By: Ernest Tuazon
A small-town kid with big dreams – that is how outside hitter Erik Loeppky would describe himself after looking back on his journey with the Canadian national volleyball team.
He and his team currently hold the 4th seed in the 2024 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League with a 7-4 record.
Loeppky hails from Manitoba, the fifth-largest Canadian province with a population of only 1.2 million.
After beginning his career with the Trinity Western Spartans, the 25-year-old outside hitter received his first national team call-up in 2018 and has been living his dream ever since.
“I think being here is a dream, something I dreamed about a lot when I was a kid, and I never thought in a million years that I’d make it this far,” Loeppky said after Canada’s 26-24, 25-19, 26-24 sweep of Brazil in Week 3 of the VNL on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“I’m super grateful. Being here, just singing the national anthem, it just brings me back to when I was a kid and to my journey with volleyball.”
Loeppky also tipped his hat not only to his journey but to his teammates, who have been instrumental in Canada’s VNL success three weeks into the tournament.
“I’m very happy about it, I’m pumped about it. I think so many guys are improving, and I think we’re gaining a lot of confidence playing with each other,” he said.
The outside hitter from Manitoba led the North American side in its third straight VNL win with 21 points built on 16 attacks, three aces, and two blocks.
Loeppky and Canada look to complete a sweep of the VNL Manila leg as they face the cellar-dwelling Netherlands at 3:00 PM today at the same Pasay venue.
