Isaac Heslinga balances engineering rigour, elite volleyball in Top 8 All-Canadian season

Isaac Heslinga’s success was built through routine rather than recognition. Balancing the demands of a Mechanical Engineering program with the expectations of one of the country’s top men’s volleyball teams, the University of Alberta standout carved out a five-year career defined by discipline, consistency and growth, a combination that earned him 2024-25 U SPORTS Top 8 Academic All-Canadian honours.

A recent University of Alberta graduate from Orangeville, Ont., Heslinga paired Academic All-Canadian standing with a historically productive final season, while setting a standard for efficiency and leadership within the Golden Bears program.

“I try not to look so far into the future,” Heslinga said. 

“Even in a season, I’m not really looking at nationals yet. I’m not looking at playoffs. I just try to focus on the game and what we can do in that moment.” 

That mindset defined both his approach to competition and his academic journey.

Heslinga led Canada West and U SPORTS during the 2024-25 season in kills, kills per set, points and points per set, producing an efficiency rate that placed him among the most effective attackers the university game has seen in decades. His .373 attack percentage underscored not only his physical tools, but the precision and consistency with which he applied them. Over his career, he finished among Alberta’s all-time leaders in kills, points and service aces, capping a tenure that coincided with sustained national success for the Golden Bears program.

Yet Heslinga’s path to volleyball prominence did not begin with a single-sport focus. He grew up playing lacrosse, following his older brother into the sport before eventually shifting his attention in Grade 8.

“My brother played a little bit of club volleyball, and at the time I was playing lacrosse,” Heslinga said. 

“So I decided I wanted to change something. I joined a local club team, and then my brother actually played college, so that was something I wanted to do, play post-secondary and play university. And now I’ve gotten to the point where I can play professionally.” 

Choosing to leave Ontario for Alberta was a decision shaped by both sport and scholarship. During his recruiting visit, Heslinga saw a program that matched his competitive ambitions and an academic pathway that aligned with his interests.

“The team at Alberta, when I went on my visit, I really enjoyed the experience,” he said. 

“The level of volleyball in Canada West is very high, and I wanted to play at the highest level I could. And the engineering degree they offered was also exceptional.” 

Engineering, however, proved to be as formidable a test as any opposing block. Heslinga entered the Faculty of Engineering drawn by his interest in math and science, but the early transition was anything but smooth.

“In my first year of engineering, I was really contemplating if this was what I wanted to do,” he said. 

“It was during COVID, so it was quite challenging. I wouldn’t say my grades were the greatest at the beginning.” 

What carried him through was not only persistence, but community. Heslinga credits the support of classmates, many of whom were navigating the same workload, with helping him find his footing.

“It’s really big to have friends that are going through it, because you realize you’re not alone,” he said. 

“We were able to work together, help each other, and talk through the problems we were having. That helped a lot.” 

That same reliance on connection became a defining feature of his athletic growth. When Heslinga arrived in Edmonton, he described himself as one of the quietest recruits in the room. Over time, that changed.

“I was very quiet coming into university,” he said. 

“As the years went on, I started to break out of my shell a little bit, and eventually I got to the point where I was named captain in my last year.” 

Serving as captain brought its own lessons, particularly during a final season shaped by high expectations and difficult losses.

“When things don’t go the way you want them to, that’s probably the biggest test of leadership,” Heslinga said. 

“Being able to rally the guys after a big loss, manage your own emotions, and also help with what others are experiencing, that was a big opportunity for growth.” 

On the court, Heslinga remained true to his understated style. He was not drawn to theatrics or spectacle, preferring instead to let his performance speak.

“I’m more reserved,” he said.

“I’ll celebrate after points, but I’m not a big show guy. I try to communicate when I need to, but I’d say I’m quieter on the floor.” 

That composure extended to his mental approach. Heslinga emphasized staying present as a cornerstone of his success, particularly in a sport where momentum can shift on any rally.

“There are over 100 points in a game, and you’re probably winning about 50 per cent of them,” he said. 

“Being able to reset every single point is really big.” 

One practical tool helped anchor that focus.

“Breathwork,” Heslinga said. 

“Before every play, I take a deep breath and clear my head of the last point. It helps me stay present and ready.” 

That discipline has carried into his post-university career. Now playing professionally in France with Tours Volley-Ball, Heslinga says the habits formed during his U SPORTS years remain central to his identity as an athlete.

“Canadians have a good reputation for hard work,” he said. 

“Being diligent with lifts, getting as many reps as you can, and giving everything in practice, that’s something I learned throughout my university years and brought with me.” 

When Heslinga learned he had been named a Top 8 Academic All-Canadian, the recognition carried personal significance beyond the accolade itself.

“I was looking at the list of prior nominees, and it was really cool to see some of those names,” he said.

“One of them was actually my teammate and roommate for three years. It means a lot to be put on a list with those really amazing people.” 

For Heslinga, the honour represents not a culmination, but a reflection of sustained effort and proof that progress is rarely linear, but always earned.

“It didn’t start off so strong,” he said. 

“But we figured it out in the end.”