CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — When Cole Mackey played his final set of high school volleyball, he says it was one of the best moments of his sporting life, dating back to his first days in the sport in Grade 5.
“It was probably one of the best feelings I’ve had, in our home gym,” Mackey told The Packet in an interview last week.
Winning an NLVA gold medal on the court with friends and teammates he’s played with for many years was the perfect way to cap off his time with the Clarenville Cougars varsity team.
However, the Right Side player admits, it was a little bittersweet.
“It was the best thing but it was also upsetting, too, knowing that was it for sports with them … We just got so close with each other, it was just amazing.”
But now, Mackey is ensuring he’ll continue playing competitive volleyball, after signing on to play for Holland College Hurricanes in Charlottetown beginning in September.
After being scouted by coach Max Arsenault while playing beach volleyball in New Brunswick this past summer, he officially put pen to paper on a contract last month.
While Mackey is looking forward to competing in the Atlantic College Athletic Association with Holland, he’ll also be getting an education. Mackey chose to study Sports and Leisure Management.
“(Once graduated) I could be able to run a Newfoundland volleyball thing or something like that. It’s something I would like to be doing,” said Mackey.
He hasn’t prepared to leave home yet, with the entire summer between now and his trip to P.E.I., however Mackey is accustomed to traveling abroad for volleyball, mainly because he loves it so much.
And maybe, one day, he says he’ll be able to pass on lessons from his experiences on the court to others, like coaches have for him.
“I want to be able to help them grow as a player, too.”
Twitter: @jejparsons
