WILKIE — Isaiah Mamer continues to add to his success story in 2022, winning a gold medal at Canada Games in Niagara. Ont. Aug. 21 with Team Saskatchewan U19 men’s volleyball.
Early in the school year, Mamer was signed by the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Volleyball team. He also helped McLurg Broncs volleyball capture gold at Sask. High School Athletics Association Provincial volleyball. In March of 2022, Isaiah was named Wilkie’s Junior Citizen of the Year. He capped off his high school year with multiple medals won at SHSAA track and field.
Isaiah then spent the summer training and competing in preparation for Canada Games as a member of Team Saskatchewan.
Team Sask. played through round robin that started Aug 16, earning a playoff berth to face off against Ontario in the semifinals Aug. 20. After securing a spot in the gold medal game, set for Aug. 21, the final day of Canada Games competition, Team Sask. thrilled the crowd with dominant court play defeating Team Alberta to capture gold.
Isaiah’s family was in attendance and dad, Greg Mamer, says, “It was an unbelievable experience. A total team win for all players, coaches and, of course, their fans.”
Following the achievement, Isaiah said, "The whole experience was surreal. Before going into the gold, I thought the crowd and fans were unmatched. That final game, I have never been in such a deafening gym. We had to actively look at people's mouths to be able to understand what they were saying."
He goes on to say that the final point for him was a big blur. "Before watching videos of the final kill, all that I could remember was that I hit the seam with some pace."
Isaiah adds, "Winning really puts into perspective of what dedication and hard work can do. In 2019, Team Sask. finished third in Western Canada Summer Games. We grinded for three years trying to become the best volleyball players we could be collectively and individually, and that is what we did. Everything still hasn't sunk in yet."
Team Saskatchewan hasn't been on top of the men's volleyball podium since 1985.
Isaiah has a quick turnaround as he will be part of the instruction team at volleyball camp at McLurg Aug. 25 and 26, before heading off to his first year as a university student and a member of the Huskies men’s volleyball team. His advice to participants, “Never let anything get in your way. Within my four-year preparation for this golden moment, there were some big ups and downs experienced.
“Our head coach, Joel Dyck, always told us to weather the storms. Well, I can now say, with great excitement and passion, that this team has weathered enough storms to call themselves the 2022 Canada Summer Games champions,” exclaims Isaiah.
Isaiah was part of the Battlefords Volleyball Club in 2019, Precision Athletics Volleyball Club in 2022, back with BVC in 2021 and the Huskies Club Volleyball program aptly named the Blockbusters in 2022. Mamer was part of the bronze medal winning Team Sask. volleyball squad in 2019 in Swift Current. He will be attending the University of Saskatchewan in the fall of 2022, enrolled in the kinesiology and education program.
Isaiah’s coaches say on the HHVC social media page, “Isaiah is a phenomenal athlete, great teammate and has an in-depth grasp and knowledge of the sport and continues to work endlessly on his serve and offensive tool kit.”
The Huskies Men’s Volleyball Club extended congratulations on their social media to current, past, and soon to be Huskies and their teammates on their Canada Games gold. Five players on Team Sask. volleyball were on the U of S men’s team, three moving on to other programs, three players, including Isaiah, have committed to the U of S Huskies volleyball making five of 12 of this gold medal team continuing their volleyball career with the Huskies men’s volleyball team.
The Team. Sask. men’s volleyball added to the three gold medals earned by the province at Canada Games, followed by 13 silver medals and 16 bronze totalling 32 medals.
