King's U Student Finishes Volleyball with Most Career Digs

As Cameron Gelderman looks forward to graduation, he will be leaving King's University of Edmonton with a degree in business—and also the Alberta Colleges Association Conference (ACAC) record for Most Career Digs during his time playing volleyball for the King's Eagles.

Gelderman broke the previous record of 1,012 career digs on November 19, 2016, during a game against Concordia Thunder. It was his 10th dig of the game, making him the new ACAC leader. During the rest of the season he went on to achieve a total of 1,125 digs in his volleyball career, despite missing six games because of an injury.

That injury also brought a new perspective to his walk with God.  "I realized how we are not in control and how my abilities are a gift from God. It was humbling to understand this and work out how to honor God as an athlete."

For Gelderman, a member of Neerlandia Christian Reformed Church in Neerlandia, Alta., volleyball was a part of his life from an early age. His older brothers played volleyball, and Gelderman played on school and club teams from Grade 7 onward. Named team MVP in his 3rd season, Gelderman also received All Conference awards in his 3rd and 4th seasons as the best libero in the North Division. During his 3rd season, he also earned the award for most digs in a single season. 

Gelderman was quick to point out that these records were only possible because of the efforts of the whole team. It was his team that set up the opportunities for digs and motivated him to achieve this record. "I was really fortunate to play with really great coaching and teammates."

Phil Dixon, head coach at King's, who coached Gelderman for the past three years, commented that these are a great group of guys:  "Some days, I think I learn more from them than they do from me."

While it hasn't fully sunk in that the time and energy he dedicated to volleyball is something of the past, Gelderman hopes to continue to use this gift in some aspect of the game.