Senior Weekend: Chaim Schalk

January 22nd, 2009

Langley, BC

This weekend marks the final home league weekend for the 2008-2009 Spartans and potentially the final home weekend for 5th year senior setter Chaim Schalk.

Chaim came to TWU following in his brothers' footsteps. Out of high school Chaim attended Red Deer College and won two CCAA National Championships with the Kings. Just as his brothers Jaben and Seth before him. Chaim was a fantastic college player and came to TWU to further his volleyball career at the CIS level and earn his degree in Education.

The tallest of the Schalks, Chaim's role his first year was to back up would be CIS Player of the Year Josh Howatson at the setting position. As fate would have it the injury bug hit the 2006-2007 Spartans with both starting middles Doug Van Spronsen and Clayton Peters going down with injuries (knee & back respectively). In a much talked about move, then Head Coach Ron Pike, moved arguably the best setter in the country to middle and Chaim took over the reins as the starting setter for the remainder of the season. The move was based on the philosophy of putting the team's best players on the floor in the most productive alignment.

Chaim more than just took to the starting setting role, he excelled at it leading the offense and the Spartans to a 3rd place finish in Canada West and a six set sweep of the Saskatchewan Huskies in the first round of the playoffs earning a trip to the Final Four in Edmonton. The Spartans matched up with the second seed Winnipeg Wesmen in the Canada West semi and came out victors earning the right to play the UBC T-Birds who upset the top seeded host Alberta Bears.

The Canada West final was arguably the best match of the season for the Spartans as they dominated from start to finish including a 25-9 second set victory on route to a 3-1 decision. The victory marked TWU's first every Canada West title.

The next step for Schalk and the Spartans was the 2007 CIS National Championships in Hamilton, Ontario. The first round saw the Spartans play the host McMaster Marauders. After dropping the first two sets the Spartans stormed back to win in five emotional sets earning their fourth consecutive national semi final appearance.

Alas the Alberta Bears proved the better team as TWU fell in five epic sets and lost the chance to defend their National Title. To the Spartans credit they responded and beat the T-Birds 3-0 for the bronze medal and their fourth consecutive national medal. Chaim performed brilliantly in the CIS championship and his experiences in Hamilton would serve him well as he headed into his fourth year and first full year as starting setter.

In that off-season long time Spartan Head Coach Ron Pike would step down and former Spartan setter and assistant coach Ben Josephson would be named head coach. Coach Josephson would be very pleased to have a veteran and proven setter in Chaim to lead a mixed group of young and old Spartans in his first campaign.

At Christmas the Spartans were sitting 4-4 and had a couple tough losses. In an attempt to shake things up and following the recent trend of Spartan setters playing other positions Chaim would move to right side for the second semester. Chaim is an amazing volleyball player and his performance on the right side would prove this as he was a very effective attacker for TWU helping the Spartans land their 8th straight playoff appearance. The 07-08 season would end in Winnipeg to the defending National Champion Wesmen through no fault of Schalks.

In the off seasons Chaim plays a lot of beach volleyball where overall skill is key to success. In the 2008 National Beach Championships Chaim and partner Tim Gourlay of the Alberta Bears won the bronze medal and his performance at the tournament would earn him a tryout for Team Canada Beach.

Back on the hard court Chaim was named captain for his senior season along with his great friend Andrew Hawkes. The two are the only 4th or 5th year members of the 08-09 team and their skill, leaderhsip and experience would be needed as the Spartans took to Canada West play.

So far this season Chaim is playing the best volleyball of his career. He has set amazingly well with many young weapons. He has also been called upon to hit one rotation each set as second year setter Ben Ball delivers the ball. This rotation pattern takes full advantage of all that Chaim has to offer the Spartans. In a match with the Manitoba Bisons Chaim put up one of the most impressive stat lines seen by a Spartan of all time. 12 kills, 35 set assists and 7 blocks showing the variety of ways Chaim can effect a game.

As the Spartans head into senior weekend against the TRU Wolfpack look for Chaim to set, block and hit his way to helping TWU to a victory. His overall volleyball ability is on showcase every night and is the major reason the Spartans find themselves in contention for playoffs and a birth to the CIS National Championships in Edmonton.

When one tries to sum up who Chaim is it becomes very difficult. His is a gifted setter. A dangerous blocker. A stout defender. A dynamic hitter. A great teammate. A talented leader. A funny jokester. A loyal friend. An irreplaceable piece and a true Spartan.

Chaim, you will be sorely missed in Spartanland.

A big congratulations on making the Beach National Team.

All the best of luck on senior weekend, in whatever role you will play.

Chaim Schalk
#8
Setter / Right Side
Red Deer, Alberta
Education

Go Spartans!