Gold for local in volleyball tournament

At first, Kaliyah Wahianon:ron Nelson felt nervous knowing the Lotus Volleyball tournament would be her first competitive volleyball game since November.

Since last year, she has practiced as part of the Lotus Volleyball D2 U17 all-girls team, but a high school trip to New Zealand and Australia made her miss out on some tournaments.

All those jittery feelings dissipated once she began to play.

“My excitement covered up my nervousness more because I was so happy to be back on the court,” said Kaliyah.

On April 11, her team won gold in the Lotus Basses-Laurentides Volleyball’s fundraising tournament.

Kaliyah plays libero, a defensive position, and helped her team dominate the round-robin 8-0, placing them first in their division. Their team went on to play the team in second place in the finals.

The final game was a tight match, said Kaliyah’s dad, Jeffrey Nelson.

“It was very, very exciting volleyball,” said Jeffrey.

Most volleyball tournaments are open to any division of team, meaning many times lower-level teams compete against higher ones. But in this tournament, all teams were division two, which created a more level playing field, said Nelson.

“It was probably one of the best games that we’ve ever had to watch in volleyball, just because both teams were so evenly matched,” said Jeffrey. “It was like non-stop back-and-forth rallies and beautiful plays by the players.”

Kaliyah’s Lotus Volleyball team ended up with a 25-23 victory. When they won, those on the bench ran onto the court and the girls huddled, jumped, and screamed.

For the win, the players were awarded gold medals

“I put it on my volleyball bag,” said Kaliyah.

Many firsts surround this win. This is the first year of existence for the Lotus Volleyball club and therefore, their first fundraising tournament. It is also the first year Kaliyah plays for a volleyball club that is not coached by her dad, Jeffrey.

And while it was an adjustment, Kaliyah still thrived.

“Kaliyah is a natural athlete,” said Denis Generoux, general manager of Lotus Basses-Laurentides Volleyball.

“Coming out of the community to play volleyball was a bit different. It was an adaptation for her. She’s been doing great, and we’re really happy about that.”

And her dad did not completely step back from his role as a coach. Jeffrey has a home gym in the garage that Kaliyah trains in, and on Wednesdays he gives her private lessons at the local gym along with other young athletes.

Kaliyah, who is in grade 11, only started volleyball in grade seven. Previously, she played ringette, lacrosse, and did a short stint in softball.

“I got hooked on volleyball,” said Kaliyah.

“I ended up just quitting all my other sports and focusing on volleyball more.”

Kaliyah has two tournaments left with her Lotus Volleyball team this season.

Next year, she will head off to Vanier College and check out their volleyball squad.

“Hopefully she makes the Vanier College team,” said Jeffrey.

“She’s going to try out for it and see what happens.”

[email protected]

Hadassah Alencar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter