As an athlete, Nathan Groenveld has competed at every level possible. From 2004 – 2009, he would represent McMaster University in CIS competition where he garnered much success including team captain, OUA First team All-Star, CIS Championship All-Star, Team MVP, OUA Player of the Year, CIS First Team All Canadian and Male Athlete of the Year. The 6’ 7” middle would take his skills to another level in 2007 when he was added to the National Team program and would spend his next three years with the National Senior team. He represented Canada at the NORCECA Continental Championships in 2009, and an exhibition series in 2008 against Australia.
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“Dave brings an incredible wealth of knowledge and success to our program, and I am anticipating some post-season achievement to follow,” said Sheridan Athletic Director Jim Flack. “It’s obvious that Mac’s experience at Rick Hansen and McMaster University should have an immediate impact on the program, and I anticipate that he will bring the formula to the Bruins.”

As excited as the Sheridan athletic department is to have him on board, McAllister is equally thrilled about the opportunity.

“Jim and I have discussed some ideas around taking the program to the next level, and I think we have a common passion for watching student-athletes succeed in the classroom and on the court,” he said.  McAllister has also added two assistant coaches to his staff.

Mike Russell, an experienced and successful coach who has been a builder of volleyball programs throughout the Region of Peel for 25 years, joins Sheridan for the second time. He has coached a number of OFSSA medalists, and most recently was an assistant at McMaster, along with McAllister.

Sean Panchal, a Mississauga resident, was a former Athlete of the Year at Rick Hansen Secondary School and became the starting setter for the McMaster Marauders. He had an outstanding OUA career, leading the Marauders to an undefeated campaign in 2007-2008.

All three coaches have been involved with the OVA for many years as coaches and/or players.  McAllister and Russell started coaching with the Westside Volleyball club and eventually started the SVC club in Mississauga.  Panchal played for Westside, Falcons and MAC as well as participating in the Ontario Summer Games for Region 5.

Mcallister commented, “The addition of Mike and Sean will create the coaching team that I envisioned when Jim Flack and I met to discuss where we want the program to go. It’s clear that in this day and age, you can’t compete at the OCAA level without a knowledgeable and motivated staff, and these two guys exceed all expectations in those regards.” Sheridan has a great tradition of success and class, and I want our volleyball team to return to the years of glory.”

submitted by Mike Russell

Stephanie Stubbert was an accomplished soccer player in high school, but she gave up the sport for a year when she began attending Nipissing University, wanting to ensure she could manage the workload while also playing varsity volleyball.

By her second year, Stubbert knew she could handle both sports while pursuing a Bachelor of physical education degree.

As she took on more responsibility on the soccer field and volleyball court, Stubbert raised her game accordingly, whether it was finishing among the top 10 in OUA goal-scoring in soccer or leading the volleyball team to the OCAA gold medal game as the team’s leading scorer.

Stubbert was recognized Saturday as Nipissing’s female athlete of the year at the annual awards banquet….

“Anybody who is able to play competitive soccer and competitive volleyball at this level has to be a pretty good athlete,” Lady Lakers head coach Marc LaRochelle said, noting Stubbert’s strong work ethic. “She has tremendous athletic ability and (her success) is a testament to what she can do.”

Get the full story from Ken Pagan, The Nugget

Kara Hishon didn’t want her rookie OCAA season to end, and for one day at least her wish was granted.

Hishon, a 19-year from Stratford who sets for the Canadore Panthers women’s volleyball team, capped off her first season in Ontario college women’s volleyball with an all-star appearance as her West Region teammates were edged 3-2 by the East Region all-stars Saturday at Canadore’s Education Centre Gym.

“It was awesome,” said Hishon, a two-time all-Ontario high school volleyball gold medallist with St. Michael Catholic Secondary School including last season when the tournament was hosted at Widdifield Secondary School in North Bay. It kind of carries the season on because you never want it to end.

“So this was nice, especially because you spend the entire season with the girls, hanging out and playing volleyball and then it’s gone.”

It was also a chance for Hishon and Panthers team-mate Jordane Blanchette to celebrate the end of a solid season that otherwise ended in disappointment.

