MUENSTER — As one chapter ends, another begins. That was the story this winter for the volleyball careers of Muenster siblings Jenay and Lyndon Varga.
At Camrose’s University of Alberta – Augustana Campus, Lyndon wrapped up his stellar five-year career by being named to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) all-star team for the third straight season.
Meanwhile, at Lloydminster, his sister Jenay redshirted at Lakeland College. She practised but did not play to preserve her eligibility and will make her competitive debut for the Rustlers next season.
As they are members of two different ACAC school squads, was there a sibling rivalry between two of Darren and Jewel Varga’s four offspring?
“I think that we both secretly hoped for each other to win and do well, but we couldn’t really cheer for each other as that would look bad if we were cheering for the other school,” Lyndon said.
Jenay was quick to credit Lyndon and their other brother, Devin, who played at Augustana, for having a huge influence on her decision to play college volleyball.
“They were both a great support and always had answers to any questions I had,” said Jenay, who also has a younger brother named Skyler. “They would spend time with me at the gym to help me improve on my skills. They both were invaluable when it came to advice about playing post-secondary volleyball. Without their advice and encouragement, I would not be the player I am today.”
Volleyball is definitely a family game for the Vargas. Both parents played co-ed volleyball and would bring their children along to watch. They also coached many of their offspring’s teams.
Jenay said from the age of six she learned from coaches from around the world and that through her parents’ involvement in the DiGGiT Summer Volleyball Camp she was able to start playing there at age 10.
“Both my parents have always wanted the best for me in my volleyball career and did whatever they could for me to excel at the sport I loved,” said Jenay, whose mother coached her high school and club team.
Lyndon
Augustana head coach Stephen Leggitt said that Lyndon was a strong force at the middle blocker position for the last four years.
In his last season with the Vikings, the 6-foot-4 athlete led the team with 0.60 blocks per set and 53 blocks in 23 matches. Lyndon was tied for third on the Vikings with 2.5 points per set and was fourth with 1.80 kills.
“I think we will miss the stability that he brought to the team the most,” Leggitt said. “Lyndon brought calmness to the team as a leader. He dealt with officials and opponents in a respectful manner and when we were struggling in a match, he was able to calm us down and what we liked to say was ‘Get the Viking boat back on the right path.’”
During his college career, Lyndon enjoyed how competitive the ACAC was and how close the league was. Everyone seemed to know each other, which made games fun.
“There was always some form of respect that you could see from players and coaches where guys that you have played against for a couple years but never have really talked to would come up to you in person to congratulate you on team wins or individual accolades. Sometimes during games, you would joke around with the other team through the net, but could still see the competitive drive to win from both teams.”
While Lyndon had big plays and victories at Augustana, he said it is the friendships that he will remember the most from his time playing for the Vikings.
“You spend a large portion of your time at college being with your teammates for practices, workouts, bus trips, meetings, etc.,” he said. “They become your family away from home. I am fortunate that in my five years here, everyone had everyone’s back regardless of their position on the team. Everyone accepted their role and had fun doing it, which made the whole experience memorable.”
Lyndon will graduate with a physical education degree in the kinesiology and sports studies stream. He is interested in pursuing occupational therapy in the future but is looking into opportunities to play overseas. No matter where life leads Lyndon, he appreciates how his parents have supported his sporting passion.
“My parents have done more than you could ever ask of someone when it comes to supporting me in my volleyball career. Dad coached me for most of my life growing up and Mom came out to watch as many games as possible. They drove me around to games and tournaments for school and clubs all over the place and would spend most of their weekends watching and coaching to give me the opportunity to play. It’s around a six-hour drive to Camrose and they would show up to multiple games a year so you could not really ask for better support.”
Jenay
Jenay, a passing outside hitter, spent the past season focusing on improving her skills and competing in practice as well as few exhibition games. Head coach Austin Dyer said she did an excellent job challenging the Rustlers’ starting lineup, which helped the team to the ACAC bronze medals.
She was named the team’s rookie of the year.
“Jenay is extremely athletic, combined with excellent game sense and a very heavy arm,” Dyer said. “She is a player that is able to do all skills.”
As a first-year college student-athlete, Jenay said she was nervous about undertaking a new experience but found not only a team but a family at Lakeland College.
“After I joined, the players were contacting me and making me feel a part of the team even before the season had begun,” she said. “It made the transition a whole lot easier. As the year went on, I experienced the strength of the bond between all of the players and coaches. We spent a lot of our spare time together as a team, which resulted in a good team relationship. Having this bond between us players resulted in an overall great first year experience for myself.”
Jenay, who is enrolled in the university transfer program, said that the amount of work college players put in was a big difference from her high school and club experience.
“With the Rustlers, we practise and work out daily, always striving to improve in all aspects of the game,” she said. “The level of play in college is much more competitive than it was in high school and club. I enjoy the change in pace of the game and am happy with my decision to continue playing the sport I love.”
