Volleyball Wolves win gold at nationals

Winnipeg

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This article was published 05/06/2024 (825 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A season spent focusing on the fundamentals paid off for the WinMan Wolves U15 volleyball team when they won the gold medal in their tier at Volleyball Canada’s national youth championships in Edmonton last month.

The Wolves played nine games in three days, often starting at 7:30 a.m. After dropping their first three games, the Wolves won their first two games on day two after losing the opening set. A close loss in their final game of the day placed them in the fifth tier of the U15 division.

“The second day was a lot better,” setter Shayne Nuytten admitted. “We were in a better mindset with a better start from our first two wins.”

The third and final day of the championship tournament began with a straight-sets win to send the Wolves to the semi-finals. Facing Toronto’s Titans Behemoth, the Wolves won in three sets to make the final against Alberta’s Canada West team.

“We had the right mindset and looked ready to play,” Nuytten said. “The second game we played was probably the most intense; it was semis against a team we hadn’t played. They had a similar play style, so we had to play hard.”

The final was a battle. The teams traded points in the first game before the Wolves finally won the endurance test 30-28. The second set was the same, with the Wolves outlasting Canada West 25-23 to earn the gold medal.

“The game was 23-24; game point for us,” Nuytten said. “We got a pass to our setter, who set the ball to our left side, who put it away for us. Everybody came running in, and we ended things off with collecting our medals and one last chant.”

Coach Tim Au said the mandate of WinMan, a club which draws players from all over the Winnipeg area, is to provide opportunities for athletes to learn both volleyball and life skills. The Wolves and WinMan’s other U15 team, the Warriors, had strong seasons, placing high in every tournament. But that was not how they defined success.

“Winning a gold medal was great, but we never spoke about it,” Au said. “(They) focused on a ‘process versus outcome’ mindset since they were 13. We have prepared our athletes in practices to compete.”

And compete they did. Au said the two U15 boys teams practised against each other all season, which kept them sharp.

“I think the Wolves’ mindset was their best attribute developed over the season,” Au said. “The athletes simply competed and put any distractions aside. They faced pressured situations many times and overcame them.”

Nuytten has played volleyball for less than two years, but he’s a quick study. After starting in beach volleyball and playing pickup games against older school friends, he’s competed for his school — West Kildonan Collegiate — with beach teams, for Team Manitoba, and, of course, WinMan,

“Winman has always been like a family to me,” said Nuytten, who lives in West St. Paul. “They show support and guidance towards their players. This has enhanced my game a lot to adapt to the current play style. They have sharpened my skills and IQ in volleyball.”

Nuytten learned many lessons from his time with Winman.

“The regular season was a journey about growth. Our main focus was not about winning, but growth, which definitely shows.”