Get the full story from Jordan Ercit, Northbay Nugget

The games assemble the all-stars from the Central East; East region versus the all-stars from the Central West; West region in a best-of-five-volleyball men’s and women’s match. Over 60 athletes will be representing 21 Ontario Colleges at this event.

The women’s game is slated for 3:30 p.m., with the men’s following at 5:30 p.m. Both games will take place at the Canadore College Education Centre Gymnasium.

…A number of the competing athletes are 2009-2010 OCAA Award Winners. OCAA Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year-Ryan Talsma (Redeemer), OCAA Men’s Rookie of the Year, Men’s West Rookie of the Year, Men’s Regional Scoring Champion-Terrel Bramwell 5.90PPG (Humber), OCAA Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year, CCAA Women’s All-Canadians, Western Regional Scoring Champion-Shawna Metcalf 4.48PPG (Cambrian) and OCAA Women’s Rookie of the Year, Women’s West Rookie of the Year-Kelly Nyhof (Humber).

The event will also feature sport specific workshops.

Get the full story, Chris Dawson BayToday.ca

In the Championship game, Terrel Bramwell led the Humber attack with 20 kills and 21 offensive points. Brian Archibald countered for the Sting with 17 kills.

Humber picks up the Gold, and Seneca the Silver, and it was the host Redeemer Royals who edged out Mohawk College for the Bronze medal. In the bronze medal game the Royals came through in a 5 set thriller after being down 2-0 to start. Game scores were 17-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-15, and 15-10. This is Redeemer’s first ever Men’s Volleyball medal.

For the Hawks, Jordan Langley and Derek Quinn were named as Tournament All-Stars along with Jason Hernandez and Brain Archibald from the Seneca Sting, and Ryan Talsma for the Redeemer Royals. Humber Hawk Terrel Bramwell was named the 2010 VSP OCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship Tournament MVP.

Women, Cambrian College, Sudbury
The Nipissing Lady Lakers just missed out on a provincial championship, dropping the final two sets and settling for silver against the Humber Hawks in the OCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship game, Saturday.

Leading 2-1 after the first three sets, the Lady Lakers couldn’t close it out, with Humber rallying to take the final two sets in a 3-2 victory (20-25, 25-19, 19-25, 25-18, 15-9). It was Humber’s third consecutive OCAA women’s championship and Nipissing’s third straight silver.

The Mohawk Mountaineers won the bronze medal with a tough 3-2 battle over the Fanshawe Falcons of London, 25-23, 25-19 23-25, 23-25, 15-11.

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Ryan Talsma OCAA Player of the Year

It was a fitting end to a storied career for Redeemer University College’s Ryan Talsma who was honoured as the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association’s Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year at the OCAA championship breakfast banquet in Ancaster.

The Orono, Ontario native, finished the 2009-10 season ranking in the top three in four of the six West Region statistical categories including finishing second in total kills, service aces, total points and points per game average. He also ranked eighth in digs. A fourth year veteran, Talsma rewrote the OCAA’s record books this season becoming the All-time leader for kills in a career with 719 and total career points with 907. He also sits fifth in career aces with 103.

“Ryan Talsma is a humble leader that never gets bigger than the game,” said the Redeemer coaching staff. “He is the consummate teammate who works hard building relationships with his team mates that transcend the game. His leadership, natural gifts and his work ethic have made him one of the most feared players in the OCAA and across the country.”
Ryan was also honoured with his third consecutive CCAA All-Canadian Nomination and will be heading to Grant McEwan in Edmonton, Alberta to receive the honour at the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association’s Men’s Volleyball Championship banquet. He will be joined by Humber College’s Terrel Bramwell.

Bramwell took the OCAA by storm this season as one of the most electrifying hitters to grace the OCAA courts. The first year player was honoured as the OCAA’s Men’s Rookie of the Year, League and Regional scoring champion and as a CCAA All-Canadian.

“Terrel may be the most explosive rookie in the history of the OCAA,” commented Humber Head Coach Wayne Wilkins. “He has rocketed himself to be one of the best players in the province. He came to Humber from the heavily touted and nationally recognized Pakmen Volleyball Club. His athleticism is something to behold, as he jumps higher and hits harder than most. He adds a jump serve to his game that consistently draws aces.”

