Gaels Look National
Four members of the Queen’s men’s volleyball team have been invited to attend the 2009 Canadian Junior National Team selection camp in Winnipeg from June 15-18.
Joren Zeeman of Cambridge and Michael Amoroso of Toronto are returning to the camp having participated last season. Joining Zeeman and Amoroso are Niko Rukavina of Mississauga, and setter Daniel Rosenbaum of Hamilton.
Zeeman finished this year ranked fourth in the OUA scoring breaking into the top twenty across the country. He was selected as a CIS All-Canadian and OUA all-star after tallying 245 points and averaging 3.83 points per game while also registering 209 kills. Amoroso completed his second season with Gaels this year recording 139 points, including 103 kills and 41 blocks.
Rukavina was third on the team in scoring with 213 points and the highest attack efficiency of all outside hitters in the OUA, at 34.3% in 2008-09. In the setter’s position Rosenbaum led the province in assists with 740 good for third in the nation. Playing in 70 sets this season he averaged over 10 assists per game helping the Gaels capture their second consecutive OUA silver medal.
“The fact that we have four of our team members who have earned invitations to this selection is tremendous and speaks really well for their progress and our team’s future.” said Queen’s Head Coach Brenda Willis. “All four of these athletes have international potential and the opportunity to train with the top 24 players in Canada in their age group and to challenge for a position on the World Championship roster, are experiences that will definitely make them better.”
The national team has 12 positions with two alternates available. In all, 24 athletes from across Canada will be competing for the open 12 positions. The purpose of the camp is to identify and select athletes who have long-term potential with the Senior National Team. Athletes who are selected at the conclusion of the camp will be asked to stay in Winnipeg to train through to departing for the 2009 FIVB Junior Men’s World Championship that is scheduled for Pune, India from July 31- August 9.
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