Byam is ready to make a splash with Alterna Stade Poitevin

Alterna Stade Poitevin
Plessis-Robinson

Although the thermostat didn't go above nine degrees, that didn't prompt him to come with shoes on Thursday afternoon at Lawson-Body. Christopher Byam, as is very often the case, opted for sock slides. A style that almost makes you regret that his mullet cut did not survive his flight over the Atlantic Ocean this summer, unlike his thin mustache.

Long neck or not, the sharp Canadian, in any case, preceded his new teammate and direct competitor, Bozidar Vucicevic, by a few minutes. Without only a handful of seconds separating the two men. Six centimeters officially (1.99 m against 2.05 m) and surely not far twenty kilos more also tip the scales in favor of the Serb, qualified for this 12^e MSL day.

“He’s high, high, high”

With such a physique, and the arm that goes with it, the former player of Al-Ahli, in Saudi Arabia, boxes in the heavyweight category like his predecessor Dusan Nikolic, when the native of Bow Island, in the province of Alberta, has other weapons, starting with trigger, agility and speed. Without forgetting the energy and good humor that he brings to the Poitevin group on a daily basis. “I’m a pretty positive person”confirms the 23-year-old player. Despite his short appearances on the pitch since the start of the season, in the shadow of a more than solid Nikolic at the end of the net.

Dan Lewis has only called on his compatriot five times since the 1^re daytime. With more playing time in Grenon when he entered the third set, before playing the entire next set against Tours for a total of seven points (6 winning attacks at 46% efficiency, 1 winning counter ). But that doesn't stop the Canadian technician from believing in his protégé. “It is good for the collectivehe assures. He still needs to work, particularly in the block or in attack, a sector to regulate so that he can diversify his angles. But otherwise, it's high, high, high. He still jumps too vertically. He needs to look a little deeper and by correcting this he will gain strength. »

“I know I have to improve in all areas of the gamecontinues the Canadian international, who won the Pan American Cup last summer. I knew my role when I arrived. There is no frustration. I am here to help the team, whether in matches or in training, by giving the best of myself and bringing my energy. » The one he missed a little during the Coupe de France match, in Cambrai (2-3), on November 26 when he was ill.

Reason why Dan Lewis had established Thomas Pujol at the point, before the Canadian succeeded him from the third set, with more success in blocking (4) than in attack (3 winning attacks at 30% efficiency). This virus is now behind him and the compatriot of Brett Walsh and Jackson Howe is ready to play this Saturday against Plessis-Robinson.

“I feel surrounded and supported”

This is rather good because Bozidar Vucicevic, even if he could have playing time against the red lantern, still lacks rhythm. Unlike Chris Byam who was able to find his own since his arrival in Vienna, for his first professional experience, abroad, upon leaving the University of Mount Royal, where he spent his last four years following in parallel a physical trainer diploma. “I arrived in a very welcoming environmentappreciates the former Cougar. I feel surrounded and supported. It's been a very positive transition. It's weird because I almost feel like I'm less busy here than in Canada. At university, I started classes at 8:30 a.m. and started training at 3:30 p.m. They were full days. It's different being a professional. When I go home, I can be relaxed. Without having to do any homework. All I have to think about is volleyball. » To better reveal yourself and explode.