October 5th, 2010 - Langley, BC
As this weekend's matches loom closer and the Spartans are getting amped up for another Canada West exhibition series we want to look at a couple players that will receive a bulk of the playing time.
Tale of Two Giants:
This season's preseason training has showcased two of the rising young stars for the TWU Spartans. Daniel Jansen Van Doorn (3rd Middle) and Lucas Van Berkel (2nd Middle) have been in the middle (pun intended) of a great battle. Heading into the season it looked like one of the two giants would start while the other would be in a reserve role. As the season looms closer these two have been two of the top performers in practice and in training thus far. Standing 6'8 & 6'9 respectively, Dan and Lucas have made eachother better by competing daily head to head. When teams have depth as the Spartans do this year the concept of iron sharpens iron becomes a very real and dangerous weapon. Dan and Lucas are the recipients of that sharpening as they prepare to cut up some opponents in the weeks to come.
Daniel Jansen Van Doorn:
Heading into his third year with the team Dan has worked hard to put himself into a position to be a threat in Canada West. His training and work away from the court over the past two seasons are now paying dividends in his on court performance. While he still has a lot to learn about performing on a day in and day out basis his high end potential keeps raising. This past off season Dan has put his body in a shape that matches his stature...huge. He has trimmed some of the young athlete excess and has left himself an explosive and quick toolbox to work from. He has always been a dominant presence blocking but now he is adding an attacking presence that makes him a multi-dimentional player. Add an improving jump serve and we may be witnessing the coming out party of a Canada West star.
Lucas Van Berkel:
He came to TWU as a highly recruited player from Edmonton Christian High School and Northern Alberta Volleyball Club. His final decision came down to the Bears of Alberta and the Spartans. The Faithful and Spartans are all thankful to be the beneficiaries of Lucas' decision. At 6'9 Lucas possesses international size and after this summer's experience on the Junior National Team he also has some international experience. Lucas finished the NORCECA tournament as the 4th highest rated plus/minus player in the tournament based on stats compiled by Volleyball Canada. His performance was impressive on its own but considering the fact that Lucas had season ending surgery last January it makes his quick recovery to the international age group level the more impressive. Lucas' special skill set of size and athleticism hasnt been seen to this level a lot in the Canada West. Combine that with his tireless work ethic and you have a budding superstar.
Look for these two to garner a lot of playing time through the preseason for the Spartans. The injury bug has hit the Langley squad and the response has been to move the previous two season's starting middle players to the wings. Rudy Verhoeff (4th) and Josh Doornenbal (5th) have been mainstays in the middle of the Spartan formation for the past two years together. They were arguably the top middle pairing over these seasons. Now in the wake of the injuries they have been training and playing wide opening up the middle of the court for Giants. While injuries often hurt a team beyond repair this season's injuries have given the opportunity for both of these two giants to step in to a playing role. While their head to head battles continue to rage they are no longer competing to see who plays. Now they are competing to make each other better in the attempt to take it out on who ever dares oppose the Spartans.
Look for the giant sighting to take place this Thursday, October 7th at 6pm in Abbotsford, BC at MEI where the Spartans take on the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack.
Go Spartans!!!
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