Neelin volleyball star Wilson joins Wesmen
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/12/2024 (356 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
While Kal-El Wilson and the Neelin Spartans finished their mission, the Grade 12 outside hitter is just starting the next one.
The now three-time AAA provincial champ has committed to the University of Winnipeg Wesmen for the 2025-26 Canada West men’s volleyball season.
“They’re just such a positive group and they focus so much on the future of players and building them up as humans. It’s a really good atmosphere,” Wilson said.
Neelin Spartans outside hitter Kal-El Wilson has committed to the University of Winnipeg Wesmen for the 2025-26 Canada West men’s volleyball season. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)
“They’re such a great group to be around and I wanted to have that family feeling, so that was a deciding factor.”
The six-foot-four attacker was named a tournament all-star after Neelin clawed back to beat Garden Valley 2-1 in the provincial final.
Wilson never considered the idea of that being his last match as a student-athlete. Since joining this stellar Spartans squad three years ago, Wilson has been set on post-secondary volleyball.
The senior group, including setter Junior Martine, libero and Brandon University commit Kingston Thomas, middle blockers Ethan Olson and Eric Muller and right side Owen Falk, made it fun to show up and grind every day.
“It is just such a good experience … playing with them since Grade 9, it’s been really good building that connection with everybody and having those brothers in the game,” Wilson said.
“[I saw] the potential I can bring to the table and realized, ‘This could work, this could be something for me in the future.’”
The bulk of the Neelin lineup was on the floor for a remarkable victory in May as well, leading the Brandon Volleyball Club to a 17-and-under club provincial crown.
Wilson played right side that weekend and said that’s what Wesmen coach Chris Voth is recruiting him for.
It’ll be a big adjustment, going from one of the tallest hitters in high school, especially in AAA ball, to undersized compared to the giants around Canada West.
Wilson should have some time to adjust, joining a veteran-laden team that’s entering the semester break as the only undefeated U Sports men’s team in the country.
He plans to study kinesiology in the classroom and bring two key components to the U of W lineup.
“A good attitude and being able to hit a good ball. I don’t tip very often, it’s something I have to work into my game, but I swing a lot,” Wilson said, adding his blocking could use some work.
“I’ll be going to U of W as a right side, so getting those big blocks against the big left sides on other teams to slow them down.”
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