The Redeemer men’s program was not finished collecting the hardware as Wayne Harris was named the OCAA’s Men’s Coach of the Year and will be in the final mix as the CCAA National Coach of the Year award of excellence to be named in Edmonton.

redeemer.ca/athletics

Men’s Updates and live action from OCAA Championships at Redeemer College, Ancaster

Women’s Updates and live action from OCAA Championships at Cambrian College, Sudbury

The Mountaineer men mounted a furious fourth set comeback on the way to a 3-1 (25-20, 16-25, 25-19, 26-24) victory over the Trent Excalibur in crossover playoff action at the Fennell Gymnasium on Saturday (Feb. 20). Mohawk was led by Mo Sulaiman with 16 points (14 kills), Ian Cameron with 14 points (11 kills) and Cam Henschel (four kills, five stuff blocks) in the closely contested match.

The Mountaineers trailed 21-17 in the fourth set before roaring back, led by the inspired play of setter Zac Schulz.

Trent was led by Alex Gastel, who had 12 points (10 kills), and Joshua Neadow’s defense throughout.

The OCAA men’s volleyball championship will be played at Redeemer University College in Ancaster on the Feb. 25-27 weekend.

Meanwhile, the Mountaineer women also advanced to their OCAA championship, after a 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-13) decision over the Seneca Sting.

“It was the Jenn Knowles show,” said Mohawk head coach Sean Pellow. “They were not able to stop her. We played solid defense and served tough, which kept them off balance.”

Lauren Aquilina was also very strong for the home side. Mohawk will play Trent in the women’s quarter finals in Sudbury next Thursday.

Al Craig, Hamilton Scores

The fifth-year volleyball player from Ajax made history in January, becoming the all-time kills leader in Lords women’s volleyball history with 421. Her mark passed the previous top total of Erin Smith, who had 417.

Durham’s captain set the new mark Sunday January 23, but the Lords came out on the wrong end of a five-set marathon against the Cambrian Golden Shield, 3-2 with set scores of 25-19, 28-26, 23-25, 12-25 and 13-15.

Heading into the match, Durham had won seven straight games and 21 consecutive sets.

Doris, meanwhile, in addition to becoming the  new block leader, moved into fourth spot on the Ontario College Athletic Association’s all-time scoring list with 706, passing RMC’s Claire  Bramma, who had 705.

Learn more NewsDurhamRegion.com

The tournament featured five ranked teams in the OCAA and proved to be a good test for the team to begin the season’s second half, according to assistant coach Craig Ash.

In pool play, the Lakers opened with a sweep of the host Sting 3-0 (25-23, 25-11, 25-23). The Sting currently lead the East division with a 10-0 record and held the top ranking for several months in the first semester.

Libero Alex Spottiswood was named the player of the game.

“We have all the tools for success and I am pleased to see our team putting it all together against tough opponents,” Spottiswood said.

The Lakers then beat the Sheridan Bruins 3-1 (23-13, 25-15, 14-25, 25-16), with middle player Adam Leblanc named player of the game.

The Lakers roll against West division rival Niagara Knights, cruising to a 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-23) victory to advance to the tournament final. Taylor Bielby was selected the player of the game.

In the final, the Lakers came out with a strong first set, dominating the Falcons, but the momentum could not be maintained.

The passing that had been so consistent in previous matches struggled a bit and unforced errors at key times proved costly.

“After winning the first set in the finals, we backed down a bit and the work rate dropped,” said first-year middle Frankie Edgecombe. “We made more errors on our side of the court that were in our control and although we ended up losing, I thought we showed other teams what we have to offer and that we are a true contender in the OCAA.”

Setter David Keo was selected the player of the game. Keo and Leblanc were also named tournament all-stars.

The Lakers have made a steady climb up the OCAA rankings and now hold the No. 2 spot in the province. The Lakers will begin their push to the playoffs Saturday when they host the Saint Clair Saints at 2 p.m.

North Bay Nugget