Five cousins set to play at Alberta Winter Games
By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter
Photo Courtesy of Kristopher Dirks
Out of the 12 kids from Zone 2 in Alberta chosen to play on the 15U team, five of them are from Strathmore.
Joshua Dirks (#3), Matthew Dirks (#6), Isaac Dirks (#7), Asher Rilling (#5) and Jared Rilling (#8) are all 13- and 14-year-old siblings/cousins who attend schools in Strathmore.
The five have all been playing volleyball for many years with both school teams and the Strathmore Volleyball Club (SVC). They all follow in their parents’ footsteps, all of whom played high school or college volleyball, or beach volleyball.
“I like playing with my family and my cousins, it’s super fun,” said Matthew Dirks, who has overcome some challenges in his volleyball career to date – he was off his leg for a long time following two surgeries on his knee after being diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans.
Although they may have all been raised together playing the game, each player has developed their own unique set of skills that they utilize to make a well-rounded team.
Asher prefers to play setter so he can always be in the play, Matthew likes to play right side of power so he can hit the ball, Isaac likes hitting the ball in any power position, Joshua plays middle so he can either spike or block and Jared prefers left side power so he can either hit the ball or pass it.
Their skills and assets for playing the game also vary; from playing as a left-handed setter, being quick on their feet, being a powerhouse hitter, being able to anticipate the play and putting in a lot of worth ethic; to make them each the best possible player they can be and helping to build a strong team together as well.
“Sports teach you so many lessons – how to be a leader, (how to be) humble, (how) to exercise – and they will make you well-rounded,” said Isaac Dirks, who added “if you love (what you do) you have to work hard at it.”
Each of the young players hope their hard work, determination and skills in the sport can help each of them secure a place on a university team so they can continue playing the sport they love competitively even after they’ve graduated high school.
It will be the first time any of the five have played at the Alberta Winter Games level.
“I hope we can compete and do well even against potentially stronger teams,” said Asher who, along with his younger brother Jared, will be following in their older brother Jonathan’s footsteps. Jonathan Rilling played with the Zone 2 basketball team for the 2018 Alberta Summer Games.
The 2020 Alberta Winter Games take place Feb. 14-17 in Airdrie.