hard.”

Despite his age, the young setter impressed coaches with his skill-set and was thrilled to learn he made the cut. “I was just super happy and grateful when I found out that I made it.”

The selection process was a lengthy one for the young players. They needed to provide an online submission to be considered for the team, then an invite was extended to 26 athletes for a tryout in Ottawa. From that pool 16 athletes were chosen. The roster will be reduced to the final 12 players who will travel to Cuba for the team’s first tournament.

While Lupo Ludwig is the head coach of the U21 squad, he was not responsible for selecting the team. Dan Lewis, head coach of the NextGen national team, was the man in charge of choosing the team. The fact the Bisons coach was not in charge of the selection process was comforting for the players he had coached previously.

“Lupo didn’t do the selection camp at all, the other coaches handled all that so having that removed was super nice,” said Grahame, “We made this team because of our skills and not the relationship with the head coach.”

The U21 national team is not the first time Lupo has coached his son, having previously coached Samuel at the U of M. Lupo says when he and his son share the court for practice or games, their relationship is that of a coach and a player.

“We don’t necessarily have a father-son relationship here, it’s basically a player-coach relationship. I think it’s something special that he made the team and I am really excited and proud of him. But it’s the same as at the university, he’s a player and I’m a coach and we try to keep it as professional as possible when we are in the gym.”

Manitoba players receiving national recognition is a testament to Volleyball Manitoba’s ability to develop its players and the time and effort given by the coaches in the province, Grahame said.

“I think it really speaks to the development program that Volleyball Manitoba has developed over the years. All the amazing coaches that are giving back to the community. I know I have been coached by ex university athletes and ex national team athletes that have helped show me there is a path way to these teams.” said Grahame.

donald.stewart@freepress.mb.ca