February 18, 2015

OUA Announces 2015 Women's West Division Volleyball Major Awards and All-Stars

As far as debut seasons go in Ontario University Athletics (OUA), it will be tough for anyone to match what Western Mustangs middle hitter Kelsey Veltman (Brampton, Ont.) did in 2014-15.

As far as debut seasons go in Ontario University Athletics (OUA), it will be tough for anyone to match what Western Mustangs middle hitter Kelsey Veltman (Brampton, Ont.) did in 2014-15.

In her rookie season, Veltman dominated the conference and has been named OUA West Division Player of the Year, an OUA First-Team All-Star, OUA West Division Rookie of the Year, and named to the OUA West Division All-Rookie Team.

Her strong play on offence and defence made Veltman the top player in the division, as she ranked first in OUA in solo blocks (49), blocks per set (1.19), and points (292); seventh in hitting percentage (.307); and seventh in kills (199).

Though Veltman is the Mustangs only All-Star or major award winner, the future looks bright at Western. Libero Courtney Sestric (London, Ont.) was named to the West Division All-Rookie Team, and with Veltman, expects to anchor the Mustangs for years to come. Western is already making a surprise appearance in the OUA Women's Final Four this weekend after upsetting the first-place McMaster Marauders in the West quarter-finals following a 7-12 regular season.

The McMaster Marauders won the West Division and lead the way in All-Star voting with three members of its roster receiving First-Team honours, and one Second-Team selection. Outside hitter Joanna Jedrzejewska (Hamilton, Ont.), middle hitter Taylor Brisebois (Bolton, Ont.), and outside hitter Lauren Mastroluisi (Ancaster, Ont.) were all named OUA West Division First-Team All-Stars.

Jedrzejewska was lethal around the net, recording 235 kills and 3.56 kills per set, ranking third in OUA in both categories. She also ranked fourth in points per set (4.1) to earn her first First-Team All-Star honour.

After being named to the Second-Team last year, Brisebois is now an OUA First-Team All-Star. She was a menace for opposing offences, ranking fourth in OUA in blocks (68), and eighth in blocks per set (0.97), while finishing 10^th in the conference with a .285 hitting percentage.

Like Jedrzejewska, Mastroluisi is also a First-Team All-Star for the first time in her career. Her steady play and excellent serving contributed greatly to the Marauders success; she ranked sixth in OUA with 31 service aces, and 11^th in the conference with 0.44 service aces per set.

The Marauders Second-Team All-Star selection is middle hitter Maicee Sorensen (Hamilton, Ont.), who receives the honour for the second year in a row, and was an All-Rookie team selection last season. Sorensen's .335 hitting percentage was fourth best in the conference this season.

Marauders head coach Tim Louks was named OUA West Division Coach of the Year for the sixth time since 1997. He led the Marauders to a first-place finish in the West and a 15-4 record, and did not lose a single game against a West Division opponent in the regular season. He last won Coach of the Year in the 2010-11 season.

After winning 2014 Rookie of the Year and making the First All-Star team, Guelph left side hitter Madison DeDecker (Dorchester, Ont.) picked up right where she left off and is once again an OUA First-Team All-Star. She finished eighth in the conference with 198 kills, and ranked 10^th with 2.83 kills per set. Her strong offensive play was a huge reason Guelph finished second in the West Division.

What DeDecker provided the Gryphons on offence was matched on the defensive end by Kristen Almhjell (Richmond, B.C.) who takes home the West Division Libero of the Year Award for the second season in a row. She appeared in all 19 matches this season, and finished second in OUA with 327 digs and fifth with 4.42 digs per set. Almhjell also went the entire season without making a ball handling error.

Gryphons right side hitter Shannon Morelli (London, Ont.) was named a Second-Team All-Star after providing Guelph with steady play, averaging 1.77 kills per set, 0.47 blocks per set, and 2.4 points per set.

Rounding out the West Division First-Team All-Star selections is Brock Badgers setter Lauren Stirling (Whitby, Ont.). After being named to the Second-Team last season, Stirling continued improving and became one of the best servers and playmakers in the province. Along with leading the conference in service aces (39) and service aces per set (0.56), Stirling also finished eighth in assists (509) and 10^th in assists per set (7.27).

Renee Helmer (Waterloo, Ont.), Brock's left side hitter, was named a Second-Team All-Star. She finished sixth in the conference with 209 kills; and eighth in total points (247.5). Badgers outside hitter Abby Jenkins (Cambridge, Ont.) was also named to the All-Rookie team.

The OUA West Division Award of Merit is given to the student-athlete who best combines academics, community involvement and athletics, and this year it goes to Windsor Lancers outside hitter Hannah Robson (Windsor, Ont.).

Robson has been an Academic All-Canadian in each of her four years at Windsor, maintaining an 88% average over that time while majoring in Human Kinetics. Along with academics, Robson volunteers at Habitat for Humanity in Windsor, helping to build houses in the neighborhood she where grew up. She also tutors, runs "Little Spikes" local volleyball club, and works with a chronic disease program that monitors the rehab of its patients.

On the court, Robson has been a four-year starter at Windsor and is captain of the team. Since transitioning from libero last season, she averaged 2.29 kills per set, and 2.98 digs per set this year.

Middle hitter Shannon Dean (Whitby, Ont.) is the Lancers lone All-Star selection, as she receives Second-Team honours. A First-Team selection last year, Dean put together another impressive season finishing ninth in solo blocks (28) and 10^th in service aces per set (0.45).

Lakehead Thunderwolves left side hitter Jennifer Casey (Winnipeg, Man.) was an offensive force this season and receives a Second-Team All-Star selection. Casey finished fourth in OUA with 3.51 kills per set. Also from Lakehead, middle hitter Rheanna Geisel (Dauphin, Man.) was named to the All-Rookie team.

The Waterloo Warriors lone All-Star selection is middle hitter Natasha Spaling (Drayton, Ont.), who receives Second-Team honours. Spaling finished 10^th in the conference with 27 service aces, while averaging 0.77 blocks per set, and 2.7 points per set. Though the Warriors struggled this season, there is reason to be optimistic for next year. Waterloo left side hitter Sammie Gwozdz (Waterloo, Ont.) and Clair Mackenzie (Vancouver, B.C.) were both named to the OUA West Division All-Rookie Team.

OUA West Division Major Award Winners

Player of the Year: Kelsey Veltman – Western Mustangs

Libero of the Year: Kristen Almhjell – Guelph Gryphons

Rookie of the Year: Kelsey Veltman – Western Mustangs

Award of Merit: Hannah Robson – Windsor Lancers

Coach of the Year: Tim Louks – McMaster Marauders

OUA First-Team All-Stars

Kelsey Veltman – Western Mustangs

Maddie DeDecker – Guelph Gryphons

Joanna Jedrezjewska – McMaster Marauders

Lauren Stirling – Brock Badgers

Taylor Brisebois – McMaster Marauders