From The Top: Alexandre Nsakanda
December 20, 2019 | Men's Volleyball, Features
As a perennial national contender, the eighth-ranked UC Irvine men's volleyball team will be looking to come out strong in 2019-20 when they take on Princeton in their season opener on Sunday, Dec. 29. One key contributor for the 'Eaters this year will be sophomore Alexandre Nsakanda (Ottawa, Canada), who was named to the All-Big West Freshman Team last year. The 6-foot-4 opposite gained invaluable experience in 2019 and hopes to build on his early success.
Before the season gets underway, Alexandre took some time to talk about his experience playing with the Canadian National Team, family support and his expectations for the 2020 campaign.
Alexandre Nsakanda
Men's Volleyball
Year: Redshirt Sophomore
Major: Business Economics
Hometown: Ottawa, Canada
How was your time playing for the Canadian National Team?
It is always an honor representing my country while also playing my favorite sport. Thus far throughout my career, I've had the privilege of being a part of the Canadian Youth National Team (2016) and the Junior National Team (2017-2018). It is certainly a journey filled with gratitude and excitement as all the top players in Canada forge a team and train hard in order to be prepared for when the time comes to play against other talented countries. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time playing for these teams because the experience provided me character and ultimately reinforced my volleyball skills.
What has your dad meant to you in your development as a player and a person?
My dad has always been my biggest supporter throughout my life (alongside my mother). As a volleyball player, he always tells me to cherish every single moment because there is always a beginning and an ending with everything we do in life. He also reminds me to focus on the big picture, meaning to savor and appreciate the good moments in volleyball, while also demonstrating the same spirit when things are going bad because there are always important lessons that can be drawn from those situations if you have the right mindset.
My dad went through a lot in his early life in order to earn the things he has as of today, which inevitably gives him a larger amount of advice he can provide me with. Therefore, as a person he always tells me that there is no secret when striving towards your own goals and success; there is only discipline, hard work and consistency. When those things are taken seriously, life tends to become much more simplified and the path becomes less blurred. Nonetheless, he says to enjoy my life to its fullest because I am only given this once.
How did it feel making it to the Big West Conference All-Freshman Team?
It was truly an honor. It always feels good when you get rewarded with something like that after putting the hard work in throughout the entire volleyball season and beforehand. It was also fulfilling knowing that I was considered amongst the best volleyball freshmen within the Big West Conference.
What do you want to do with your Business Economics major?
Alongside with getting a degree in Business Economics, I am also inspired in obtaining a Master's in Finance as it will amplify my knowledge and open more doors for my future. Therefore, one of the many career jobs that interests me thus far is becoming a Financial Analyst for a company, because it includes many things that I am passionate about: Economic & Financial terms, computing/analyzing mathematical problems in order to make investment decisions, and communicating with others and performing presentations.
How would you describe the dynamic of the team?
All of us are in this process together and moving towards a common goal as a unified front. We are a very close family, and lean on each other when we are in need of help. We enjoy competing against each other in order to make each and every single one of us better. There are five themes that are present within our team, which are the following: Gratitude, Trust, Love, Vulnerability and Paying Attention to Detail. Having said this, we make sure to demonstrate and admire these themes with everything we do, because they are inherently meaningful to us.
Essentially, although winning a National Championship is always our biggest goal throughout each season, our other ultimate goal consists of making sure that a real sense of brotherhood exists among us, and that we are consistently improving every day, whether by a considerable amount or by merely 1%.
What are your expectations for the upcoming season?
I am confident in saying that our team has all the necessary tools to grant us success for this season. We are very disciplined in the things we do - especially in taking care of the little things. We all believe that we can do and achieve great things for this upcoming season if we continue to marry the process.
Having said this, I believe that we are capable of winning the Big West Championship, and at least presenting ourselves in the NCAA Championship. I believe that our team will get better with each and every game throughout the season (whether we win or lose), because we always find ways to learn from our wins and losses.
Why did you choose UCI?
There are too many reasons that reflect my decision-making in choosing UCI. However, there are three major reasons; the first one being that I wish to elevate my sport to the highest level I possibly can. At the time of my decision, I was confident that UCI was capable of providing me assistance in achieving this goal because I was well aware that the volleyball program has been successful in the past 10 years winning four National Championships, while also knowing the culture residing in the program itself was strong and to my liking. Additionally, I am very academically driven and knew that the major I desired to pursue would be Business Economics. It also motivated me further knowing that UCI had a great reputation for their academics and an excellent Business Program. Lastly, in choosing UCI I knew that I would learn, grow and mature at an exponential rate because I would be far from home. Such an experience would force me to increase my self-management and discipline skills in order to meet a happy balance.
So far, I am thoroughly enjoying my journey as a student-athlete at UC Irvine. Everything I wished to improve and achieve at the time of my decision is going smoothly and as planned. I have no regrets.
Do you have any superstitions or a pregame routine?
Not really. However, the pregame routine I tend to engage with often is listening to music and visualizing all the possible outcomes I could face in a volleyball match. It psychologically prepares me better before a given match, and I proactively plan a favorable reaction for all the possible outcomes I could face. Visualizing also helps me improve my focus level and confidence.
How has Ottawa's multicultural dynamic shaped you as a person? Parlez-vous français?
Yes, I do speak French. In fact, it is my first language! Ottawa is the city I grew up in for most of my life, and the culture and social environments I was exposed to throughout my life had a big influence in the type of person I am today. One of the main elements I was taught at an early age and continued to be reminded of is to treat others by the same behavior you wish to receive in return, such as respect and politeness alongside other things. Effectively, this was referred to as the "Golden Rule." The themes of my elementary school and high school were also highly focused on prohibiting bullying and racism, and ultimately treating others equally. I am grateful for being raised the way I did, because I enjoy how genuine I am when I interact with others in a social environment.
