Alberta's Schmuland named player of the year

EDMONTON (CIS) - Fifth-year right side Joel Schmuland of the University of Alberta Golden Bears is the Canadian Interuniversity Sport men's volleyball player of the year.

Championship website:
www.cisport.ca/e/championships/m_volleyball/2009

Schmuland became the sixth Golden Bear to claim CIS-MVP honours since 1980-81, when current U of A head coach and former Olympian Terry Danyluk received the award. The Calgary native is the 11th consecutive winner from a team currently competing in the Canada West conference.

Other CIS major award winners announced Thursday night in Edmonton were Manitoba's Chris Voth of Winnipeg, who was chosen rookie of the year, Laval's Nicolas Quirion of Arthabaska, Que., named the nation's top libero, Danyluk of Tofield, Alta., who earned coach-of-the-year honours for a record-tying fifth time, and Winnipeg's Alan Ahow of Winnipeg, who received the Dale Iwanoczko award recognizing his excellence in volleyball, academics and community involvement.

The 2009 CIS men's volleyball championship, hosted by the University of Alberta, gets under way Friday with the quarterfinal match-ups. The gold-medal final is set for Sunday at 6 p.m. Mountain Time.

Schmuland, a 6-foot-7, 225-pound team co-captain, joined Danyluk, Doug Bruce (1996-97), Murray Grapentine (1998-99), Pascal Cardinal (2002-03) and Nicholas Cundy (2004-05) as Golden Bears named CIS most valuable players. A national champion with Alberta in his freshman campaign in 2004-05 and again last winter - when he was named a tournament all-star -, Schmuland's selection as a 2008-09 first-team all-Canadian team is his second in three years.

This season, the physical education and recreation student was ranked among the Canada West and CIS leaders in most statistical categories finishing third in the conference and fourth in the nation with an average of 4.79 points per set, placing sixth in Canada West and seventh in the country in kills (3.93 per set), third out West and 10th nationally in service aces (0.38 per set), and 10th in the conference with a .335 hitting percentage. The 22-year-old also chipped in defensively with 1.72 digs per set and at the net with 0.85 blocks per game.

Inspired by Schmuland's stellar play, Alberta is enjoying one of the best seasons in the program's storied history. The Bears, who have topped all 13 national coaches polls in 2008-09, are going into this weekend's CIS championship as the No. 1 seed following an 18-0 regular season that saw them win 54 of 60 sets, and a dominating performance at the Canada West Final Four were they scored a pair of straight-set victories over Winnipeg and Brandon, two teams that will compete at the national tournament.

"I am very happy that the coaches recognized Joel this season," Danyluk said. "He has been very steady for us the last three seasons as a starter and has also matured into a leader on and off the court. He has become one of the best attackers in the CIS and helped many teammates improve along the way as well because of his determination."

Voth is the third Bison to be named the nation's top rookie after Dan Lewis in 1995-96 and Trevor Dmitruk in 1991-92. Voth's sister, Ashley, who also plays volleyball at Manitoba, was CIS rookie of the year two years ago.

The 18-year-old was one of four freshmen who started for the Bisons this season. Despite the young squad missing the playoffs with a 4-14 record, Voth managed to finish in the top 10 in the very competitive Canada West conference in kills (3.00) and points (3.35) per set, and led his team in kills, points and digs while tying for second in service aces. The 6-foot-5, 180-pound left side was the only Bison to play in every set in 2008-09.

"Chris had a fantastic rookie season and was a big part of the team throughout 2008-09," Manitoba head coach Garth Pischke said. "He has incredible passion for the game that I have rarely seen in an individual, every time he steps on the court he wants to be a better player. I look forward to Chris to continue his success in Canada West in his sophomore season and beyond with Manitoba."

Quirion is the first player from the Quebec conference to be named best libero since the inception of the CIS award in 2003-04.

