For men’s volleyball’s Joren Zeeman, the accolades seem to keep rolling in. He has been picked as an OUA First Team All-Star, the OUA Male Athlete of the Week and CIS Second-Team All-Canadian. Yet the middle hitter said these honours don’t satisfy him. An OUA banner already in hand, Zeeman’s eyes are only on the CIS gold.
“I’m really not in it for the accolades, at least not right now. It’s all about getting that gold medal.” Despite injuries in the beginning of the season, the men’s volleyball team finished the regular season with a16-4 record and won the OUA title last weekend. Zeeman said the team’s bench players are one of its strengths.
“Our depth is a big thing, with those injuries,” he said. “We have really come together. We are playing as a unit, not a bunch of individuals.”
Now in his third year, Zeeman stands as one of the leading figures on his Gaels team, however he said he doesn’t see the pressure of leadership as burdensome.
“I’m not pressured, but I defiantly feel responsibility to be one of the leaders,” he said. “There are many leaders on this team. It’s not on one person’s shoulders, everyone leads in their own way.”
Zeeman said winning the OUA title after two consecutive silver medal performances alleviated a lot of pressure going into nationals.
“The whole time it has been the OUAs and at least winning the first round matchup at CIS,” he said. “Winning the banner took a lot of weight off our shoulders, especially for a lot of the third year guys; we didn’t want to be second best best this time. Even with the banner we aren’t one of the big names in the CIS, so right now we are playing under the radar.”
One of the more intriguing parts of the CIS final is that many of the teams are largely unknown to one another. Zeeman said it doesn’t put anyone at a disadvantage.
“We will get some of their game tape,” he said. “Ultimately, neither team knows much about their opposition; they are in the same boat as us”.
Favourite song?
“Toes” by Zac Brown Band
What reality show do you most want to go on?
Survivor.
Team’s favourite movie to watch on the bus?
Anything Mark Wahlberg.
Favourite Vancouver Olympics moment?
Alexandre Bilodeau.
UFC or boxing?
UFC.
Favourite comedian?
Mark Wahlberg.
Best show on TV?
Entourage, produced by Mark Wahlberg.
Best late-night food spot in Kingston?
Bubba’s.
Sport you most want to try?
Synchronized swimming.
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be ed, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to [email protected].