During Eric Loeppky’s four years playing for the Trinity Western University Spartans, he has maintained impressive personal statistics, even setting some school records. On Friday, those numbers became even more impressive as he set the Canada West Volleyball record for most career aces (unanswered serves) ever.
“I wasn’t honestly thinking about it during the game,” states Loeppky, “and then once I got it I thought ‘wait, I think I just broke a record!’”
The previous aces record was 144 and set by a Brandon University athlete named Paul Sanderson. Loepkky has surpassed that and is still counting.
When his record-setting game had finished, Loeppky says his team was nothing but encouraging.
“The guys were stoked for me and kept pumping my tires for the rest of the weekend,” he recalls, “and whatever number I was at when I’d serve another one they would yell it out. It was pretty cool.”
Loeppky attributes his volleyball successes to his school’s great athletic program and the unwavering support he has experienced from both teammates and coaches.
“The program at Trinity Western is pretty special and I’m really thankful for that,” he shares. “I have worked a lot over my four years and have got the opportunity to do a lot of playing early in my career. That, I think, is one of the only reasons why I am in the position to get the record.”
This is Loeppky’s final season with Trinity and his hope is to eventually play professionally in Italy.
“That’s what I’ve always wanted. It has a lot of great players and teams and it is a really beautiful country as well.”
In the next few months, Loeppky and many of his fellow team members will be offered contracts from countries and teams across the world. As exciting as the future may be, Loeppky says the Spartans will have his undivided attention until his very last game. "I'm trying to keep school my priority," he says, "that's where my head is right now."
Read more: Eric Loeppky Sets Ace Record At TWU
Fri, Apr 19, 5:00 PM
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