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Former Keyano College Huskies Off to CCAA Championships
03/03/2010...Fort McMurray...The Keyano College Huskies men’s and women’s volleyball programs have provided a stepping stone for several athletes.
The 2008-2009 Canadian College Athletic Association (CCAA) Male Player of the Year Alwyn Piche now wears the university uniform of the Saskatchewan Huskies.
Two other former Huskies, Robyn Denney and Keegan Kuhr are now off to the CCAA women’s and men’s volleyball championships respectively.
Robyn Denney is heading east to Gatineau, Quebec for the CCAA women’s championships March 12-14 with the Red Deer College Queens. The Queens captured the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) banner recently with a 25-17, 25-11, 25-21 decision against Edmonton’s Grant MacEwan Griffins.
Denney, a graduate of Westwood Community High School Trojans program, is not only a champion on the court but off of it as well.
“This year at college has been great, my GPA was 3.9,” said Denney, who’s younger sister Desiree was a first-year libero for the Keyano Huskies. “Some of the highlights were having a 19-1 record this year, winning provincials and now going to nationals.”
Denney, who also has an older sister Nicole who played high school volleyball for the Trojans, realized the shift south to Red Deer for 2009-2010 would mean less playing time.
“This year I didn’t get to play all that much. I was a rookie on the team and had to wait my turn behind three really great left side players. I knew that coming in,” stated the 5-foot-9 Denney. “Next year I’ll have a lot more playing time. I have learned a lot playing with my team mates, especially Katie Graves who was All Canadian last year as well as Jessica Clutton who is All Canadian this year.”
Of her first trip to nationals, Denney replied: “Going to nationals, wow, it’s an amazing feeling. I can’t even explain how happy I am."
Denney also credits the Huskies volleyball program for “improving her game.”
“Coming out of high school I was not the strongest player,” admits Denney. “I was middle in high school and switched to left side in my first year of college. Playing for Melissa (Laluk) really improved my defence as well as my attacking. She pretty much worked on my entire game. Had I not played for Keyano...I would not have had the guts to try out for (Red Deer College) let alone make it through tryouts.”
Former Keyano Huskies men’s volleyball setter Keegan Kuhr will be participating in his second consecutive CCAA championship as his current team – the SAIT Trojans – captured the ACAC championship defeating the Briercrest College Clippers of Caronport, Sask., 3-1 with scores of 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, and 25-19) at the SAIT Campus Centre gym.
It was the Calgary schools first ACAC title in 25 years and the journey to nationals is a quick trip north as they will be held March 11-13 at Edmonton’s Grant MacEwan University.
Kuhr, a graduate of Father Patrick Mercredi Community High School, was a member of the Huskies team that hosted the 2008-2009 CCAA men’s volleyball championships. A team that at one time was ranked No. 1 in the CCAA.
Like Denney, Kuhr has had to pay his dues during his first year at SAIT Polytechnic.
“The year has been amazing,” said the 5-foot-11 Kuhr, who like Denney played for the Huskies from 2006-2009. “I could have not asked for anything better, I came in knowing that I was going to be a back-up to support and push our starting setter Justin Kilb.
"I got into games a couple of times this year to help out if we were struggling. Unfortunately I injured my shoulder and missed eight games. That was hard to sit and not practice but I was always their supporting the team. Being on SAIT has pushed me to be a better player, having to push Justin to make him better has in turn made me an awesome player. I have learned so much from Justin and I thank him for that.”
Of the fact that he is attending his second consecutive CCAA championship, Kuhr said:”Going to nationals for the second time in a role is so special and with a different team I am so happy. I still hold the Huskies close to my heart but I am a Trojan now and proud to wear that jersey. I have been trying since I started with volleyball to reach these two goals...get my gold in provincials and now I want to help my team get gold in nationals.”
Of his Huskies experience, Kuhr had these remarks: “Trent Mason (former Huskies coach and CCAA 2008-2009 Coach of the Year) coached me from Grade 12 and during my three years at Keyano. He really helped me become the player I am today. I can’t forget about (Huskies former assistant coach) Sean Thomas, who was always giving me heck and pushing me to be better.”
Kuhr’s younger brother, Erik, was also in his rookie season with the Trojans but was red shirted for the 2009-2010 season. The 6-foot-5 Erik did practice though and travel with the team the entire year.
“One of the highlights as a player was getting to be with my brother everyday at practice and at games,” said Keegan (pictured at top of story on the right with Erik). “Greatest moment of my life was winning (ACAC) provincials and sharing it with him.”
