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The Chronicle
February 18, 2014
Sports
‘Setting’ up a comeback with the Lords Luke Callebert The Chronicle
The best-laid plans can - - and usually do - - go awry. As was the case for Durham Lords’ women’s volleyball player, Alysha Johnson. See, Johnson wasn’t always supposed to attend Durham College; in fact, Durham wasn’t even on the radar for her. After five years of playing volleyball for her Durham Attack club team, which did not lose a game over that span, scouts began to take notice. A full scholarship to Temple University in the U.S. was waiting for her. The star setter was seemingly on a path to volleyball glory. Everything seemed to be in order for Johnson, school was paid for and she’d get to play the sport she loved at one of the highest levels. Smash. A car accident near the end of grade 12 derailed all of her plans. Johnson suffered a major concussion. For three weeks she struggled to remember anything. For six months she had a constant ringing in her ears. The injury made basic living a struggle and made volleyball impossible. No more scholarships, no more scouts and no more American universities. The biggest thing to her, though: no more volleyball. She ended up attending Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo. She could not play volleyball due to her injuries. Johnson did not play volleyball for five years after the accident. It was a friend on the team, Allison Doris, who brought her back to the sport. Doris told head coach Shane Christopher about Johnson and what level she had achieved in the sport. Christopher went to work trying to recruit her to attend Durham and get back into the sport of volleyball. “I was in the gym hallway and [Shane] said ‘Ms. Johnson,’” said Johnson, smiling. “I didn’t know who he was.”
Luke Callebert
ROAD TO RECOVERY: Alysha Johnson’s volleyball career was derailed by a concussion. Johnson said Christopher introduced himself as the coach and asked her if she was going to play next season. He also offered help with any questions or problems she might have if she decided to attend Durham. “Of course, that night I looked up courses of interest,” said Johnson. “I think I emailed him that first night saying I was going to play.” There’s been an instant connection between Johnson and coach Christopher. During time outs, when Johnson might be getting a little “frazzled” mid-game as she describes it, the coach and Johnson can be seen going in a separate direction from the team.
“He knows what my setting capabilities are,” said Johnson. “It’s a strategy, technique really. He’s asking me why I just made that, going over what I can do better, where my blockers are.” Johnson is still finding her feet after almost five years away from the game she loves. “The game is 100 per cent mental,” said Johnson. “It’s taken some time to come together, and for the team to come together.” Now Johnson is finding chemistry with fellow Durham rookie sensation, Jessica Broad. “She’s a trustworthy player,” said Johnson. “Our sets and hits just click, there’s an instant connection on the court. It’s a good feeling for a setter when you watch the ball get smashed into the court.” Johnson is also getting her timing back, realizing where her blockers are. If they’re not near her, she enjoys using a tuck-style shot she developed back with the Durham Attack. Instead of setting the ball for a teammate, Johnson pushes it, one-handed, over the net herself to a spot where no one is on the other team, usually for a point. “It’s a shot I love to use,” said Johnson, smiling with pride. “I started learning it years ago when I started setting.” Johnson’s game is coming along just in time for the OCAA playoffs, which Durham College hosts. “The playoffs are huge for us, because we’re hosting them,” said Johnson. ”Coach says they weren’t prepared enough last year for the playoffs. This year the goal is provincials.” Off the court, Johnson describes herself as “a goofball and probably the weirdest girl you’ll ever meet.” She’s a Big Bang Theory and Bradley Cooper fan and loves to knit. Especially after games. The one thing, though, to never doubt about Alysha Johnson: “My passion for volleyball is unlimited.”