This youthful Tigers squad is hungry to recapture the AUS banner for a record 37th time in the 2017-18 season.
Four starters return to the lineup from last season. Leading the way is a pair of AUS all-stars. Fifth-year outside hitter Matthew Donovan (AB Lucas, ON) will be a primary point-producer, while third-year middle blocker Matthew Woods (Citadel) will provide a strong presence at the net. Fourth-year setter Adam Spragg (Bradford, ON) will run the Tigers offence, while second-year outside hitter Jeff Walton (Lasalle, ON) will build on an outstanding rookie campaign last season.
A strong core of returning players will play prominent roles for the squad this season. Second-year middle blocker Graham Schmuland (Sir Winston Churchill, AB) will be an immediate impact player for the Tigers after sitting out as a redshirt last season. Outside hitters Harrison Callaghan (third-year, Citadel) and Kobe Shannon (second-year, Citadel) will challenge for starting roles. Also in the mix is second-year middle blocker Jasper Kristmanson (Fredericton High, NB) who was the Tigers most improved player last season.
Following the graduation of AUS MVP Kristen O'Brien and AUS all-star Adam Sandeson, several first-year players will look to make their mark this year. Nicolas Faulkner (CEC) and Justin Drapeau (Riverview, NB) are exciting outside hitter prospects, while liberos Mathieu Lavoie (St. Paul's, MB) and Matthew Sandeson (CEC) are promising backcourt specialists. Setter Malachy Shannon (Citadel) brings size and experience to the Tigers. All of the Tigers first-year players were selected to their respective provincial Canada Games teams this past summer.
A pair of talented players will redshirt with the squad this season. Third-year outside hitter/libero Christian Fricke (Alexander von Humboldt, QC), who earned a silver with partner Kobe Shannon at the 2017 Canada Games in beach volleyball; and fifth-year middle blocker Cody Timmons (Sackville High, NS) who is a former AUS playoff MVP.