Volleyball is a family affair
for Canton's den Boers

  Words of advice: If your family reunion happens to be in the same park as the den Boers' reunion, do not challenge them to a game of pick-up volleyball.

  Horseshoes, maybe; but not volleyball.

  You see, the den Boer sisters -- senior Tori, sophomore Erica and sixth-grader Gabrielle --  can dig like the Wright brothers could fly.

  And their dad, Harrie, is far from your typical volleyball dad.

  A former walk-on player at San Diego State, he still brings some advanced skills to area courts.

  "Our dad is our volleyball hero," Tori den Boer said. "He's not just good at one thing; he's good at everything. He's been a great teacher for us."

  If not for a science class mishap Harrie experienced in 1986, his daughters may be excelling in -- who knows? -- basketball or soccer these days.

  "I moved with my family from South Africa to California when I was 16," Harrie recalled. "My brother and I had to drop a science class because we had memorized the Periodic Table in our native language, not in English. The only class open was volleyball. We tried it and loved it right away."

  Father den Boer passed his passion for the sport on first to oldest daughter, Tori, who started playing the sport in the sixth grade at Canton Charter Academy.

  Middle daughter, Erica, soon followed suit, as did Gabrielle, who currently excels for the Charter Academy's middle-school squad.

  "Gabrielle started so young, she's going to be the best one of us three," Tori said, smiling at her young sister.

  The den Boers' love for the sport isn't confined to the Phase III gymnasium.

  Volleyball is a popular topic of conversation at the den Boer home and the family has its own training tool in the backyard.

  "We have a wall by our deck that we practice hitting against all the time," Erica said. "We'll even go out there in the winter sometimes and break the ice off.

  "Plus, having sisters that play, we can work with each other any time we want."

  Tori and Erica have played key roles in the Chiefs' solid season thus far. Tori is one of the team's best middle blockers while Erica is an all-around force.

  "They're absolutely great to have on the team," said Canton coach Mary Kryska. "Erica has started since her freshman year and now she's playing all around, and Tori is a great asset with her blocking and hitting.

  "Having a sister on the team helps both of them.  They motivate each other to play better. There's a not a competition between the two. They're both just out to better Canton volleyball. They're both very coachable. And Gabrielle is one of the top players at her age group, so we can't wait to get her up here."

  Tori and Erica often share helpful hints.

  "Mostly it's mental advice we'll give to each other," said Erica. "Like, 'Keep your head up,' when things aren't going well, stuff like that."

  "It helps that we're sisters because we know how to approach each other."

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.

Erica den Boer passes the ball as her dad, Harrie, looks on from the bench. (Ed Wright (photo)