Ryan, a Charlottetown Rural Raider, and Butler, a Colonel Gray Colonel, played key roles for their school’s volleyball and basketball teams before joining the Holland College Hurricanes volleyball squad.
“To be honest, I kind of hated his guts while we went through high school, but we’ve grown into good friends,” Butler admitted before a recent practice. “We respect each other a lot as players and competitors. That’s always been there through high school, and (we) just battled it out. Now we get to do it together.”
Ryan, a Charlottetown Rural Raider, and Butler, a Colonel Gray Colonel, played key roles for their school’s volleyball and basketball teams before joining the Holland College Hurricanes volleyball squad.
“To be honest, I kind of hated his guts while we went through high school, but we’ve grown into good friends,” Butler admitted before a recent practice. “We respect each other a lot as players and competitors. That’s always been there through high school, and (we) just battled it out. Now we get to do it together.”
The Colonels-Raiders rivalry is one of the best in the province, and players take great pride in beating the other Charlottetown-based school.
“Me and Brett were on the opposite side of the city at one point and we were great rivals, but ever since coming here . . . we've put that aside and now we’re great friends and even better teammates,” Ryan said.
The two are very similar athletes.
“We just hate losing more than winning, that’s what drives us, I guess,” Butler said. “He’s one of the fiercest competitors I know. After every game he can find something we did wrong that we can improve on. He’s a good guy in the locker room to keep us grounded and keep looking forward.”
The two Charlottetown residents helped the Hurricanes win their first Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association championship and today they will open play at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association tournament in London, Ont.
“Every time I put that uniform on, it’s a huge honour,” said Ryan, noting it will likely be the last competitive volleyball matches of his career. “It’s going to be bittersweet. I can’t wait to get out there and lace it up for one last time.”
RELATED: Hurricanes ready to compete at nationals as ACAA champs.
Ryan’s father, Joe, has coached the Hurricanes for six years. He said it is great to have four of its starters from the Island. Montague’s Tynan Murphy and Cymbria’s Gordon Veitch are the other two.
“It’s a great feather in the cap for volleyball in P.E.I.,” he said.
Need to know
A look at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association men’s volleyball championship. All times are Atlantic.
Local connection – The Holland College Hurricanes are competing in the event for the first time.
When – Thursday to Saturday.
Where – London, Ont.
Schedule (seeds in parenthesis)
Thursday’s quarter-finals
2 p.m. – Limoilou Titans (1) vs. Holland College Hurricanes (8).
4 p.m. – Camosun Chargers (4) vs. Medicine Hat Rattlers (5).
7 p.m. – Mohawk Mountaineers (3) vs. VIU Mariners (6).
9 p.m. – Red Deer Kings (2) vs. Fanshawe Falcons (7).