Before the season gets underway, Alexandre took some time to talk about his experience playing with the Canadian National Team, family support and his expectations for the 2020 campaign.
Alexandre Nsakanda
Men's Volleyball
Year: Redshirt Sophomore
Major: Business Economics
Hometown: Ottawa, Canada
How was your time playing for the Canadian National Team?
It is always an honor representing my country while also playing my favorite sport. Thus far throughout my career, I've had the privilege of being a part of the Canadian Youth National Team (2016) and the Junior National Team (2017-2018). It is certainly a journey filled with gratitude and excitement as all the top players in Canada forge a team and train hard in order to be prepared for when the time comes to play against other talented countries. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time playing for these teams because the experience provided me character and ultimately reinforced my volleyball skills.
What has your dad meant to you in your development as a player and a person?
My dad has always been my biggest supporter throughout my life (alongside my mother). As a volleyball player, he always tells me to cherish every single moment because there is always a beginning and an ending with everything we do in life. He also reminds me to focus on the big picture, meaning to savor and appreciate the good moments in volleyball, while also demonstrating the same spirit when things are going bad because there are always important lessons that can be drawn from those situations if you have the right mindset.
My dad went through a lot in his early life in order to earn the things he has as of today, which inevitably gives him a larger amount of advice he can provide me with. Therefore, as a person he always tells me that there is no secret when striving towards your own goals and success; there is only discipline, hard work and consistency. When those things are taken seriously, life tends to become much more simplified and the path becomes less blurred. Nonetheless, he says to enjoy my life to its fullest because I am only given this once.
How did it feel making it to the Big West Conference All-Freshman Team?
It was truly an honor. It always feels good when you get rewarded with something like that after putting the hard work in throughout the entire volleyball season and beforehand. It was also fulfilling knowing that I was considered amongst the best volleyball freshmen within the Big West Conference.
What do you want to do with your Business Economics major?
Alongside with getting a degree in Business Economics, I am also inspired in obtaining a Master's in Finance as it will amplify my knowledge and open more doors for my future. Therefore, one of the many career jobs that interests me thus far is becoming a Financial Analyst for a company, because it includes many things that I am passionate about: Economic & Financial terms, computing/analyzing mathematical problems in order to make investment decisions, and communicating with others and performing presentations.
How would you describe the dynamic of the team?
All of us are in this process together and moving towards a common goal as a unified front. We are a very close family, and lean on each other when we are in need of help. We enjoy competing against each other in order to make each and every single one of us better. There are five themes that are present within our team, which are the following: Gratitude, Trust, Love, Vulnerability and Paying Attention to Detail. Having said this, we make sure to demonstrate and admire these themes with everything we do, because they are inherently meaningful to us.
Essentially, although winning a National Championship is always our biggest goal throughout each season, our other ultimate goal consists of making sure that a real sense of brotherhood exists among us, and that we are consistently improving every day, whether by a considerable amount or by merely 1%.
What are your expectations for the upcoming season?
I am confident in saying that our team has all the necessary tools to grant us success for this season. We are very disciplined in the things we do - especially in taking care of the little things. We all believe that we can do and achieve great things for this upcoming season if we continue to marry the process.
Having said this, I believe that we are capable of winning the Big West Championship, and at least presenting ourselves in the NCAA Championship. I believe that our team will get better with each and every game throughout the season (whether we win or lose), because we always find ways to learn from our wins and losses.
Why did you choose UCI?
There are too many reasons that reflect my decision-making in choosing UCI. However, there are three major reasons; the first one being that I wish to elevate my sport to the highest level I possibly can. At the time of my decision, I was confident that UCI was capable of providing me assistance in achieving this goal because I was well aware that the volleyball program has been successful in the past 10 years winning four National Championships, while also knowing the culture residing in the program itself was strong and to my liking. Additionally, I am very academically driven and knew that the major I desired to pursue would be Business Economics. It also motivated me further knowing that UCI had a great reputation for their academics and an excellent Business Program. Lastly, in choosing UCI I knew that I would learn, grow and mature at an exponential rate because I would be far from home. Such an experience would force me to increase my self-management and discipline skills in order to meet a happy balance.
So far, I am thoroughly enjoying my journey as a student-athlete at UC Irvine. Everything I wished to improve and achieve at the time of my decision is going smoothly and as planned. I have no regrets.
Do you have any superstitions or a pregame routine?
Not really. However, the pregame routine I tend to engage with often is listening to music and visualizing all the possible outcomes I could face in a volleyball match. It psychologically prepares me better before a given match, and I proactively plan a favorable reaction for all the possible outcomes I could face. Visualizing also helps me improve my focus level and confidence.
How has Ottawa's multicultural dynamic shaped you as a person? Parlez-vous français?
Yes, I do speak French. In fact, it is my first language! Ottawa is the city I grew up in for most of my life, and the culture and social environments I was exposed to throughout my life had a big influence in the type of person I am today. One of the main elements I was taught at an early age and continued to be reminded of is to treat others by the same behavior you wish to receive in return, such as respect and politeness alongside other things. Effectively, this was referred to as the "Golden Rule." The themes of my elementary school and high school were also highly focused on prohibiting bullying and racism, and ultimately treating others equally. I am grateful for being raised the way I did, because I enjoy how genuine I am when I interact with others in a social environment.
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