February 18, 2010

HAMILTON, Ont. - Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is pleased to announce its East major award winners and all-stars for women's volleyball.

Fifth-year player Michelle Wood (Toronto) of the Toronto Varsity Blues is the East libero of the year. Wood was tied for fourth in digs per game in 2009-10, averaging 4.06 for a Toronto team that finished first in its division with a 14-5 record. The Varsity Blues lost a league-low 19 sets, with Wood's defensive prowess being a major factor.

Ottawa Gee-Gees left side/right side Karina Krueger-Schwanke (Blumenau, Brazil) is the East rookie of the year. Krueger-Schwanke led the Gee-Gees in points with 216.5 and kills with 189. The first-year player also contributed 191 digs, 15 aces, 13 assists and nine blocks for playoff-bound Ottawa.

Dustin Reid of the Ryerson Rams is the East coach of the year. The Rams finished just out of the playoffs with an 8-11 record, but recorded their highest win total in five seasons. It was Reid's first full-season leading the Rams after being named head coach in November, 2008. Reid is a former Canadian national team player, having represented Canada in more than 120 international matches.

Fifth-year middle Lauren Willoughby (Unionville, Ont.) of the Toronto Varsity Blues is the East recipient of the award of merit. The former Western Mustang is enrolled in the faculty of medicine, where she volunteers teaching high school students about safe sex and is a tutor in the faculty's clinical skills program. She also volunteers at a volleyball camp in her hometown. She led the Varsity Blues with 40 blocks in 2009-10.

Not surprisingly, two players from each of the top three teams in the East have been named first-team all-stars. Left side Heather Bansley (Waterdown, Ont.) and right side Kristina Valjas (Toronto) of the Varsity Blues, left side Natalie Gray (Oshawa, Ont.) and middle Colleen Ogilvie (Calgary) of the second-place Queen's Gaels, and left side Sarah Sutton (Scarborough, Ont.) and middle Kristina Vlcek (Toronto) of the defending OUA champion York Lions all had strong seasons for their respective teams.

OUA East second-team all-stars include left side Karlee Diesing (Coquitlam, B.C.) of the Varsity Blues, middle Katie Matthews (Aurora, Ont.) of the Gaels, setter Tess Edwards (Ottawa) and Krueger-Schwanke of the Gee-Gees, left side Leah Saar (Ajax, Ont.) of the Rams and right side Vanessa Chorkawy (Lively, Ont.) of the Lakehead Thunderwolves.

Krueger-Schwanke, right side Norah Collins (Cedar Valley, Ont.) of the RMC Paladins and left side Rebecca Crosier (Ottawa) of the Varsity Blues were named to the OUA all-rookie team. The remainder of the all-rookie team, and the West award winners and all-stars will be announced on Friday.

The OUA quarter-finals will begin on Friday on three courts; Ottawa visits Toronto, Queen's hosts York and the Guelph Gryphons battle the host Western Mustangs. On Saturday, the McMaster Marauders entertain the Waterloo Warriors. Women's volleyball award winners and all-stars will be honoured at the OUA Final Four championship on Friday, Feb. 26.

2010 OUA EAST WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

Libero of the Year: Michelle Wood (Toronto)
Rookie of the Year: Karina Krueger-Schwanke (Ottawa)
Coach of the Year: Dustin Reid (Ryerson)
Award of Merit: Lauren Willoughby (Toronto)

FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS
Heather Bansley (Waterdown, Ont.) - Toronto
Natalie Gray (Oshawa, Ont.) - Queen's
Colleen Ogilvie (Calgary) - Queen's
Sarah Sutton (Scarborough, Ont.) - York
Kristina Valjas (Toronto) - Toronto
Kristina Vlcek (Toronto) - York

SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
Vanessa Chorkawy (Lively, Ont.) - Lakehead
Karlee Diesing (Coquitlam, B.C.) - Toronto
Tess Edwards (Ottawa) - Ottawa
Karina Krueger-Schwanke (Blumenau, Brazil) - Ottawa
Katie Matthews (Aurora, Ont.) - Queen's
Leah Saar (Ajax, Ont.) - Ryerson

OUA ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Norah Collins (Ceder Valley, Ont.) - RMC
Rebecca Crosier (Ottawa) - Toronto
Karina Krueger-Schwanke (Blumenau, Brazil) - Ottawa

- OUA -