Mossbank senior boys looking to continue success streak

“Number 15 is up for adoption,” said the father of Riley Wilson, number 15 for the Mossbank senior boys volleyball team. His son’s offence? Serving the volleyball straight into the net and losing a point for his team.

He’s joking, of course, but when one considers that the Mossbank team has four straight top-four finishes at provincials in the last four years, it seems reasonable to have high expectations of the boys.

Fortunately, one missed serve didn’t hurt the team too much; they finished second in the tournament held at Regina’s Campbell Collegiate Oct. 13 to 15. Mossbank lost the final to the home team, the Campbell Tartans, 17-25 and 17-25, after beating Nipawin, Swift Current, Yorkton and Regina’s Balfour Collegiate. The final game was a rematch from the round robin, when Campbell beat Mossbank in two sets and finished first in the pool.

The team, coached by Joel Mowchenko, an organic farmer in the Mossbank area, attended the Saskatchewan 1A provincials for the first time in 2007, and came home with bronze medals. It was the first team medal for Mossbank School. Over the next three years, the team earned another bronze medal, a fourth-place finish and, finally, a gold medal last year.

“It’s amazing how we can win a gold medal in (so few) years at provincials,” said Wilson, who is graduating this year and has played on the team since Grade 10. Wilson has won a bronze and gold medal playing for Mossbank.

When Mowchenko moved to Mossbank from Saskatoon in 2003, he was interested in coaching a football or basketball team. However, Mossbank didn’t have either sport so he asked for a volleyball team instead. Mowchenko coached the bantam boys team for two years, then moved up to take over the senior boys team with his players when they reached Grade 10. In 2007, the team made their first appearance at provincials and returned home with a bronze medal.

Since taking over the senior team, Mowchenko has been working to make the team both highly competitive and inclusive. This means that while the starters see the most court time, every player is an important part of the team and no one is cut during try-outs.

“It’s not that the starters are working on something and the rest of them are just watching or shagging balls for them,” said Mowchenko. “Everybody is involved in every drill.”

This inclusive style has earned Mowchenko the respect of many of his players and their parents, though there have been questions posed regarding the fairness of playing time. Mowchenko is quick to let those who doubt his decisions know that there is more to being a part of a team than just seeing the court.

“I had a guy off our team last year who was a starter at the championship and one of our star players. I talked to him at the end of the summer and he said, ‘You know, when I think back to our season last year, my best memories aren’t stuff on the court. My best memories are hanging out with the guys before games and after games, at the hotel, and bus trips. And even practices. Those are the best memories. I don’t remember much from being on the court or games.’”

Rather than ruling his team with fear and scare tactics, Mowchenko is more likely to deliver pep talks from the sideline.

 “I’ve have quite a few coaches. He might not be as technical as some of the ones I’ve had for Team Sask, but he’s really encouraging. And postitive,” said Carter Howe, who has played for Team Saskatchewan.

Looking to the rest of the high school season, Mowchenko and his players are hoping to make their fifth appearance at provincials and come home champions again.

“There’s no reason why we wouldn’t win,” said player Riley Wilson with a laugh.

Nothing wrong with being confident and the team definitely has the talent but, as Wilson’s dad pointed out, it starts with a serve.

By Tonaya Marr

Photo credit Tonaya Marr