Yukon volleyball player Arcel Siosan is a long way from home as he is now attending Dalhousie University in Halifax. A stand-out volleyball player for the territory, playing libero for Vanier and most recently for Team Yukon at the Western Canada Summer Games, Siosan walked on to the Dalhousie varsity team and became a Tiger.

To walk on to a team means Siosan showed up to open tryouts. He was not previously scouted nor on the coaches’ radar.

The tryouts, coupled with a big move to university, Siosan said, was a nerve-wracking experience.

"It was tough," said Siosan. "I was so nervous and so overwhelmed. It is a big university with so many students, it is like a whole other city."

The open tryouts began two weeks ago. Then players tried out, with five trying out for his position, libero. In volleyball, the libero is the defensive specialist, easily identified because he wears a different-coloured jersey.

As well, the libero is the only player who is not limited by the regular rules of substitution. They typically replace the middle blocker when they rotate to the backcourt.

Siosan was still standing after the first round of cuts, even though he believes he wasn't performing to his usual standard.

"To be honest, I had a rough week of tryouts," he said. "Coach was looking for strong reception; that's not my strongest link. To be a libero, you need to be good at both serve, receive and defence."

On the final day of the tryouts, Siosan got out of his own way and just performed.

"I came in kind of down and not expecting anything," he said. "What I did was get out of my own head."

Throughout the tryouts, the senior members of the team were there. The coach, Siosan said, was looking for new players who could play at their level.

When the Star reached Siosan, it was a day removed from the announcement, and he was still in disbelief.

"I still can't believe it's happening. I didn't perform well, I was so nervous. I really thought it wasn't going to be me."

With the selection process behind him, Siosan is turning his focus to practices and improving his game.

"I know I'm not going to get a lot of touches on the court in games," said Siosan. "Every practice I need to show the coach he made the right decision, prove him right."

The Tigers will be carrying three liberos for the upcoming season; one senior and two freshmen.

"I'm really looking forward to working with the liberos, I'm going to learn lots," said Siosan.

"I've made a good connection with my teammates and I'll be looking up to the seniors."

Siosan reflected about his time playing volleyball in the territory and his move to Halifax.

"Whitehorse isn't a big city and there weren't always tournaments to play in," he said. "It was hard for me coming from the Yukon; everything is so new. Dalhousie has just as many people as Whitehorse."

Dalhousie has around 19,000 students during a given year.

Although there were some shortcomings to being a volleyball player in the territory, Siosan said he is going to represent the Yukon proudly.

"I really give a lot of credit to the Yukon," he said. "I'm doing this for the community back home."

He also noted his time at the Western Canada Summer Games in August in Swift Current, Sask. helped him during the tryout process.

Team Yukon came in fourth at the Games.

Siosan is studying general science with the hopes of transferring into kinesiology. He grew to love Halifax when he visited his brother, who was attending St. Mary's University.

"I liked the environment," said Siosan. "Halifax is a great city. I'm glad I chose this school."

The Dalhousie Tigers will get their first game action in October when they travel to Winnipeg for some exhibition matches.

There has been a lot of recent change for Siosan recently – new city, new school and a new team to play for, but he’s taking it in stride.

"I'm just going to enjoy the ride."