Being in the right place at the right time is always a good practice.
For New Westminster’s Nicholas Toews, it’s taken just a bit of an adjustment.
A starter with the high school’s senior boys volleyball team, Toews made a conscious decision at the team tryouts to sacrifice his strongest position to bolster the team’s depth.
Now, outside hitter is the right place, even if it’s a fairly new place for the Grade 11 student athlete.
“I thought there’s already a couple of setters trying out so why not give them a bit of a chance and maybe improve my game in other areas,” said Toews, who spent the previous five years almost exclusively at setter.
“The biggest adjustment is definitely passing. As a setter you’re always kind of hidden behind players, always in the shadows and never really practicing the pass, so learning to pass at a reliable and consistent rate is definitely something of a challenge.”
It’s not often a provincial-level player makes such a concession, but, as Toews says, it was all about the team.
The teen is coming off a very busy summer of volleyball, including making the provincial team as a setter and winning a B.C. beach volleyball title. Learning a new position seemed to be a risky exercise, but saw it as an interesting challenge.
The Hyacks began the season with some positive vibes from the Douglas College tournament a month ago, registering a solid win over Fraser Heights and some strong play all around. Although they didn’t build on that at the UBC tournament, and dropped their league opener two weeks ago, 3-0 to No. 6-ranked 3-A rival Moscrop, neither saw New West with a full lineup. They were also edged 3-1 by Alpha.
It’s not expected to be an easy ride, but the aim is to build and get stronger to qualify for the Burnaby-New West league playoffs, with a top-three finish earning them a spot at the Lower Mainlands. A good run would do wonders confidence-wise for a roster that includes four Grade 10s.
In a school where football and basketball loom large, and volleyball trails nearly a handful of sports in the high-profile department, any strong showing could be chalked up as a moral victory.
Toews, however, is looking for more.
“Momentum is probably one of the biggest factor in the game, especially professional play,” said Toews. “If someone makes an insane dig, an insane kill that gets the point, the whole bench, the whole team is going to go wild, and the momentum has changed significantly.”
He gathered his own momentum by surviving a lengthy Team B.C. tryout route this summer, including a four-day camp in Kamloops, to be selected to and play for the province’s 16-under team two months ago in Richmond. Although the team finished its run in last spot, it was a learning experience that is going to pay off down the road, he said.
“It was a little demoralizing because losing every game when you put your heart out there kind of crushes you but volleyball’s all about attitude. You really just have to stay positive.”
Toews was introduced to the sport by older brother Jakob while the two were students in Malaysia six years ago. The family, which had spent the previous handful of years residing in London, England, have done its share of moving around. New West has been the home base, however, just as setter was the younger Toews’ chosen spot.
Stepping aside to take on a new position showed a lot of character, the Hyacks coach said.
“When I first walked into the gym for the tryouts I saw (Toews’) presence there,” said first-year bench boss Billy Lee. “He is willing to play a different position so that he can give another opportunity to other people. It’s just that mindset that’s amazing.
“I was a mediocre player, and I would never had given up my position for someone else. He’s just a very humble person.”
From his new vantage point, Toews does bring a different impact to the game. As the team’s most vocal leader, leaping into a nice pass for the kill is quite something when successful.
“I’d say the biggest momentum rush is definitely getting a huge kill, a huge kill is amazing,” he said. “On top of that if you get a huge kill against someone who is an amazing blocker that is a big boost.”
While beach volleyball is a different game, with just two players per side digging and smashing outdoors, the past summer’s provincial 16u win was another case of being in the right place at the right time. He and partner Markus Wong have been together in club for five years, but only the past two seasons dug their heels into the beach game.
“I thought we just clicked the whole tournament. It was definitely tough, we played against some very good teams but in the end we were just very good and took it away,” said Toews. “On the beach you’re getting all the touches. On the court you can get a point where you don’t touch the ball but still win the point. (But) on the beach you’re destined to touch the ball every single point.”
Although playoffs are circled as the goal this year – with anything else that comes with it – the lanky teen said playing a positive role with his team and absorbing everything that comes with being a leader is something he embraces eagerly. Making the move from setter was about confidence, as well as sacrifice.
“I try to connect the team with my voice so every single point I’m trying to speak up, do whatever that can encourage the team. If you’re silent on the court, you’re probably not winning that point,” he noted.
“Through volleyball, I hope to be a more well-rounded person, just my personality in general. I strive to be social and meet new friends. In the game, I like to expand my game knowledge and experience on the court.”
Lee said there’s no doubt that Toews can make the adjustment. He’s hoping it won’t distract any possible university scouts from sizing the player up as a potential recruit, either at his regular position, or the new one.
“Most of our sets are going to Nick, even though he’s never played outside hitter before. He’s doing an amazing job, and doing a lot of kills for us. Even at back row, he’s hitting most of the balls over the net and killing most of the balls for us. Nick is a big, big presence on our team,” said Lee.
