James Gravelle

Lancer’s journey from island roots to national dreams

Chase Bridges-Hunter celebrates a point.Chase Bridges-Hunter (far right) looks to close his varsity volleyball journey with a national championship. (PHOTO BY EDWIN TAM/UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR)

By John-Paul Bonadonna

Surrounded by water.

That’s likely where the similarities of Windsor-Essex and Hawaii — the birthplace Lancers fifth-year veteran men’s volleyballer Chase Bridges-Hunter — end.

“It was definitely a big adjustment moving from Hawaii to Windsor,” Chase reflected.

“Being away from my family and everything I knew was tough, but it also helped me grow as a person.”

Siblings set to shine at U SPORTS nationals

Noah and Darian Koskie on the volleyball court.Noah (left) and Darian Koskie are part of a veteran Lancers squad aiming to wrap up their varsity volleyball careers with a national championship. (PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY WINDSOR LANCERS/UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR)

By John-Paul Bonadonna

The nation’s best university volleyball programs will descend on Windsor for the 2026 U SPORTS BioSteel Men's Volleyball Championship in March, bringing elite competition, Olympic-level talent and championship drama to campus.

And quite possibly, two teams made up of the Koskie family.

Nursing career paused one year for a shot at history

Anthony Ivanovski celebrates a point on volleyball court.Anthony Ivanovski (7) is the middle blocker for the Windsor Lancers men’s volleyball team. (PHOTO BY WINDSOR LANCERS/UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR)

By John-Paul Bonadonna

Anthony Ivanovski’s next steps were in place.

The middle blocker for the men’s volleyball Windsor Lancers would see his varsity volleyball career end after his fourth year and the nursing student would smoothly transition into the workforce.

Then everything changed.

From São Paulo to the spotlight of a home court national championship

Gustavo Siqueira rallys team after a point.Gustavo Siqueira made the journey from Brazil to Canada, specifically to the University of Windsor, in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic. (PHOTO COURTESY OF EDWIN TAM/UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR)

By John-Paul Bonadonna 

For Gustavo Siqueira, the 2026 U SPORTS BioSteel Men's Volleyball Championship will offer the chance for a perfect ending to an extraordinary journey — one that began in São Paulo, crossed oceans and could finish on the hardwood in Windsor.