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VICTORIA, British Columbia — When Oak Bay High School hosts the BC Schools 2023 Volleyball Provincial Championships at the end of November, all eyes will be on the Oak Bay High Senior Boys team, and in particular, sibling powerhouses, Johnny and Jake Legault.

This past season has been the first time that the brothers have played together on the same team. Johnny is 17 and in Grade 12, while Jake 鈥� at age 15 and in Grade 10 鈥� is one of the youngest on the team and would ordinarily be playing on the Junior Boys team but made it to the Senior team, a testament to his athletic prowess and technical abilities.

Both brothers were introduced to volleyball when they were at middle school, although playing opportunities were limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The year that Johnny earned a coveted spot on Oak Bay High鈥檚 team coincided with Jake playing on Monterey Middle School鈥檚 team. The brothers鈥� partnership in the game began that season, as Johnny signed up as a volunteer assistant coach for the Monterey team. 鈥淚 volunteered because I liked being around volleyball,鈥� Johnny explains, 鈥渁nd I wanted Jake to get better. It was a great experience. It was a good team, and everyone was fun to coach.鈥�

Johnny and Jake鈥檚 mother, Mercedes Calvert, revealed that volleyball has done wonders for the brothers鈥� relationship. The sport has been a catalyst for them putting aside the sibling rivalry that had been a constant feature in the family up until then. Jake discloses, 鈥淲e both have very competitive personalities, but now, we are playing on the same team and working towards the same goal. It鈥檚 nice to have my brother there. We give each other feedback and discuss strategies and ways to improve our game.鈥� Jake also credits his older brother in igniting the interest in volleyball. He related how their Grandmere and Grandpere gifted them a volleyball while at a family summer gathering a few years ago, and how Johnny taught him a few moves which resulted in them playing and spending more time together than they normally would have.

Wesley Wishlow who is the volunteer coach of the Senior Boys Volleyball team at Oak Bay had great things to say about the Legault brothers: 鈥淚t has been an absolute pleasure coaching these two young men. I find both to be so kind, polite and amazing at taking and implementing feedback. Johnny has an incredible energy that the entire team needs and feeds off. He can change the entire direction of a match with a few amazing plays. He鈥檚 so reliable on the court and an integral piece in any success we鈥檝e had on all teams I coach. Despite Jake being only in grade 10, he is the most reliable and steady middle blocker on our team. He will develop into a force in the years to come! Both boys are amazing kids, it鈥檚 been a privilege to be around them the past few years!鈥�

The Legault brothers鈥� athleticism also extends to a range of other sports, from soccer to skiing, cricket, Ultimate frisbee and rugby. When volleyball season is over in the spring, Jake will be trying out for Oak Bay鈥檚 track team where he has already made a name for himself as a sprinter. Besides playing for Oak Bay High, Johnny and Jake are also regular players in the Victoria Volleyball Association league, on teams managed by Coach Wishlow.

Both boys share that although they are involved in various other sports and activities, volleyball takes priority. Johnny tells us, 鈥淲hen I play volleyball, I can forget everything else and focus solely on the game. My personal goal is to play on a university team.鈥�

Their passion for the game is palpable, and we wish Johnny and Jake and the Oak Bay Volleyball teams all the very best in the upcoming Provincials!

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