A point is never decided in a game of volleyball until one side of the net lets the ball touch the floor. It takes the teamwork of six players to keep the ball afloat, a skill that is also vital in completing quality group projects and solid relations among peers. Captain of Sheridan’s men’s volleyball team and a third year in the Child and Youth Care program, Aisosa Omoruyi, describes it as a working machine made up of different parts where no role is bigger than the other.
“Teamwork means understanding yourself from a different perspective,” he said. “It’s a single lens where everyone is seeing things together.”
Omoruyi’s mindset is certainly shared among his teammates as Lucas Matthews, a first-year in the Electrical Engineering Technician program who plays outside hitter for the men’s volleyball team, adds that trust is important to building good teamwork, both on the court and in the classroom.
“Volleyball has taught me how to work with others, which has helped me in the classroom a lot,” he said. “Teamwork means relying on each other to make each of your jobs easier. You must trust that they will do their job, and they must trust you. That trust has to be built over time and is not really found instantly.”
Matthews first started playing volleyball after watching his older brother compete at multiple tournaments. He is now eight years into the sport, having won the OVA 2022 Provincial Gold with his club, Durham Attack 17U, before coming to the Bruins and making his debut as a starter in the OCAA.
“Lucas came into this year as a rookie with the opportunity to immediately contribute as a starter and has taken this role and embraced it,” said Head Coach Liam. “Being able to watch how much he has improved in the short two months since the start of our season has been a pleasure to witness and leaves me excited to see what he can accomplish.”
Omoruyi also played in the OVA before joining the volleyball team at Georgian College, where he competed for a year. However, wanting to get into social work and be closer to home, he transferred to Sheridan and enrolled in the Child and Youth Care program. After winning back-to-back Provincial Bronze medals—one with Georgian College and his second with Sheridan in the 2021-2022 season—it is no surprise Omoruyi was named Captain of the team for his leadership and character.
“Sosa, as our captain, has become a role model for his teammates to look up to through his intense work ethic and drive to better himself and the team,” said Coach Liam. “No matter what role he is given, he takes it on with a full head of steam and performs to the best of his abilities day in and day out, leaving no room for anyone to question his drive to succeed.”
With a radiant voice, Omoruyi reminisced about his Provincial Bronze medal with Sheridan as the moment that stood out to him the most. When remembering his first year playing as a starting setter for the Bruins, Omoruyi said that “leadership, self-awareness and accountability is what it takes to be a setter. Because you’re in touch with the ball so often, you feel like the entire game is on you, but being able to say, ‘That was my mistake, I will do better,’ builds trust with the team.”
The team earned their first win of the season on November 18th against the Boreal Vipers with a final score of 3-2. Omoruyi excellently performed five assists, second most to teammate, Nathan Jager. There are moments in volleyball when the court slows down, allowing players to breathe before bursts of high-intensity and explosive movements soon follow. Just like students returning from Reading Week, equipped to buckle down for the semester’s final stretch, Omoruyi says the biggest lesson he learned on the court that helps him focus as a student is managing one’s own emotions.
“It’s something I use in everything I do and will help me with my work,” he said. “It takes a lot of energy to work with children, but it’s about showing up and keeping calm, knowing what I can and cannot control. It’s a lesson I will keep in mind for the rest of my life.”
Meanwhile, Matthews executed an exceptional .350 K% against the Vipers, noting that he concentrates on the mind to stay focused. It is not uncommon for an outside hitter to get the most sets in a game; it is in that split second between hand and ball that can determine the outcome of a scoring point.
“I think you have to be strong mentally to be a good outside hitter,” Matthews said. “If you get down on yourself earlier in the game, you won’t be able to score points for your team when they need you.”
They say time is not always the biggest factor when it comes to friendships. Although Matthews’ time with the Bruins has just begun, their road trips to London and Windsor have been a defining moment for him to have fun and get to know his teammates.
“Every day [Lucas] is trying to better his game and treats every opportunity he gets with the utmost respect as he fine-tunes his craft to help the team succeed,” said Coach Liam of Matthews’ performance since joining the Bruins.
And for Omoruyi, as he prepares for a career in Child and Youth Care, he looks toward the remaining half of the season prior to graduation. Commenting on his time as captain, Omoruyi said, “Luckily, I don’t have to worry much about keeping our spirits high because they always are,” he said. “But if motivation is ever needed, I use my sense of humour to help the team.”
A true testament to his words, Coach Liam could not agree more. “Having gotten the opportunity to have played with Sosa and now coach him, he amazes me every day with his outstanding positive attitude he brings to the gym, which helps bring the best out of all his teammates around him.”