February 21, 2008
OUA ANNOUNCES 2008 WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL ALL-STARS
HAMILTON, Ont. - With the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Women's Volleyball Final Four set to begin tomorrow, Friday February 22, the league is pleased to announce the 2007-08 all-stars and major award winners as selected by the coaches.
For the third consecutive year the East regular season champion Toronto Varsity Blues (17-2) boast Anastasia Danilova (Toronto, ON) and Mila Miguel Victoria, BC) to the first-team all-stars. Danilova a fifth year right side hitter makes her fourth consecutive appearance on the OUA first-team after showcasing her all around game and finishing the season second in the OUA with a 4.45 points per game average and 200 kills on the season, 34 service aces and 200 digs. Miguel finished the season with a 2.76 points per game average, and contributed 131 kills. Joining the two veterans on the first-team this season is teammate Heather Bansley (Waterdown, ON) who was a defensive threat for the Blues with 187 digs on the season, while averaging 3.38 points per game.
The Ottawa Gee-Gees (15-4) round out the first-team all-stars with three of their own. Kanata, Ontario standout, Christine Lamey makes her fourth consecutive appearance on the first-team. Lamey continued her dominance from last season to lead the OUA a second consecutive time and was also first in the CIS in points per game (4.74). She also finished the season with 254 digs, 28 service aces, and 269 kills. Joining Lamey on the first-team are teammates Kirsten Brouse (Bracebridge, ON) and for a third consecutive season, Laura Simons (London, ON). Brouse finished the year with 108 kills and a 3.03 points per game average while Simons finished the season fourth in the OUA with 620 assists on the year.
Michelle Wood has taken the east first-team libero of the year honours, after showcasing her defensive talents for the first place Blues while averaging 3.91 digs per game.
For the second consecutive year the Queen's Golden Gaels have the best first-year player as Elyssa Heller (Highland Park, IL) has been named the East Rookie of the Year. In just her first year in the league Heller made an immediate impact leading the team in almost every category including games played (63), points per game average (3.08), and with 164 kills on the year. Kirsten Brouse takes her second award of the 2007-8 season, and has been honoured with the Award of Merit as she has demonstrated an outstanding dedication and commitment to OUA volleyball.
Fort he fourth time in her 19 year coaching tenure Toronto Varsity Blues head coach Kristine Drakich has been named the OUA East Coach of the Year. Under her direction, the Blues have qualified for 18 consecutive OUA Final Four appearances, winning the OUA championship banner six times. This year she has led the Blues to a 17-2 regular season record, and will look to bring her squad back to the finals this Saturday.
In the West, the division champion McMaster Marauders (16-3) feature two members on the first-team all-stars. Jenn Holt (Hamilton, ON) makes a return to the first-team as she received her first nod in 2006-07. Holt is joined by fifth-year teammate Carly Welch (Hamilton, ON) who led the team in scoring averaging 3.23 points per game. Joining the Marauders are two Waterloo Warriors (14-5) in Bojana Josipovic (Kitchener, ON) and Gaby Lesniak (Hamilton, ON). Josipovic finished the season third in the OUA with a points per game average of 4.33 to lead her team, while Lesniak finished the season sixth in the OUA with a 3.99 points per game average of her own. Laurier Golden Hawks (12-7), fifth-year, Danielle Walker (Oakville, ON) makes her fourth consecutive appearance on the first-team as she finished the season fourth in the OUA in points per game (4.02). Rounding out the first-team is Brock Badger (9-10), Shauna Peddle (Stoney Creek, ON) who led her team offensively with 185 digs on the season. Western's Andrea Ruste (Edmonton, AB) has been awarded the first-team libero award for the second consecutive year as she finished the season fourth in the OUA with 312 digs, in a true display of outstanding defensive talent.
The Western Mustangs also boast the 2007-08 OUA Rookie of the Year award in Elaine Screaton (Calgary, AB) as she led her team in kills (144) and service aces (23) this season while averaging 2.74 points per game and contributing 159 digs. Danielle Walker of the Golden Hawks has been awarded the West Award of Merit for her leadership and contribution to the university and community.
McMaster's Tim Louks has been awarded the OUA West Coach of the Year honours. Louks has guided his Marauders to a 16-3 record to sit atop of the west division standings heading into this weekend's final four championship.
