CALGARY, AB - The Mount Royal Men's Volleyball team announces an extremely talented 2020 recruiting class with a mix of high profile College transfers and high school student-athletes. These new faces will look to make an instant impact on the roster.
After graduating a majority of their team following the historic 2018-19 campaign that was Mount Royal's first ever varsity program to compete in the U SPORTS National Championship, last year's squad battled their way into a Canada West quarter-final playoff spot against number one ranked Trinity Western University Spartans.
With veteran leaders Trent Mounter and Matt Saly graduating the program, Head Coach Shawn Sky was busy filling their outside hitter and middle positions to this exciting young team.
Max Haronga
Haronga brings a star-studded resume to Mount Royal this season. He was named the CCAA Player of Year last year as a member of Douglas College. The 6'5" outside hitter dominated the PACWEST leading the conference in kills per set (3.62), points per set (4.43) and aces (40). Hailing from Vancouver, BC, he graduated from Magee Secondary School and was also named the 2019 PACWEST Rookie of the Year. He plans to pursue a Health and Physical Education Degree
"I'm looking forward to competing in a high intensity environment everyday," says Haronga. "I want to perfect my skills and be a role model to incoming players."
Mark DeWit
DeWit was a member of the Red Deer College Kings where he averaged 1.5 kills, .5 blocks and 2.2 points per set. In his last two years, DeWit and RDC made back to back appearances at Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Championships. In 2019, DeWit was named a CCAA Tournament first team All-star. Hailing from Lacombe, AB, the Central Alberta Christian High School graduate plans to complete a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree.
"I'm looking forward to competing against some of the top players in the country in U SPORTS. I believe playing against skilled opponents will force me to raise my level of play and make me grow even more," said DeWit.
"I'm looking to grow as an athlete in many ways," he added. "Because volleyball and sport in general are so mental, I believe if I look after things off the court, my play on the court will improve and I'll become a more complete athlete.".
Zach Lobdell
Lobdell is a 6'5" left side from High River, AB and graduated from Brant Christian High School. A member of Team Alberta for the past two summers, he was one of 12 athletes to travel and compete in Korea last July. The physical outside hitter played his club ball with the Lethbridge Volleyball Club and plans to pursue a degree in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership.
"I am looking forward to pursuing athletics at a much higher level then high school or club as well as the internal and external competition involved within a post-secondary program," said Lobdell. "I am looking to develop into a well-rounded athlete."
James Duerksen
Duerksen is a 6'5" setter from St. Paul High School in Winnipeg, MB and was ranked number three on the Winnipeg Sun's top 10 high school players in Manitoba. He was a member of the Canadian Youth National Team this past summer along with now teammate Chris Byam.
Duerksen played club for the 204 Selects and captured a bronze medal at the U17 Volleyball Canada club nationals last year. He plans to take a Bachelor of Science with the goal of pursuing medicine after his time at MRU.
"I'm really looking forward to developing my game while competing at an extremely high level. I'm also super excited to be able to meet new people on the team and around the school," said Duerksen.
"I'm looking to improve my physicality and speed/agility on the floor. I'm also excited to be able to learn more about the mental aspect of the game especially when it comes to strategizing and understanding the opponents strengths and weaknesses," he added.
