Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
Import Roy Ching hammers a kill for BU on Thursday night at Neelin. (BRUCE BUMSTEAD/BRANDON SUN)
Ben Glue may not be with the Brandon University Bobcats men’s volleyball team this season, but he’s still had an impact.
Glue helped recruit Roy Ching to the Bobcats and has essentially become a personal consultant for the first-year import setter.
Ching and Glue, who led the Bobcats with 3.61 kills per set from his right-side position last season, are very close after having grown up on the same street in Nelson, New Zealand. Ching has contacted Glue, who’s playing professionally in Sweden this season, because he’s not only wearing his friend’s number, 11, but he is fighting for his old position.
Although he was recruited as a setter, the 6-foot-5, 210-pound Ching has been competing for the vacant starting right-side spot, and he believes he needs some help to land the spot.
"I’ve already asked him for a couple tips," said Ching, who’s six years younger than Glue. "I’ll definitely be asking him for some advice considering he did so well over here."
Bobcats head coach Grant Wilson decided to look at using Ching at other positions because BU already has a strong setting tandem in fifth-year Brandonite Garrett Popplestone and second-year David Stasica, who’s from Winnipeg.
Wilson is still considering four different players for the right side, and he is really impressed with what the former New Zealand national team member has shown in training camp and the team’s first exhibition match.
"Roy right now is being flexible for us and being able to play on the right side, and he’s good enough to do that," Wilson said. "He’s probably one of our best blockers. He puts up a real strong block and he’s going to be a big part of our team as well."
Learning a new position has given Ching a different perspective on the game. He’s used to seeing it from a setter’s view and from the bench, and he likes being able to play right side.
While Ching isn’t sure if he’ll start at right side when the Bobcats begin the Canada West season in Regina on Oct. 26, Wilson thinks he’s done a good job learning a new position so far.
"He’s such a big, strong kid, he swings hard and he’s smart," Wilson said. "He’s maybe not as consistent as Ben was, but that’s part because he hasn’t had the reps Ben had as a full-time player. I think with the reps in practice and hard work, he’ll be a pretty consistent force out there."
In the future, Ching would like to move back to his natural setting position. For his first season in North America, the 19-year-old is happy to play any role he can with the team.
He thinks Brandon has the right personnel to have a great season, and he will do anything he can to help the Bobcats return to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport championship tournament.
He’s also going to continue to enjoy his time with the team.
"It’s been really fun so far," Ching said. "The team is a really good group of guys. We’re all really close and get along really well. Brandon’s been nice to me so far, so I’ve been enjoying it."
» cjaster@brandonsun.com
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition September 29, 2012
We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.
You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.
The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Ben Glue may not be with the Brandon University Bobcats men’s volleyball team this season, but he’s still had an impact.
Glue helped recruit Roy Ching to the Bobcats and has essentially become a personal consultant for the first-year import setter.
Already subscribed? Login to view full article.
Not yet a subscriber? Click Here to Signup
Ben Glue may not be with the Brandon University Bobcats men’s volleyball team this season, but he’s still had an impact.
Glue helped recruit Roy Ching to the Bobcats and has essentially become a personal consultant for the first-year import setter.
A subscription to the Brandon Sun Newspaper is required to view this article. Please update your user information if you are already a newspaper subscriber.
Most Popular
Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments
You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.