EAST DIVISION
FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS - presented by Wilson Sports Equipment of Canada
NAME - SCHOOL - HOMETOWN
Heather Bansley - Toronto - Waterdown, ON
Kirsten Brouse - Ottawa - Bracebridge, ON
Anastasia Danilova - Toronto - Toronto, ON
Christine Lamey - Ottawa - Kanata, ON
Mila Miguel - Toronto - Victoria, BC
Laura Simons - Ottawa - London, ON
FIRST TEAM LIBERO
Michelle Wood - Toronto - Toronto, ON
SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
Candice Paulsen - York - Scarborough, ON
Nadia Reider - York - Vaughn, ON
Sarah Sutton - York - Scarborough, ON
Christiane Taylor - Queen's - Toronto, ON
Ariane Thibault - Ottawa - Rouyn-Noranda, QC
Caley Venn - Toronto - Bowmanville, ON
SECOND TEAM LIBERO
Antonia Stathakos - York - Brampton, ON
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Elyssa Heller - Queen's - Highland Park, IL
COACH OF THE YEAR
Kristine Drakich - Toronto
AWARD OF MERIT
Kirsten Brouse - Ottawa - Bracebridge, ON
WEST DIVISION
FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS - presented by Wilson Sports Equipment of Canada
Jenn Holt - McMaster - Hamilton, ON
Bojana Jospovic - Waterloo - Kitchener, ON
Gaby Lesniak - Waterloo - Hamilton, ON
Shauna Peddle - Brock - Stoney Creek, ON
Danielle Walker - Laurier - Oakville, ON
Carly Welch - McMaster - Hamilton, ON
FIRST TEAM LIBERO
Andrea Ruste - Western - Edmonton, AB
SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
Sarah Masterton - McMaster - Pickering, ON
Sarah Pardy - Guelph - Thorndale, ON
Andrea Ruste - Western - Edmonton, AB
Melissa St. Amant - Laurier - Penetanguishene, ON
Jenna Thomson - Western - St.Mary's, ON
Victoria Van Gilst - Brock - Trenton, ON
SECOND TEAM LIBERO
Melissa St. Amant - Laurier - Penetanguishene, ON
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Elaine Screaton - Western - Calgary, AB
COACH OF THE YEAR
Tim Louks - McMaster
AWARD OF MERIT
Danielle Walker - Laurier - Oakville, ON
ALL ROOKIE TEAM
Vanessa Chorkawy - Lakehead Sudbury, ON
Ally Fast - Brock - St.Catharines, ON
Megan Gilmore - Laurier - Cambridge, ON
Elyssa Heller - Queen's - Highland Park, IL
Natasha Khan - York - Scarborough, ON
Elaine Screaton - Western - Calgary, AB
- OUA -
Michelle Church
Communications & Media Relations Coordinator
Ontario University Athletics
Tel: (905) 540-5156
Fax: (905) 574-2840
E-mail: michelle.church@oua.ca
Web: www.oua.ca
For the third consecutive year the East regular season champion Toronto Varsity Blues (17-2) boast Anastasia Danilova (Toronto, ON) and Mila Miguel Victoria, BC) to the first-team all-stars. Danilova a fifth year right side hitter makes her fourth consecutive appearance on the OUA first-team after showcasing her all around game and finishing the season second in the OUA with a 4.45 points per game average and 200 kills on the season, 34 service aces and 200 digs. Miguel finished the season with a 2.76 points per game average, and contributed 131 kills. Joining the two veterans on the first-team this season is teammate Heather Bansley (Waterdown, ON) who was a defensive threat for the Blues with 187 digs on the season, while averaging 3.38 points per game.
The Ottawa Gee-Gees (15-4) round out the first-team all-stars with three of their own. Kanata, Ontario standout, Christine Lamey makes her fourth consecutive appearance on the first-team. Lamey continued her dominance from last season to lead the OUA a second consecutive time and was also first in the CIS in points per game (4.74). She also finished the season with 254 digs, 28 service aces, and 269 kills. Joining Lamey on the first-team are teammates Kirsten Brouse (Bracebridge, ON) and for a third consecutive season, Laura Simons (London, ON). Brouse finished the year with 108 kills and a 3.03 points per game average while Simons finished the season fourth in the OUA with 620 assists on the year.
Michelle Wood has taken the east first-team libero of the year honours, after showcasing her defensive talents for the first place Blues while averaging 3.91 digs per game.
For the second consecutive year the Queen's Golden Gaels have the best first-year player as Elyssa Heller (Highland Park, IL) has been named the East Rookie of the Year. In just her first year in the league Heller made an immediate impact leading the team in almost every category including games played (63), points per game average (3.08), and with 164 kills on the year. Kirsten Brouse takes her second award of the 2007-8 season, and has been honoured with the Award of Merit as she has demonstrated an outstanding dedication and commitment to OUA volleyball.
Fort he fourth time in her 19 year coaching tenure Toronto Varsity Blues head coach Kristine Drakich has been named the OUA East Coach of the Year. Under her direction, the Blues have qualified for 18 consecutive OUA Final Four appearances, winning the OUA championship banner six times. This year she has led the Blues to a 17-2 regular season record, and will look to bring her squad back to the finals this Saturday.
