With the sun setting on their college volleyball careers, Zach Grigg, Wayne Woyciehouski and Ryan Marcellus are grateful for their time at Vancouver Island University.
The three are graduating and have learned a lot during their tenure playing VIU Mariners men’s volleyball.
“I learned a lot about how to take care of myself and still perform,” said Grigg.
“I learned a lot about the culture, a lot about what it means to be a Mariner and kind of the brotherhood of it and having a family of allthe athletes, getting along with everybody in that sense,” said Woyciehouski.
“Learning how to be a team,” said Marcellus. “We’ve got a really good team culture going right now and it’s something we all kind of hope continues on in the future.”
In terms of lessons learned on the volleyball court, Grigg said he learned to play the game smarter. Marcellus said he learned to get better at the mental aspects of the game.
Woyciehouski said he has enjoyed learning from his coaches.
“I think we’ve had a lot of good coaches too,” said Woyciehouski. “Not only have we got to work on the mental aspect, but they’ve helped refine our game with a lot of different drills and ideas with our movements and our style of play.”
When asked about their favourite memories, the three pointed to this season.
“I look back on my first year, when we went to nationals, and I agree with [Marcellus and Grigg] on this year because we’re hopefullygoing to be going back this year with a chance of winning,” said Woyciehouski.
The men’s team is entering the last week of regular season play on top of the Pacific Western Athletic Association standings at 17-2 (as ofFriday).
Leading up to Friday and Saturday matchups against Douglas College, played after press time, the team had won nine of its last 10.
VIU will host the men’s volleyball PacWest championships taking place Feb. 23-25.
The national championship takes place at London, Ont., March 10-12.