The business administration student has been the Rouge et Or defensive leader for the past three campaigns. At last year's CIS championship, he led all players in the tournament with 54 digs in three matches. This season, the 23-year-old racked up 1.60 digs per set as the Rouge et Or finished with a perfect conference record (18-0) for the first time in six years, captured the QSSF title with a two-game sweep of Montreal and qualified for the national championship for the 12th straight season. Laval was ranked second or third in all 13 national coaches polls in 2008-09 and goes into this weekend's CIS tourney as the No. 2 seed.

Quirion, who was born in Plessisville, Que., but grew up in Arthabaska, was selected to the senior national team for the first time last summer.

"Nicolas is the ultimate team player. He is a quiet leader who lets his play do the talking," Laval coach Pascal Clément said. "He is a source of motivation for his teammates and is always at his best when the stakes are high, as he demonstrated at last year's CIS championship."

Danyluk's fifth selection as CIS coach of the year tied him with Manitoba's Garth Pischke for most in CIS men's volleyball history. The Alberta sideline boss had previously claimed the award in 1996-97, 1998-99, 2003-04, and most recently in 2006-07.

His 16th season at the helm of the Golden Bears has been a memorable one so far. Coming off the fifth national title in team history, the Bears led all 13 coaches polls in 2008-09, kept a 25-1 overall record against CIS opponents, won 54 of 60 sets in conference play on their way to a perfect 18-0 mark, dominated Winnipeg and Brandon in straight sets at the Canada West Final Four to capture the conference banner, and are seeded No. 1 as they prepare to defend their national title on home court.

Under Danyluk's guidance the Golden Bears have claimed three CIS titles (1996-97, 2004-05, 2007-08) while another was won when he served as assistant coach in 2002-03 while acquiring his Masters degree from the U of A. Alberta goes into this weekend's championship running a mind-bugling streak of seven straight appearances in the national final.

Danyluk played three seasons for the Golden Bears from 1978-79 to 1980-81. He was named CIAU (now CIS) player of the year in his last campaign with the team and CIAU championship MVP in both 1980 and 1981, when he guided Alberta to its first title. As a member of the national team, he helped Canada capture gold at the 1982 Commonwealth Games and finish fourth at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He played at three Summer Universiades, leading Canada to a silver medal in 1983 in Edmonton.

"Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics, and our volleyball student-athletes most importantly, are very fortunate to have such high-quality, dedicated professional coaches to lead our programs," said Alberta Associate Athletic Director, Katie Spriggs. "Terry's selection by his peers is further indication of how highly regarded he is in the volleyball and coaching communities."

Ahow is the first Winnipeg player to receive the Dale Iwanoczko award since it was first presented in 1993-94.

In his fifth and final university season, the 6-foot-3 outside finished seventh in Canada West with 1.85 defensive digs per game and chipped in offensively with 2.75 points and 2.49 kills per set to help the Wesmen advance to the CIS championship for the third straight year. The 22-year-old was an integral part of Winnipeg's success over the past two campaigns when the team won a record-tying 10th Tantramar trophy in 2006-07 before claiming CIS silver a year ago.

Ahow is a dedicated student-athlete who has a 4.01 GPA in the very demanding combined Arts and Education degree program, which involves completing the two degrees simultaneously. An academic all-Canadian each of his first four years at Winnipeg, he will complete his Bachelor of Arts degree this spring and his Bachelor of Education degree in 2010.

In the community, Ahow has been a volunteer coach with the Grade 7 girl's volleyball and basketball teams at Arthur Day Middle School in Winnipeg, and with the Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute U17 boy's volleyball team. He assisted with the implementation of the junior golf program at Harbour View Golf Club, was a volunteer at the Volleyball Coaching Seminar for the past four seasons, and worked with inner city kids at the Manitoba Public Insurance Volleyball Camp in 2006 and 2007.

"Alan exemplifies what fantastic role models we have in Canadian university sport, long-time Wesmen coach Larry McKay said. "He works hard at his sport and his studies and finds time to give back to others what has been given to him in the past. We are all proud to have him as a teammate and friend."

The All-Canadian teams were also announced on Thursday.

Joining Schmuland on the first CIS squad were Montreal outside Emmanuel André-Morin of Vaudreuil-sur-le-Lac, Que., UBC left side Steve Gotch of Okotoks, Alta., Toronto left side Steven Kung of Toronto, Laval outside Thierry Lavigne of Rockland, Ont., Dalhousie outside Sander Ratsep of London, Ont., and Brandon left side Paul Sanderson of Melbourne, Australia.

