As Discover Humboldt continues its look at a trio of volleyball players launching from high school into varsity, national, and international play, we turn our attention to Skyler Varga from Muenster. For Varga, his participation in the sport is a family legacy given his parents long term involvement in playing and coaching. Varga’s siblings have all gone to compete at high levels both nationally and internationally. Now the way is paved for Skyler Varga to continue that strong tradition.

Varga will be off this fall to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies program with an eye on pursuing a degree in kinesiology. He casts his mind back to the early days of watching his parents, Darren and Jewel Varga, compete in the co-ed league they established. He also has fond memories of playing with his high school squad, who took a bronze medal in their provincial run, and the club volleyball squad.

“Our family has always played out of Muenster with our home club teams that my parents have been coaching, but for this last year, being that there was no season, I had to go somewhere else,” explains Varga. “I had to start with a team out of Saskatoon.”

The High and Hitable Volleyball Club (HHVC) became Varga’s new home for training under the mandated COVID-19 guidelines. With the pandemic shutdown of sports, Varga turned to the virtual world to continue connecting with supporters in the sport. His training regimen changed out of necessity but he remained invested in the game. 

His club workouts have consisted of rotating the 12 players into squads of 8 and 4 to be in compliance with then regulations. The hour-long training sessions ensured that everyone received equal floor time.

Once play begins again, Varga is looking forward to connecting with the Canadian National Team which he’s been anxiously waiting to join.

“I was selected for the U19 National Team. We’re going to hopefully compete but at least practice in BC in July. I’m going to do a bit of virtual and online work before that happens but the plan is to hopefully play against Bulgaria, Puerto Rico, and the USA in Anaheim, California.”

If all goes according to plan, Varga would join the team for practice at the beginning of July and head to exhibition international competition in August.

In the fall, it’s off to the U of S to join the Huskies squad with the hope that a return to play will be forthcoming. Varga notes those plans are still unfolding.

“I think they have a plan of four teams around Manitoba and Saskatchewan. I’m unsure about Alberta, but those are the main teams that will be in our small competition group. As the vaccines continue to roll out, I think they’ll be a little more lenient in letting us play.”

Practices with a limited number of incoming and returning players have already begun at the University. As the numbers for return to play open up, Varga is looking forward to the full roster coming together as he sets off on a new pathway in his volleyball career.