Reds’ future faces: Marc White

After devastating New Brunswick high school teams for four years, Marc White is ready to make the jump to the AUS.

The Fredericton native and first-year business student will join the UNB men’s volleyball squad as a left side hitter this season.

White sat down with The Brunswickan to discuss his game and the Reds’ chances of finally ending Dalhousie’s reign of terror over the AUS.

Brunswickan: What got you into volleyball?

Marc White: I grew up playing all the sports; just kind of tried everything. My Dad always told me to do what you like and stick with what you’re good at. So, I started cutting down when I got into volleyball. Throughout high school, that was my main sport from grade nine on. It’s kind of a religion at our school. We’re pretty well known for volleyball at Ecole Sainte-Anne. My first two years we won AA banners and then we moved up to AAA and won my last two years as well. So, that’s why I made the switch to volleyball. Plus, the coaching was awesome.

B: Why did you choose UNB?

MW: I talked to Dan (McMorran) and he said a lot of good things and that new gym is looking awfully promising. I like the direction the team is going in. I like the strategy they’re taking to become a better team. Dan’s obviously a good recruiter because they’re starting to bring in some good players and I think we’re going to have a shot a beating some of the top teams in a few years; hopefully this year – the sooner, the better.

B: Where do you think you’ll fit in this UNB squad?

MW: I’m not really sure, yet. Nothing’s really established. There’s a young group of left side hitters and I think it’s going to be a battle throughout the year with everybody pushing each other and, hopefully, it’ll make us become better players. It’s whatever is best for the team. Some guys will play and the other will keep pushing. Everybody has a role on the team and you’ve got to stick with it.

B: What is the strongest part of your game?

MW: The strongest part of my game is passing and, obviously, when I get a set, I’m not going to anything else except try to pound it as hard as I can. It’s going to be different this year as opposed to high school when I would just go up and wail over blocks, but this year guys are going to be 6’10” and still pretty good jumpers. So, I’m going to have change my game around a little.

B: How do you feel about making the jump from high school level volleyball to the AUS level?

MW: For me, it wasn’t that big of a jump. I went to the Canada Games last summer and played against guys like Max Bird and other good guys from Alberta and B.C. I’ve seen that level of play already, but not quite as high. Also, my high school team went to college tournaments and played teams like UNBSJ and St. Thomas and we did pretty well. We beat STU both years and we kind of go half and half with UNBSJ. So, that really helped me.

B: What is the key to your success on the court?

MW: I would say working at the gym. Honestly, when I started hitting the gym real hard, it made a huge difference. When you’re playing against those bigger boys, you’ve got to hit the ball harder otherwise it’s too easy. You’ve got to be able to jump higher and have a stronger platform. Working out made a huge difference for me.

B: What will it take for UNB to end Dalhousie’s streak of 24 consecutive AUS titles?

MW: I think it’s the mentality. I think UNB has had the team to do it in the pass, but I think it’s just all in their heads. I think you just need one group of guys and say ‘whatever it’s just DAL. Let’s go out and smack them.’ Once that happens and we beat them once or twice, we’ll be right with DAL from here on in.