The 2006-07 CIS rookie of the year, André-Morin was named a CIS all-star for the third time in as many university seasons, including two straight first-team nods. Kung and Sanderson were members of the second squad a year ago.

The second all-Canadian team for 2008-09 is comprised of Dalhousie middle Max Burt of Gander, Nfld., Trinity Western setter Chaim Schalk of Red Deer, Alta., Laval setter Olivier Faucher of Plessisville, Que., McMaster right side Jeremy Groenveld of Welland, Ont., Calgary right side Omar Langford of Toronto, Western Ontario outside Eric Simon London, Ont., and Queen's outside Joren Zeeman of Cambridge, Ont.

Faucher, a fifth-year senior, finishes his career with four all-Canadian selections, including a first-team nod in 2006-07.

Thompson Rivers outside Josh Boruck of Revelstoke, B.C., Memorial middle Scott Hickman of St. John's, Calgary left side Christopher Hoag of Sherbrooke, Que., Montreal setter Kenny Oshima of Bruxelles, Belgium, Guelph right side Winston Rosser of Whitby, Ont., and Wilfrid Laurier left side Samuel Schachter of Richmond Hill, Ont., joined Voth on the CIS all-rookie squad.

2008-09 CIS MEN'S VOLLEYBALL AWARDS & ALL-CANADIANS

Player of the year: Joel Schmuland, Alberta Golden Bears

Rookie of the year: Chris Voth, Manitoba Bisons

Libero of the year: Nicolas Quirion, Laval Rouge et Or

Coach of the year: Terry Danyluk, Alberta Golden Bears

Dale Iwanoczko Award (outstanding student-athlete): Alan Ahow, Winnipeg Wesmen

First Team
Position - Athlete - University - Year - Hometown - Faculty

Outside - Emmanuel André-Morin - Montreal - 3 - Vaudreuil-sur-le-Lac, Que. - Business Administration
Left Side - Steve Gotch - UBC - 5 - Okotoks, Alta. - Arts
Left Side - Steven Kung - Toronto - 4 - Toronto, Ont. - Physical Education & Health
Outside - Thierry Lavigne - Laval - 5 - Rockland, Ont. - Physical Education
Outside - Sander Ratsep - Dalhousie - 3 - London, Ont. - Economics
Left Side - Paul Sanderson - Brandon - 3 - Melbourne, Australia - BPES
Right Side - Joel Schmuland - Alberta - 5 - Calgary, Alta. - Physical Education & Recreation

Second Team

Middle - Max Burt - Dalhousie - 3 - Gander, Nfld. - Kinesiology
Setter - Chaim Schalk - Trinity Western - 5 - Red Deer, Alta. - GENR
Setter - Olivier Faucher - Laval - 5 - Plessisville, Que. - Industrial Relations
Right Side - Jeremy Groenveld - McMaster - 3 - Welland, Ont. - Geography
Right Side - Omar Langford - Calgary - 4 - Toronto, Ont. - Humanities
Outside - Eric Simon - Western Ontario - 4 - London, Ont. - Engineering
Outside - Joren Zeeman - Queen's - 2 - Cambridge, Ont. - Kinesiology & Health Studies

All-Rookie Team

Outside - Josh Boruck - Thompson Rivers - 1 - Revelstoke, B.C. - Science
Middle - Scott Hickman - Memorial - 1 - St. John's, Nlfd. - Business
Left Side - Christopher Hoag - Calgary - 1 - Sherbrooke, Que. - Social Sciences
Setter - Kenny Oshima - Montreal - 1 - Bruxelles, Belgium - Environnemental Geography
Right Side - Winston Rosser - Guelph - 1 - Whitby, Ont. - Arts
Left Side - Samuel Schachter - Wilfrid Laurier - 1 - Richmond Hill, Ont. - Business
Left Side - Chris Voth - Manitoba - 1 - Winnipeg, Man. - University 1