Bevan earns trust of teammates, coaches

Rookies usually follow someone’s lead, but from Day 1, Cooper Bevan took the lead.

The Australian libero showed up for his first Brandon University men’s volleyball practice last year and did something that left coach Grant Wilson stunned. When it came time to warm up, Bevan was the one directing traffic.

“I’m looking around the gym going, ‘Is this really happening right now?’ It spoke to his ability to read the room and do what needs to be done,” Wilson said ahead of BU’s home pre-season tournament, in which the Bobcats swept the McMaster University Marauders 3-0 on Thursday.

“It wasn’t like he was stepping on anybody’s toes in the current leadership group. It was time to go and he was going to lead the way, and everybody was more than willing to follow.

“It set the tone for how he’s going to influence our group on and off the court.”

Bevan won a starting spot last year, and has earned something much more meaningful to him. For the first time in program history, Wilson said, a second-year player is part of the leadership group, along with seniors Liam Kindle and Sam Chen.

“It is an honour; it’s a privilege. I’m definitely aware of it; the history of BU and the team we have here is special,” Bevan said.

“Leadership is such a prominent part of the team and always has been, so to have that opportunity is incredible.”

The decision isn’t just Wilson’s. He discusses it with his coaching staff and pairs their thoughts with post-season questionnaire feedback from the players.

Bevan’s name consistently came up as a leader, regardless of how long he’s been in Brandon.

While the libero is the most straightforward position from a technical standpoint, they’re usually asked to do more than most rookies in terms of strategy and communication.

Only playing in the back row, they have more opportunities to spot ways to adjust their defence. Also, since they have to sit out a minimum of one point after being replaced by another player, they have a chance to briefly talk about the match with a coach before heading back in.

Wilson said Bevan handled that responsibility well last year and will only get better.

“Being a libero, he’s going to be our defensive quarterback and he’ll be more comfortable in that role this year,” Wilson said.

“He’s going to be the floor general, for the most part, and I don’t have any concerns about it.”

Bevan has been a captain in the past in Australia, and said the Bobcats have made it easy for him to step into the role here.

When it comes to leadership styles, Bevan noted it’s harder to be the type of captain to “put the team on his back” and dominate as a libero, so he has to lead in other ways.

“We have standards, and a big part of the leadership group is living that standard and being the tide that brings the boats up. It’s not one thing you do, it’s everything you do,” Bevan said.

“There are a lot of people that would shut a first-year guy down, but I had the group and coaches embrace it.”

The Bobcats are back in action today at 2 p.m., against the Winnipeg Wesmen.

They play the Saskatchewan Huskies on Saturday at 7 p.m., then the Manitoba Bisons on Sunday at 1 p.m.

» tfriesen@brandonsun.com