Just when JJ Love thought his week couldn’t get better, Dave Preston delivered an extra surprise.
The Dauphin native completed his first practice after being selected for the Volleyball Canada men’s NextGen team — along with Brandon University teammate Liam Pauls — and entered his meeting with head coach Preston to talk about goals and points of emphasis for the summer.
When Love mentioned his main focal points, Preston told him it’s important to stay ready as well, because you never know when you’ll see game action.
Brandon University setter JJ Love, shown winning a national championship in March, made Volleyball Canada’s Volleyball Nations League roster and the NextGen team. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
The NextGen team — essentially the senior B team — is gearing up for the Pan Am Cup in late August, but Preston told Love he’s also on Canada’s Volleyball Nations League 30-man roster. Canada hits the court at home on June 11 against Germany.
“That was a complete shock to me. I had no clue going in that was even a possibility,” Love said. “It’s definitely a little extra fuel to the fire to work hard this summer.”
Needless to say, the May 2-8 selection camp went well for BU’s starting setter and his star left side Pauls.
“He did good,” Love said. “He played just like himself with confidence, showed (his) all-around skill, good passer and a heavy shoulder when he gets going.”
It was certainly an intense week for the guys, including seven straight double-practice days with each skill group taking just one morning off.
It’s a unique experience for elite athletes, who may not have taken part in anything resembling a tryout for years.
“You’re trying to balance trying to learn their systems and what they want to do … but also being able to play your way so you can play confident,” Love said.
“It’s definitely a learning curve but it’s probably good to look down the road, get comfortable in the uncomfortable and be able to perform whatever the coaches ask.”
Love is one of three setters on the team, including Toronto native Tomas Sorra, who used to set for the University of Calgary, and current UBC Okanagan all-star Zach Van Geel.
Oak River native Liam Kristjanson, who played four seasons with the University of Winnipeg before his pro debut in Germany last winter, also cracked the roster, which includes BU’s Grant Wilson as an assistant coach.
They’re settling into a routine now with five days on and one day off, grinding through four-hour practices.
While it’s a lot longer than typical U Sports practices, Love still shows up early since the senior national team trains before them.
Brandon University setter JJ Love, shown winning a national championship in March, made Volleyball Canada’s Volleyball Nations League roster and the NextGen team. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
“Just to take that in and see those guys play at that level is so cool,” Love said. “I feel like a little kid … I feel like a fan.”
It’s not all spectating, though. Love said Volleyball Canada heavily emphasizes warmup, to the point each athlete has a personalized pre-practice routine developed through physical screenings once they are selected.
Medical co-ordinator Melissa Healy, strength and conditioning coach Raphael Poulin and their team identify weaknesses and areas for each player to focus on before hitting the floor.
It’s early in the process but Love already knows this summer will help for his final Canada West season.
“It’s huge. One, getting to play all summer for four months and train, it’s hard to replicate,” Love said.
“You learn so much, little things you can tinker and change quickly and add to guys, not try to change your game so much but just add layers to your game and make us overall a better team.”
QUICK HITS: BU’s Kale Fisher is less than four weeks out of Volleyball Canada’s U21 team tryouts while incoming Bobcat Ethan Baraniuk is on the 28-man roster for the U19 team.
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