After many spikes, digs, and games, it is the people that Virden’s Amy Lewis enjoyed most about her experience this summer with Team Manitoba.
It was the third summer with a provincial volleyball team for the daughter of Colleen and Jason Lewis. This time around she helped the youth team compete at the Canada Cup in Halifax in July.
“The experience was so great and I’m so glad I did it,” Lewis said.
When asked about what she enjoyed most, the Virden Collegiate Institute student said, “It’s hard to choose just one element that was my favourite, but I would have to say the people. Every year I make so many great friends that will last a lifetime, as well as I get to bond more with my friends from Virden and Brandon who I’ve known since I was little.
“I also get to learn from amazing coaches who always work so hard to better me as a player. This year I had Chris Cara and he is the best. I hope I get to play for him again.”
Cara was pleased to have Lewis on the team, which placed ninth against tough competition. He described her as a very good all-around player who competed at left side for Team Manitoba.
“(She) is a very consistent player in both the front and back row,” Cara said. “Amy passes and plays defence quite well and picks her spots when in the front row.”
Suiting up for Team Manitoba meant a busy summer for Lewis. “To play on the provincial team you have a pretty hefty schedule because you only have a short amount of days to work with your team,” she said.
She explained that in June there are practices twice a week in Winnipeg and players are expected to work out on their own twice a week if they live out of the city. In June, practices are daily – and often include twice a day sessions – at the (Canada Games) Sport for Life Centre with team workouts two or three times a week at the High Performance Centre. This is for about two or three weeks and then the team heads off to compete for a week.
Lewis emphasized that her parents have provided immense support over the years for her volleyball career.
“My mom has travelled with me from coast to coast, following me to cheer me on in the stands every single tournament,” she said. “I actually can’t remember a tournament she hasn’t come to in the six years that I’ve been playing. She dedicates so much time and energy into helping me succeed and I wish I could repay her for it. She played some volleyball in college and I’m excited to try to follow in her footsteps and play post-secondary as well.”
Next up for Lewis will be her Grade 12 season at VCI.
“I am so excited to have Mr. Curtis Plett as my coach again for my final year playing high school because I haven’t had him since JV and I really love his coaching style,” she said. “He works hard with me to make me better. I look up to him and hope I can be a coach like him some day.”
