By: Mike Still, Dalhousie Athletics
The Cobequid Educational Centre (CEC) in Truro, Nova Scotia, has churned out several talented high school volleyball players over the years.
Two of those players are Kristen O’Brien and Adam Sandeson, who are now in their fifth and fourth years with the Dalhousie Tigers, respectively, and are looking to bring home a record 34th AUS banner to the university at the end of the 2016-17 season.
O’Brien and Sandeson played two years together at CEC. For both athletes, the decision to come to perennial powerhouse Dalhousie wasn’t a difficult one.
O’Brien’s rookie season in 2012-13 served as a transition year for the Tigers, as there were 11 other first year players also joining the team.
“It definitely made it easier, because we were all going through the same thing,” says O’Brien.
“I had a lot of guys that I could hang out with or ask questions and kind of resonate with what they were going through.”
In Sandeson’s case, having a prior relationship with athletes such as O’Brien was a huge plus.
“It was an easier transition than maybe going to play somewhere in Ontario or otherwise, because I knew most of the people on the Dal team already, including Kristen,” says Sandeson.
The friendship that the two players have established over the years has been a positive both on and off the court. They have now played together for over half a decade.
“At times, he [Adam] would ask me a question or turn to me for advice, but I think that happens with anyone coming into university, you ask the older guys to kind of learn the ropes,” explains O’Brien.
“We’re definitely pretty good buddies, though, so that helps,” adds O’Brien. “We communicate very well on the court, so it’s definitely nice to have those kinds of people around as well.”
Both athletes have thrived in their time with the Tigers. O’Brien is a three-time AUS all-star, while Sandeson was named the 2014-15 AUS Libero of the Year, and was an all-star last season as well.
The two standouts have assumed leadership roles with Dalhousie. Both players acknowledged that they tended to be less vocal in the past, but that has increased in the past few seasons.
“Obviously, things change as the expectations get higher, and I have higher expectations from the coaching staff and other players now that I’m in my fifth year, as opposed to my first,” says O’Brien.
“And it’s also knowing that the young guys look up to you, so you need to hold yourself to a higher standard with not only what you’re doing on the court but also in terms of school and in the community.”
For Sandeson, being a role model to other players on the team is something he has started to become more comfortable with.
“It’s just kind of a natural acceptance when you get into those third, fourth and fifth years, you take on more with the team,” says Sandeson.
“That can range from anything from organizing events, to making sure guys are working hard at practice and then performing on your own as well.”
You can see O’Brien and Sandeson in action next on AUSTv.ca when the Tigers head to UNB this weekend to take on the Varsity Reds on both Saturday and Su