In the West, the division champion McMaster Marauders (16-3) feature two members on the first-team all-stars. Jenn Holt (Hamilton, ON) makes a return to the first-team as she received her first nod in 2006-07. Holt is joined by fifth-year teammate Carly Welch (Hamilton, ON) who led the team in scoring averaging 3.23 points per game. Joining the Marauders are two Waterloo Warriors (14-5) in Bojana Josipovic (Kitchener, ON) and Gaby Lesniak (Hamilton, ON). Josipovic finished the season third in the OUA with a points per game average of 4.33 to lead her team, while Lesniak finished the season sixth in the OUA with a 3.99 points per game average of her own. Laurier Golden Hawks (12-7), fifth-year, Danielle Walker (Oakville, ON) makes her fourth consecutive appearance on the first-team as she finished the season fourth in the OUA in points per game (4.02). Rounding out the first-team is Brock Badger (9-10), Shauna Peddle (Stoney Creek, ON) who led her team offensively with 185 digs on the season. Western's Andrea Ruste (Edmonton, AB) has been awarded the first-team libero award for the second consecutive year as she finished the season fourth in the OUA with 312 digs, in a true display of outstanding defensive talent.
The Western Mustangs also boast the 2007-08 OUA Rookie of the Year award in Elaine Screaton (Calgary, AB) as she led her team in kills (144) and service aces (23) this season while averaging 2.74 points per game and contributing 159 digs. Danielle Walker of the Golden Hawks has been awarded the West Award of Merit for her leadership and contribution to the university and community.
McMaster's Tim Louks has been awarded the OUA West Coach of the Year honours. Louks has guided his Marauders to a 16-3 record to sit atop of the west division standings heading into this weekend's final four championship.
EAST DIVISION
FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS - presented by Wilson Sports Equipment of Canada
NAME - SCHOOL - HOMETOWN
Heather Bansley - Toronto - Waterdown, ON
Kirsten Brouse - Ottawa - Bracebridge, ON
Anastasia Danilova - Toronto - Toronto, ON
Christine Lamey - Ottawa - Kanata, ON
Mila Miguel - Toronto - Victoria, BC
Laura Simons - Ottawa - London, ON
FIRST TEAM LIBERO
Michelle Wood - Toronto - Toronto, ON
SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
Candice Paulsen - York - Scarborough, ON
Nadia Reider - York - Vaughn, ON
Sarah Sutton - York - Scarborough, ON
Christiane Taylor - Queen's - Toronto, ON
Ariane Thibault - Ottawa - Rouyn-Noranda, QC
Caley Venn - Toronto - Bowmanville, ON
SECOND TEAM LIBERO
Antonia Stathakos - York - Brampton, ON
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Elyssa Heller - Queen's - Highland Park, IL
COACH OF THE YEAR
Kristine Drakich - Toronto
AWARD OF MERIT
Kirsten Brouse - Ottawa - Bracebridge, ON
WEST DIVISION
FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS - presented by Wilson Sports Equipment of Canada
Jenn Holt - McMaster - Hamilton, ON
Bojana Jospovic - Waterloo - Kitchener, ON
Gaby Lesniak - Waterloo - Hamilton, ON
Shauna Peddle - Brock - Stoney Creek, ON
Danielle Walker - Laurier - Oakville, ON
Carly Welch - McMaster - Hamilton, ON
FIRST TEAM LIBERO
Andrea Ruste - Western - Edmonton, AB
SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
Sarah Masterton - McMaster - Pickering, ON
Sarah Pardy - Guelph - Thorndale, ON
Andrea Ruste - Western - Edmonton, AB
Melissa St. Amant - Laurier - Penetanguishene, ON
Jenna Thomson - Western - St.Mary's, ON
Victoria Van Gilst - Brock - Trenton, ON
SECOND TEAM LIBERO
Melissa St. Amant - Laurier - Penetanguishene, ON
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Elaine Screaton - Western - Calgary, AB
COACH OF THE YEAR
Tim Louks - McMaster
AWARD OF MERIT
Danielle Walker - Laurier - Oakville, ON
ALL ROOKIE TEAM
Vanessa Chorkawy - Lakehead Sudbury, ON
Ally Fast - Brock - St.Catharines, ON
Megan Gilmore - Laurier - Cambridge, ON
Elyssa Heller - Queen's - Highland Park, IL
Natasha Khan - York - Scarborough, ON
Elaine Screaton - Western - Calgary, AB
- OUA -
Michelle Church
Communications & Media Relations Coordinator
Ontario University Athletics
Tel: (905) 540-5156
Fax: (905) 574-2840
E-mail: michelle.church@oua.ca
Web: www.oua.ca
