Top marks for River East’s Brown

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This article was published 25/11/2024 (493 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

He’s the best player on the No. 1-ranked varsity boys volleyball team in the province yet Matthew Brown is probably only scratching the surface of his potential.

The 6-3, 165-pound River East setter has been earning rave reviews from opponents and teammates alike while being honoured as the province’s No. 1 varsity boys player in the annual Free Press top-10 coaches’ poll.

Brown and his 42-0 Kodiaks are overwhelming favourites to advance along the path they hope will result in the school’s first AAAA varsity boys title in 41 years.

“We’re progressively getting better,” said the 17-year-old Brown earlier this week. “We were kind of raw as a group at the beginning and we’re definitely developing together, where you can see we have big transition plays, guys are making big digs and we’re able to set it out and get good kills.”

The Kodiaks dominated the top-10 poll just like they’ve taken command of the court in 2024.

Brown was joined by twins Gavin and Eli Ulrich, a libero and a left side, and middle Tanner Nachtigall, who finished third, seventh and 10th in the poll, respectively.

Brown is also developing a national reputation.

Earlier this month, he accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Calgary where former national team player Graham Vigrass was recently installed as head coach.

“I would say his level of play has obviously improved but his leadership has noticeably improved more,” said Kodiaks head coach Zack Diboll of Brown’s development.

“He’s taking over timeouts, talking more and being vocal. His volleyball IQ is ridiculous and he has the advantage of being in the game, versus we as coaches are just watching it. When he pipes up, the guys are listening because he’s a great player. And he walks the walk, which is nice.”

Brown’s teammates have noticed his growth, too.

“One of his best traits is his attention to detail,” said Eli Ulrich. “He executes in a very specific way. And he’s very encouraging and never really gets down on anyone.”

The 17-year-old admits his success lately feels like a natural progression.

“I’m a little bit more comfortable in my body and a little bit more athletic in that way,” says Brown. “And I’ve grown to know the game more. If I think back two years ago, I was kind of just setting each guy a random amount of times — left side, right side, middle — and kind of alternating. Now I feel like I have a way better sense of where the gaps are and where the openings are.”

Brown, who already has an outstanding spike touch of 11 feet, acknowledges he will need to make physical improvements to succeed in the university game.

“I could definitely put on some strength in that way, especially if I want to go and compete at the U Sports level early,” said Brown.

“I need to get in the gym soon. So I’m looking forward to an off-season where I can get in the gym and grind.”

In Calgary, he plans to soak up some insider knowledge and technical training from former national team setter, TJ Sanders, who is joining the Dinos as an assistant coach.

“From what I’ve heard, TJ will be in the gym a couple times a week — so that’s big,” said Brown. “I’ve definitely watched some of his stuff. It’s really cool that I would get (to interact with) an Olympic level guy like that and to be in the gym — hands on — with him.”

On his current trajectory, Brown should be expected to excel.

“When he came to us in Grade 10, there was always the hope he would become this kind of player,” said Diboll, who was Sanders’ teammate at the University of Manitoba and later at the national team training centre in Gatineau, Que.

“He had the athletic ability right off the hop. But then the volleyball IQ and knowledge really started in mid-Grade 11 and then come Grade 12, the kid watches so much film.

“He’ll videotape every game, and basically after the (team) meeting, he starts watching film. A guy that I know that did that all the time was TJ Sanders and look how that turned out.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca