On a Sunday morning in February, Anna, Benedikt and Martin Licht stroll into the Kimel Family Field House at the University of Toronto's Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport with one question, "What should we wear?"
(Top: Benedikt Licht | Middle Left: Johann Licht | Middle Right: Martin Licht | Bottom: Anna Licht) (Photo by Seyran Mammadov)
Anna, who is heading into her final month as a fifth-year middle blocker for the Varsity Blues women's volleyball team, has helped to organize her three brothers for a family photo shoot prior to an afternoon double header versus Trent University.
Benedikt and Martin, both first-year members of the Varsity Blues men's volleyball squad, are wide-eyed and eager to pose, but are on a timeline prior to their 11 a.m. team meeting.
Five minutes later, Johann, the eldest Licht sibling and men's volleyball alumnus, strolls in and the shoot is ready to begin.
So how did four siblings from Germany end up at U of T?
When Ulrike and Dr. Christoph Licht moved their family to Toronto from Germany in July of 2006, their ties to U of T began.
With Johann entering grade 6 and Martin heading to junior kindergarten, Christoph became an assistant professor of paediatrics at the University of Toronto, and joined the Division of Nephrology at The Hospital for Sick Children as staff physician and the SickKids Research Institute as associate scientist. However, it was Ulrike who became the first U of T grad of the family.
"I'm actually the first alumna of our family," said Ulrike proudly, sporting her Varsity Blues hoodie. "After having established the kids [in Toronto], I was able to fulfil my life dream and go through teacher's college. I graduated 10 years ago, in June 2010, so all six of us are really tied to U of T."
(Top: Dr. Christoph Licht, Ulrike Licht, Anna, Johann | Bottom left to right: Benedikt, Martin)
When it came time for the Licht children to plan their post-secondary education, both parents ensured that each of their children picked U of T on their own accord.
"It was their own choice really," said Ulrike. "They all had different options and applied to different universities."
"They have seen the world," added Christoph. "I think they felt that it would not be necessary for them to move far again, but rather have their home base. U of T is a great school anyways so it was a relatively easy choice."
And choose they did. All four Licht siblings are in the midst of impressive academic pursuits. Johann is in his last year of a Master's in applied immunology, while Anna is wrapping up her undergrad as a health & disease specialist, environment and health major and physiology minor this spring.
Benedikt is a third-year human biology major and immunology and physiology minor, while Martin was the lone Licht to steer clear of the life sciences route, and instead chose the equally demanding engineering program.
(Left to Right: Benedikt, Anna, Martin) (Photo by Seyran Mammadov)
While the 2019-20 intercollegiate season has been one of firsts for Benedikt and Martin, it also marks Anna's last as a Varsity Blue.
"I just experienced five years of being a part of this amazing program and knowing that they have the next four years of having that same experience – it just makes me so happy," said an elated Anna.
To say that Anna's Varsity Blues volleyball career has been successful would be an understatement. She has twice been named an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East all-star, has been a member of two provincial championship teams and helped U of T to their first national title in program history in 2015-16.
She and the Blues have clinched home court advantage for the first round of the playoffs as they begin their OUA title defence at the end of February.
"Anna is a smart athlete and a leader," said Johann. "I think that's because of the fact that she played more than one sport for a very long time. She brings skills from many different sports and you see it on the court."
(Left to Right: Anna, Benedikt, Martin) (Photo by Seyran Mammadov)
Both Benedikt and Martin have helped the resurgent Blues men's volleyball team to a near-perfect regular season record thus far. U of T has secured first place in the OUA East division and, like the women's team, have consistently been ranked among the Top 10 teams in the country.
Benedikt ranks among the Top 10 players in the province in blocks per set, while Martin is coming off a season-high performance in the Blues 3-0 victory over the Trent Excalibur last week.
"Benedikt is a very physical volleyball player," said Anna. "He's tall, he's strong and I think he has a lot of raw talent. He puts his heart into the sport."
"Martin is extremely talented," added Benedikt. "What really characterizes him is [his quieter personality], but the fact that he's extremely athletic and skilled makes him a very important part of the team."
(Left to Right: Martin, Anna, Benedikt) (Photo by Seyran Mammadov)
So as Anna heads into her last month as a Varsity Blue, and Benedikt and Martin get ready to close out their first seasons in the Blue and White, the burning answer is still up in the air:
Who would you pick in the Licht family fantasy draft?
Without hesitation, Anna says: "Martin!"
Martin: "I have to go with Anna, because she took me."
Benedikt: "I'll definitely go with Johann now."
Johann, chuckling: "In my fantasy draft, I would pick Ben."
Anna: "Well, it's got to be fair!"