Mike and Preston Yole strengthen brotherly bond through volleyball

Preston and Mike Yole were already connected by blood as brothers before coming to Keyano College, but that connection has found another level as first-time teammates on the Keyano Huskies Men’s Volleyball team.  

“I still remember Mikey coming up to me when we were down in Lloydminster and stating his interest,” Head Coach Keegan Kuhr said of the younger Yole’s process to join the team after his brother Preston joined in 2019-20. “The Yole bros as we call them, they’ve always been a crucial part of our team and great culture guys.  
 
“I’m really happy to have them be part of our team.” 
 
They’ve pair have been key parts of the Huskies featuring on the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) podium in back-to-back seasons. As the program renews their hunt for another ACAC Championship in 2024-25, the Yole brothers are doing it for the last time together with Preston in his final year of eligibility.  

“It has meant everything to me,” Preston said of the time spent with his younger brother. “He’s been a big inspiration to me, and I think I’m an even bigger inspiration to him.  
 
“It’s been amazing for me to get the opportunity to play with him.”  
 
The pair came to the Huskies from Île-à-la-Crosse, Sask., a community roughly five hours north of Saskatoon. Both grew up playing hockey, but when they suffered broken wrists at the same time, they used the opportunity to look into another sport.  
 
“Ever since we’ve been young, we’ve always been good athletes,” Mike said. “Seeing volleyball and how much it impacts people’s lives I just knew right away as soon as we started playing.”  
 
The pair have made an impact with the Huskies and with their home community through the sport.  
 
Preston, the Huskies’ starting middle, is an integral part of the team’s attack and defence. With a wealth of talent on the team at the outside hitter position, Mike has gotten his opportunities to play, making progress up the depth chart each year. 
 
Last spring, the pair returned home on a long weekend to Rossignol High School to teach a volleyball camp for youth in the region.  

“Being able to play with my brother who’s a lot older than me is a big accomplishment for me,” Mike added. “I’m so young and looked up to him my whole life, I’ve always wanted to play with him and be with him the whole time.”  

In the same breath that he shares his admiration for his brother, he also shared how he was once seen as just Preston’s younger brother rather than his own self in the sports he played.  
 
The age gap was just enough that after Preston had gone through one age group, Mike would be right behind him. With the Huskies, he’s been able to shake that feeling and take a step in establishing himself. 

“Coming here and playing with him, it’s just the guys think we’re two different people now,” Mike continued. “I love that.”  
 
Make no mistake though, the two still push each other. Whether they’re yelling at each other at practice or supporting each other during a game, they’ve both grown from the experience of playing with and for one another.
 
“We hold each other really accountable for workouts and recovery and all that stuff that goes into volleyball,” Preston added. “Every day when we make those better strides, it makes each of us a better person.”  
 
From subbing in for each other at conference championships to walking the streets of Tokyo this past summer, the pair have been on an incredible journey together.  
 
Their bond as teammates on the volleyball court does have an expiry date, but their bond as brothers is one that won’t soon be broken.