Local volleyball star credits teamwork for success at Nationals

Lincoln Fehr was part of a volleyball club that went into Nationals in Edmonton as underdogs but thanks to teamwork and dedication, came out with a silver medal.

It's been a rapid rise for Fehr who says he started playing volleyball not long ago.

"I started in my grade nine year, so this is my third year playing volleyball," the 16-year-old explains. "I had a natural feel but I worked with amazing coaches who really helped guide where I was going in the sport. Having great teammates also made a big difference."

Fehr says he cares a lot more about team success and that he's cherished the time he's spent around people with a similar mindset.

"It's all about the team," Fehr says proudly. "There's a brotherhood mindset, becoming close as a group and forming that family kind of bond."

Lincoln Fehr (Photo credit: Josh Kjarsgaard)

Playing for Winman, Fehr says there were some lofty expectations right from the start.

"We started off as one of the favorite teams in Manitoba. We played up in a lot of tournaments, playing older teams trying to learn the complex styles of games so it would help us down the road."

Provincials provided an opportunity to learn a tough but very valuable lesson for the group.

"Going into Provincials, we felt pretty comfortable. We played well in the first set of our semis but then we started to fall apart. We had a 'oh, we have this' mindset and we just let it slip. The other team played amazing, and we were not expecting that."

Despite the hard loss, Fehr says the group bounced back right away and turned the negative into a positive. "A lot of guys didn't have that losing feeling, didn't know what it was like. It was a good lesson." 

"Going into Nationals, we were the 13th-ranked team," recalls Fehr. "Going into our first match, it was up against the team that we lost to in the semis of last year's Nationals. It was a rivalry game and we wanted to win that bad. It was close but we came out on top in the first set, lost the second but we fought as a team in the third and came out on top."

More success followed the club after picking up that much-needed victory.

"After that first match, we went undefeated our next 7 games. All those games were a dog fight. You never knew who was going to come out on top. In playoffs, we played a very tough, taller, and more physical team than us but our technical skills in our game helped elevate us and the connections we formed as a team helped us trust in one another, especially on defense and it made the difference."

A big reason for the success in Fehr's mind is the way the group pulled together and did whatever the team needed.

"We all played the for the name on the front and for the team. We pushed each other forward. There was never really selfishness in the game. Everyone wanted to get the big kill or the big block, but it was all for the team."

The finals didn't go the way Fehr and his team had hoped but he remains focused on the positives.

"It was a great experience. Being with this team, the coaches, it was a great experience. All the learning we were able to do, it was just great."

Heading into next year, things my be a little different but Fehr hopes to keep the core of the group together.

"We're losing our head coach, but hopefully we keep our two assistants. The group wants to come back and try again next year."

Before that time though, there's more volleyball in Lincoln Fehr's future.

"We have school tryouts here soon, it's going to be interesting to see how this team forms. We have a few new guys coming up so we'll see how we work as a team. Then in a few weeks, we've got our summer team."

Being a veteran at 16-years-old is a little weird for Fehr but he's going to embrace the role of leader.

"I want to try and lead as best I can. Maybe some guys won't be as experienced so I can try and teach them a little more. Having played in some big games, it's pretty interesting that I can be in that position to help others."

Fehr's quick to say he couldn't do it alone.

"Having my family there means the world to me," he says with a big smile. "Having my mom and brother cheering me on.. having that support means so much. If I make a mistake, knowing they're there to support me helps get me through."

One day in the not-too-distant future, Fehr hopes to take his love of the game to the next level both on the court and in the classroom.

"100 per cent I'd like to play college or university. With the coaches and the experience coming out of Steinbach, volleyball is a big sport. Going into University level, it's very possible I could go."

Always about the team, Fehr is quick to say his success is secondary to team.

"We want to win as a group. That's my goal with any team I'm on, let's do it together, let's find a way."