Familiar last names added to Olds College Broncos men’s volleyball for 2020-21

By Jadon Frank

Olds College Broncos men's volleyball head coach Ryan Marsden has been busy over the winter months with recruitment to build on a strong core of returning student-athletes, only losing a handful of players including third-year libero Davis Wiens, second-year setter Mason Muller to graduation.

"With our team having many players returning from last year we are in a really good position to continue to move forward," Marsden explained. "With the addition of these recruits we expect to be all that more competitive and also thinking about building towards the future. We are lucky to have the new players coming in that we do. It is because of the recent success of our program that we can add such great student athletes! Our Olds College Broncos men's volleyball team will be an exciting team to watch this upcoming season!"

In this release, we will introduce you to three recruits who are following in the footsteps of siblings to join the men's volleyball team this fall.

Here's what you need to know about this recruits:

Askiy Walkingbear: Outside, 6' 2"

Hometown: Thunderchild First Nation, SK

2019/20 high school and club: Thunderchild High School and Thunderchild Thunder

Academic Program: Animal Sciences/Sports Management

Team Accomplishments:
Competed at Volleyball Canada Nationals:

• U15M Volleyball Canada Nationals
• U16M Volleyball Canada Nationals
• U18M Volleyball Canada Nationals

2018 University of Saskatchewan Huskies U16M Volleyball Open Invitational

• Gold Medal Champions

Saskatchewan High Schools Athletics Association (SHSAA) Volleyball

• 2018 Provincial 1A Gold Champions
• 2019 Provincial 2A Gold Champions 

Why did you choose Olds College: "Firstly, I am very honoured in pursuing my career and sport aspirations through hard work, success in academics and as an Indigenous student in becoming a proud Broncos Volleyball athlete competing in Canada's top ACAC volleyball league.
Joining my two older brothers in the Olds College Broncos volleyball program, Thundersky Walkingbear and Ryzen Walkingbear will also be an exciting opportunity to excel our individual and collaborative team play next season which I am preparing to contribute to the Broncos team.
In teasing my older brothers, I let them know that they both brought to the court the jump kill leaps and I am coming to join the Olds Broncos with our family stone hammer!"

Head Coach Ryan Marsden's analysis: "Askiy is such an offensive weapon. He has such a strong net game and are excited for him to contribute in this area. He has won two back-to-back Provincial Championships in Saskatchewan and knows how to win. He joins his two brothers Ryzen and Thundersky."

Ben Gammel: Libero, 5' 9"

Hometown: West Kelowna, BC

2019/20 high school and club: Mount Boucherie and Kelowna Volleyball Club

Academic Program: Business Management

Why did you choose Olds College: "I'm excited to join a growing program with head coach Ryan Marsden. The team seems eager to keep improving and I would love to help play my part in the teams future success."

Head Coach Ryan Marsden's analysis: "We are so excited to add Ben to our team for this upcoming season. He brings with him a tenacious way on how he plays defense. He reads the play well and gets himself in a good position to get lots of digs. His confidence in passing will certainly become a great attribute on our team. Ben's sister plays on the Broncos women's volleyball team (team captain Avery Gammel). Exciting to have a brother and sister in our volleyball programs."

Seth Muller: Middle, 6' 3"

Hometown: Cranford, AB

2019/20 high school and club: St. Mary's and Cranford Cracker Cats

Academic Program: Agriculture and Heavy Equipment

Accomplishments:
4^th in 2A Provincials
Team MVP
Multiple tournament MVPs
Basketball league all-star

Why did you choose Olds College: "My family are proud Bronco's alumni. Both my parents played and one of my older brothers. I look forward to being a part of a strong, competitive ACAC team."

Head Coach Ryan Marsden's analysis: "We are so lucky to have another Muller represent our program. Taking after both his parents and older brother Mason, Seth comes to Olds College this Fall. Seth is a great leaper and volleyball runs through his blood. He is a hard worker and having him a part of our program makes us so much better. Can't wait to see the player that Seth becomes!"

To learn more about Olds College, the Olds College Broncos and the men's volleyball teams go to gobroncos.ca; like the Facebook page and follow @OldsBroncos on Twitter and Instagram.