“Surreal” and “super cool”.
Those are only a few words head coach Keegan Kuhr used to describe Keyano’s success at the ACAC men’s volleyball championship.
The Keyano Huskies defeated Lethbridge in straight sets to claim their first ACAC men’s volleyball title.
The Huskies came close the past three years in the tournament collecting two silver medals and a bronze.
However, the fourth time was the charm.
“It’s a pretty surreal feeling. It’s something that this team and myself have been working [on] for a long time. It was a super awesome feeling.”
The desire of Kuhr’s players to excel showed throughout the regular season, finishing 22-2 for the best record in the North division and a #2 ranking in Canada.
Keyano ventured to Edmonton for the ACAC championship defeating Briercrest, Alberta-Augustana, and Lethbridge in straight sets to win the championship.
“I think the talent matched the discipline that every single one of players had to want to be great, and played well.” said coach Kuhr. “So, that was important as well.”
A native of Fort McMurray and former Keyano volleyball player, Keegan Kuhr’s became one of the best coaches in Alberta.
During the season, Kuhr collected his 100th win as a head coach since taking over the reins in 2013-14.
“Living here my whole life, and not necessarily doing as well as we could have done, but getting back behind the coaching and bringing everyone together to try and make this run and get our first ever championship was super cool.”
National championships and the future
With the win, Keyano College is seeded in Pool A of the CCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship.
Joining the Huskies in the group will be the silver medallists from last year’s tournament, the Fanshawe Falcons from London, Ont., Quebec’s Griffons de L’Outaouais, and the Holland Hurricanes of P.E.I.
“Our preparation has already started to look at them, and see what we can do when we face off against them.”
Once the season ends, the hard work begins as Coach Kuhr and the program scour the region, Canada, and the volleyball world for the next crop of Huskies for next year.
“We’re going to be retooling here. We do lose about eight guys, which is a significant amount, but I’m confident that we can retool here throughout the summer, and continue to be one of the best programs in the ACAC and one of the best programs in Canada.”
The Huskies’ first match is against the Griffons de L’Outaouais on Mar. 7, 2019. For more information and to live stream games, check out the CCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship website.
The boys in all their glory!!! #ACACMVB2019 Gold Medalists! pic.twitter.com/Qh4JJtyZl8
— Huskies Athletics (@keyanohuskies) February 24, 2019
