Not too often do athletes get a chance to represent their province, but Humboldt鈥檚 Jay Eichorst is one of the few who do.
Eichorst was one of 12 volleyball players selected to represent Saskatchewan at the upcoming 2018 Canada Cup in Richmond, B.C. from July 19-22.
鈥淚t was just everything going through your head. All your training and all the people who鈥檝e helped you, to finally pay off is a good feeling,鈥� Eichorst said of his reaction upon finding out he had been selected.
鈥淚t means the world to me. You put your whole life into it for just months and when you get rewarded it feels just absolutely amazing.鈥�
Eichorst鈥檚 selection almost did not happen, however, as the Humboldt native originally elected not to attend selection camp, but, after his efforts at club volleyball provincials, he was sent a letter by the U16 head coach asking him to attend final selection camp in Warman.
Eichorst made the trip, where he went through eight hours of tryouts before being informed he had made the squad.
Although never a given, Eichorst admitted that being invited to the camp gave him a little extra boost of confidence heading in.
鈥淚t just gave me that extra push, but I also had to make sure you can鈥檛 take for granted what they offer you, so it made me push even harder because there was only 12 spots open and I really wanted one of those spots.鈥�
Eichorst joins Team Saskatchewan having enjoyed a stellar volleyball campaign, which included a club volleyball provincial appearance, and a high school provincial title.
Eichorst鈥檚 run to the provincial title in mid-November with the Humboldt Collegiate senior Mohawks was impressive as the grade nine student quickly became a key contributor on that squad.
鈥淲hen he came to try-outs in early September it was quite clear he had well above average athletic ability and physical attributes鈥� I kind of looked at him as someone who had great potential, even not playing very much competitive volleyball up to that point, that he would do quite well at the senior level,鈥� noted Mohawks head coach Dave Millette.
As the season wore on Eichorst needed to learn and grow within Millette鈥檚 system, but dedication and intelligence helped the grade nine quickly adapt, said Millette.
鈥淗e was always working at his game and I believe he still is. He鈥檚 that constant student of the game so whether it be his footwork or approach at the net or blocks or a whole host of other things鈥� he developed quite well and he was his own best critic鈥� he ended up as a very strong and valuable part of our team.鈥�
That three-month volleyball run proved vital for the 15-year-old, who admitted to not only learning a lot but said he really enjoyed the chemistry the team shared.
鈥淚t was a little intimidating coming in playing with the grade 11s and 12s but once I started to show I was up to their standards it kind of helped build my confidence and it just helped push me more.鈥�
The other players also seemed to take Eichorst a little bit under their wing, said Millette, noting he felt they also saw Eichorst鈥檚 potential and tried to help harness it.
鈥�(They) really did their best to make him comfortable to allow him to go out there and to learn the game, to make the mistakes he needed to make and then to eventually grow with the team. He meshed well with the other players and they were I know for sure a big part in his development this year,鈥� he said.
With Eichorst set to join Saskatchewan in British Columbia, the Humboldt native says he thinks the tournament will be a good chance for him to see other volleyball players from other provinces.
鈥淪eeing the other provinces and the level they鈥檙e at and other high level athletes there. Probably scouts will be there so getting my name out there in the volleyball world will help keeping me pursuing volleyball in my later years.鈥�
Millette says is he excited to see Eichorst play for Saskatchewan this summer.
鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to watch a young man who鈥檚 such a role model in our school and our community go on to some pretty big things this summer and us at HCI we wish him nothing but the best. He has great respect from his teammates and his former teammates.鈥�
While the tournament is about volleyball, it will also be a chance for the 15-year-old to site see in British Columbia, a province he says he has only ever driven through on his way to Seattle.
While Eichorst says he is just looking forward to having the opportunity to go, he did say one of the sites he was looking forward to seeing with the Richmond Olympic Oval.
鈥淭he athletes that have gone through there is pretty outstanding.鈥�
Looking into the future, Eichorst says he wants to use the experience gained this summer to help at school, with his eyes set on winning another provincial title.
鈥淭hen after that just keep it going and maybe becoming a student-athlete.鈥�
Whether Eichorst gets to that stage is very much up in the air, with the 15-year-old still three years away from grade 12 graduation, and while Millette does not want to put undo pressure on Eichorst by predicting where he may end up, he says he knows Eichorst will be satisfied with wherever he ends up because he will know he did his best.
鈥淒eep down he will always know that he鈥檚 given his best effort on and off the court in his training and it doesn鈥檛 matter what level you end up. When you accomplish those types of goals, the daily goals, you鈥檙e going to have a satisfaction.鈥�
