Cool, calm and collected Caleigh

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This article was published 03/11/2015 (3867 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Caleigh Dobie has a certain calmness about her. The 21-year-old fourth-year arts student at the University of Manitoba, who hopes to soon be entering the education program, comes across as a smart, been-there-done-that type of athlete.

Maybe some of that calmness comes from her position of expertise as libero for the U of M women’s volleyball team.

“To describe my position as libero, I guess I am a defensive and passing specialist. I am looking for the first contact in every rally.”

Caleigh moved to the position in Grade 10 and has flourished since then.

“As our libero I think I have to stay more cool and collected. Hitters and blockers get the exciting high moments; I have to stay much more in the moment.”

Caleigh has a tremendous circle of support at home with her mom and dad. Mom Jackie is a personal trainer and her dad, Brian, is the longtime head coach of the U of M Bisons football program.

“I am a captain on our volleyball team; it’s a completely new role for me. I talk to my dad often about that. He has been great to me all through my sports career. My mom is my shoulder to cry on,” Caleigh says.

“As a personal trainer, she can also give me a good kick in the butt when I need it. She is my hug buddy when I need one, and she also lets me know that all will be well and that I can accomplish what I set out to do.”

Having such an interesting sports dynamic at home also gives Caleigh an added understanding on the importance of team.

“I really appreciate being on a team with such amazing people. With volleyball there are so many ups and downs, it is wonderful how we all trust each other so much. This team has taught me what family means in the context of a team.”

Caleigh is motivated by more than just kicking butt in the game of volleyball when it comes to her sports.

“My dream is to become really good at tennis after volleyball. I am godawful at it and it’s really the one thing I can’t do. It looks like so much fun; I really want to become a good player.”

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Troy Westwood is co-host of The Big Show, every weekday morning from 6 to 10 a.m. on TSN 1290 radio. He writes about Winnipeg’s unsung sports heroes every other week in the Canstar Community News weeklies. If you know of an athlete whose story Troy should tell, contact him at: troy.westwood@bellmedia.ca