Serving up talent on the U of S court
- Errol Kayseas | November 10, 2023
When Rosetta Cyr was very young, she played a game with her mom they called, “don’t let the balloon touch the ground” little did she know it would result in a lifelong love of volleyball.
From the George Gordon First Nation, Cyr is in her second year of study at the University of Saskatchewan. She is also a member of the Husky Athletics and plays on the women’s volleyball team.
It’s not the first time the sport she loves has taken Cyr places.
Earlier this year she was in Japan playing volleyball.
“It was amazing, the level is insane,” Cyr said about the experience. “They may be smaller but they’re so technically skilled it’s unreal. It has taught me so much and so grateful I had the opportunity to go”.
Although her love of the sport began at a young age, she didn’t start playing competitively until she was 13 years old.
Like any athlete, she has a routine she likes to follow before she hits the court.
Prior to a game Cyr has a coffee and listens to music to help “get in the zone.”
This was the case when the Huskies started their season with an exhibition game against the University of Manitoba’s Bisons.
“They have a great team, so the games will be intense,” said Cyr.
As expected, both teams battled on court with back-and-forth wins.
Cyr sat out the first game but was able to show off her skills in the second game.
Although she has two more years left to complete her four-year degree, which she is excited about, she has no plans to leave the game she loves behind.
Cyr has her eyes set on a new goal and that’s to make it to the national team.
“Reach for your dreams because the only person who can stop you from achieving your goals is yourself,” she said.
It’s the advice she would pass on to any youth who is unsure of their path in life.
Cyr credits her family for always being there to support her.
It may have all started with a balloon game between her and her mom, but encouragement from her family, especially her late grandfather Mike McNab have made it possible for her to get an education while playing the game she loves.
“He was someone I have always looked up to as he was the biggest role model in our community for sports,” said Cyr. “He cared so much for young athletes and that is something I want to do. I want to step into his footsteps that he paved for us to follow and use them to help our people. Every time I step on the court, I play for him.”
In the off season she plays softball to keep active and fit.
Following the exhibition games against the U of M, the Huskies opened their regular season against the Brandon Bobcats.
The regular season ends in February and a full list of statistics is available on https://huskies.usask.ca/sports/womens-volleyball.