FIVE FORMER SPARTANS MAKE SQUAD

The Trinity Western men’s volleyball team will be well-represented on  Volleyball Canada’s senior men’s team as five former Spartans were amongst the 25-man list that was announced for the FIVB Volleyball World League 2015.

The roster features a well-known cast of TWU alumni, including setter Josh Howatson (Victoria), middles Rudy Verhoeff (Calgary), Dan Jansen Van Doorn (Langley) and Lucas Van Berkel (Edmonton) and left side/libero Steven Marshall (Abbotsford, B.C.).

The World League competition begins in Calgary on May 16. http://www.volleyball.ca/node/3786

Spartans on Team Canada 25-Man List

Name – Hometown – Pro Team

Josh Howatson – Victoria, BC – Canada’s National Training Centre

Rudy Verhoeff – Calgary, AB – Ajaccio (France Pro A)

Daniel Jansen Van Doorn – Langley, BC – Tourcoing (France Pro A)

Steven Marshall – Abbotsford, BC – Transfer Bydgoszcz (PlusLiga – Poland)

Lucas Van Berkel – Edmonton, AB – Linköping Volleyball Club (Elitserien – Sweden)

The opening weekend of FIVB World League will see Team Canada face Cuba May 16-17 at the Stampede Corral in Calgary, coinciding with the 2015 Volleyball Canada Championships.

The team will then face Argentina at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax June 5-6, followed by matches against Bulgaria at Credit Union Place in Summerside, P.E.I June 12-13.

“We are excited to get back to World League. We have a tough pool with Cuba, Argentina and Bulgaria, which are all top teams,” said men’s national team head coach Glenn Hoag.  “I think it will be very exciting volleyball for people to see in Canada. It’s going to be a very busy summer for the men’s team, as it’s the start of the final push toward Olympic qualification. We will be focusing on getting everyone ready and keeping everyone healthy.”

Canada will also be participating in the World Cup qualifier in Detroit, Michigan, (May 21 to 23) and the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games (http://www.toronto2015.org/) in July.

The final team roster will be announced closer to the opening weekend.

Thanks to Mark Janzen of Trinity Western University for the info

World League Roster – Hometowns

1. TJ Sanders – London
2. Gord Perrin – Creston
3. Dan Lewis – Oakville
4. Josh Howatson – Victoria
5. Rudy Verhoeff – Calgary
6. Justin Duff – Winnipeg
7. Braden McLean – Birch Hills
8. Adam Simac – Ottawa
9. Dustin Schneider – Brandon,
10. Toon Van Lankvelt – Rivers
11. Daniel Jansen Vandoorn – Langley
12. Gavin Schmitt – Saskatoon
13. Christopher Hoag – Sherbrooke
14. Max Burt – Gander
15. Fred Winters – Victoria
16. Jason DeRocco – East St. Paul
17. Graham Vigrass – Calgary
18. Nicholas Hoag – Sherbrooke
19. Blair Bann – Edmonton
20. Ciaran McGovern – Grande Prairie
21. Jay Blankenau – Sherwood Park
22. Steven Marshall – Abbotsford
23. Christopher Voth – Winnipeg, MB
24. Lucas Van Berkel – Edmonton
25. Casey Schouten – Winnipeg