Chris Gilbert

It may sound cliché to say that Chris Gilbert was destined to play volleyball, but the old saying rings surprisingly true for this fifth-year Huskie setter.

“When my mom was pregnant with me, she was still playing volleyball in the co-ed leagues,” Gilbert said with a smile. “I was born into a volleyball family.”

Gilbert may have picked up a few tips from his mom before he could even speak, but he is also quick to acknowledge the rest of his family for leading him into the sport.

“My dad was my coach growing up. He taught me most of the things I know.”

With a heritage steeped in the game, it’s easy to see where Gilbert’s passion for volleyball comes from.

“It’s the ultimate team sport,” Gilbert said. “You need six guys on the court who are all committed. Since you can’t contact the ball twice, you have to work as a team.”

Born in Saskatoon, Gilbert moved to Lethbridge when he was a toddler. He spent his formative years playing for his high school team, but it wasn’t long before he found his way back home to play volleyball for the University of Saskatchewan.

“After a couple years of college, head coach Brian Gavlas recruited me to play here,” Gilbert said. “It was volleyball that brought me back to Saskatoon.”

Currently in his last year of Canadian university sport eligibility, Gilbert is already making big plans for his career post-graduation.

“I’m hoping to go play professionally over in Europe,” he said. “Norway, France, Germany, Holland. Overseas is where some of the best players in the world go and play top-tier volleyball.”

Even with his sights set on the horizon, Gilbert still takes the time to help the local volleyball community flourish. Gilbert coaches with the Junior Huskies volleyball club and thinks the experience has had a positive influence on his own performance.

“You notice more things on the court when you’re a coach,” Gilbert said of his time with the young up-and-comers. “You see all your players and know what their skill set is. You get a bigger picture of the game.”

Gilbert is happy to shepherd these pups as they grow into dogs. “I’m trying to give back for everything the U of S has given me.”

From the sounds of it, this campus has given Gilbert more than he could have asked for — particularly in his teammates.

“It’s been awesome. I came in here not knowing anybody and over the past years they’ve become my best friends. These are relationships that are going to last for the rest of my life.”

“I’ve had nothing but a positive experience with the team.”

Before games, Gilbert uses music to get himself amped up. “I’m a pretty big techno guy…. I get the heavy beats going.”

Although many athletes find common ground in their use of music to get psyched up, Gilbert purposefully avoids the more superstitious beliefs that others can get caught up in.

“I know some people who have to tie their left shoe first, then their right, or they’ve got a pair of lucky underwear. It’s just a false sense of luck.”

Whether it’s his birthright or the result of a lifetime’s worth of hard work, this Huskie has set himself up with a bright future in volleyball. With the skill to back it up, there’s little doubt he’ll land an ace.

Those looking to catch Gilbert with the rest of the team can mark Jan. 25 and 26 on their calendars, when the men’s volleyball team will face off against the Brandon Bobcats at the PAC.

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Photo: Raisa Pezderic/The Sheaf