High-flying brothers

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This article was published 21/03/2024 (913 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Almost two years ago, Darian Koskie triggered a mid-career adjustment that would be inconceivable for most high-level university athletes.

He changed schools and teams.

“I was looking for something different,” says the 22-year-old son of former national team setter Scott Koskie.

“We had the pandemic and then I trained in (Volleyball Canada’s National Excellence Program) and I played on the (national) junior team, so it kind of opened my eyes a little bit to different opportunities elsewhere, getting experience living on your own and away from home a bit and having a bit more independence.”

Darian, who started his U Sports career at the University of Manitoba — earning a spot on the Canada West all-rookie team as a middle in 2019-20 — also spent 2021-22 with the Bisons in Lupo Ludwig’s first season at the helm after the retirement of longtime head coach Garth Pischke.

The desire for a change of scenery was satisfied by an offer from University of Windsor head coach James Gravelle, who had an ace up his sleeve: Darian’s younger brother, Noah, was already on the Lancers roster.

Darian was required to sit out a year to satisfy transfer requirements but was able to practise with his new teammates. When he was unleashed against Ontario competition in 2023-24, the results were dynamite.

“We had an idea as to what we were gonna get,” says Gravelle. “In training last year, Darian was just so effective. We were hopeful that he would stay healthy and have a great season — and he did. We were pleased to see that the performance translated.”

Immediately inserted in Windsor’s starting lineup, Darian went on to lead the country in hitting efficiency (.409) while earning second-team all-Canadian honours earlier this month.

“In training last year, Darian was just so effective. We were hopeful that he would stay healthy and have a great season — and he did.”–Head coach James Gravelle

“To be able to come back and dominate the league is something pretty incredible,” says Noah, 20. “The highest hitting efficiency in Canada. We set him a lot and he put the ball away a lot for us. It was great. He’s a really important part of our offence.”

Although the brothers attended St. Paul’s High School, they had never been teammates before, owing to the age gap.

“It’s been great playing alongside him and getting to live in the same city as him again,” says the 6-7 Darian. “The guys on the team are great, too. He was the main reason why I came out here but it’s been great for lots of other reasons, too.”

While Darian’s size, experience and skill set made him a sought-after recruit, Noah’s services weren’t in high demand coming out of high school.

A 6-2 left side (considered on the short side for the position), Noah had to claw his way into U Sports after the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out his 17U and 18U seasons.

He only had film of one game — a Crusaders’ provincial semifinal appearance during his Grade 11 season — to market himself. He pitched a broad range of skills, and it helped that he had been a setter earlier in his development.

“It was one of the things that I would try and sell the coaches on is that I can kind of play anywhere and I’m willing to play most places,” says Noah. “I’ve had times (in Windsor) where I’ve been put into the opposite colour uniform and wearing the libero jersey. Even this year, actually, our libero was somewhat injured, so I had to bring my bring extra jersey on the bench just in case something went down.”

Noah redshirted his first year in Windsor and played some in Year 2 before becoming a regular starter in 2023-24.

“He anchors our defence in position six, he serves really well and even though he’s maybe slightly undersized at the position… he’s a good blocker as well,” says Gravelle. “He has many strengths to his game and his attack is something that he continues to improve at.”

Noah’s accomplished this while carrying a demanding academic load in mechanical engineering.

“It’s not the easiest thing for sure,” says Noah. “It’s taking a full course load — five classes and five labs per semester — so I’m missing probably at least one full practice a week. And then I’m squeezing it — running straight from class to lifts, straight from class to practices, straight from class right to the bus to travel to our road games. It’s not exactly the easiest thing ever but my education is something that I value.”

Adds Gravelle: “The challenge is much greater, I’m sure, for the student than it is for the coach. But Noah makes it look easy. There’s no complaining. He does very well academically. He’s just such a joy to have on our team.”

“The challenge is much greater, I’m sure, for the student than it is for the coach. But Noah makes it look easy.”–Head coach James Gravelle

Darian, a business student with an eye on playing for the senior national team one day, has a vital but unglamourous job.

“It’s definitely not a flashy position by any means, right?” says Darian of playing middle. “There’s lots of blocking and you get a little bit of attacking in there, depending on how your offensive system is. I benefitted from having a good offensive system that ran a lot of middle this year so that made things really enjoyable for me.”

Next fall, the brothers will be back to help the Lancers earn a trip to the national championship.

“He’s made some really great progressions in his game,” says Darian of Noah. “His attacking, his defensive reception is really good. His passing and his service reception is very good. Just from where he’s been coming out of high school to now, it’s been a huge leap.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca