Keith Daae of southeast Saskatchewan recently represented Team Saskatchewan at the prestigious Canada Cup, a national tournament that brings together some of the top volleyball talent from across the country. Daae was part of the U17 Green Selects team, which earned bronze at the tournament and marked a proud moment in his volleyball journey.
Daae earned his spot on the team after attending the Sask. Selects camp, which invites only 25 to 30 players each year. He didn’t make the final roster in 2023, but this year, he made the cut and took full advantage of the opportunity.
“I was pretty surprised,” said Daae. “I was actually out in the field when my dad sent me the email. I wasn’t expecting it.”
Competing at the national level was a memorable experience for the young athlete.
“It was pretty incredible. It’s an honour to represent Saskatchewan on a national level,” he said.
One of the highlights of the tournament for Daae was a high-stakes match against Manitoba, a provincial rival.
“We took them to five sets and ended up winning, which sent us to the semifinals. It was a pretty exciting game to be part of.”
The experience helped him grow, both physically and mentally.
“I learned to pay more attention to the other team’s tendencies. Really study what they’re doing so I can stop them,” Daae explained. “The two weeks of training leading up to the tournament had me feeling prepared and excited.”
Daae also took part in a five-day volleyball camp at Briarcrest College, where varsity players ran drills and offered advice.
While the level of play wasn’t as intense as the Canada Cup, it provided strong preparation heading into next year’s high school season.
Balancing competitive volleyball with academics can be tough. But as a homeschooled student, Daae has had some flexibility that’s helped make it work.
“When I was playing club volleyball in Regina, I’d get my school done early in the day and leave around 2:00 p.m. to make it to my 5:00 p.m. practice,” he said. “It also gives me more time to work out and focus on training.”
Though not currently with Estevan Extreme Volleyball, Daae says he plans to rejoin the program next year. He previously played with their U18 team before moving to a high-performance club in Regina.
Volleyball runs in the family. Daae’s father, Darwin, is a former member of Canada’s national men’s volleyball team and has played a key role in his development.
“He coached me a couple of years ago for Estevan Extreme and has helped me a lot. I can ask him questions about anything. He’s been a big part of my journey,” said Daae. “It’s kind of in my blood.”
Looking ahead, Daae hopes to continue his volleyball career at the post-secondary level.
“I don’t have a specific school in mind yet. Just anywhere that wants me to play for them,” he said. “But the Canada Cup definitely introduced me to a few new schools I hadn’t considered before.”
With national competition experience under his belt and a strong foundation at home, Keith Daae is excited for what the future holds.
“It’s been a fun ride so far, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it takes me in the next couple of years.”