OUA announces men’s volleyball all-stars and major award winners

Varsity Blues fourth-year leftside hitter Steven Kung is the 2008-09 men’s volleyball player of the year as announced by Ontario University Athletics (OUA) on Monday, February 16th.

Kung is the first male volleyball player on a non-playoff team to claim this honour.

The Faculty of Physical Health and Education student is a very athletic and exciting player and has been the driving force of the Blues offence for the past two seasons. He is known as one of the best power hitters in the country, who has become the focal point of opposing defences.

“In addition to being one of the most explosive and dynamic volleyball players in the OUA, Steven Kung is an excellent leader both on and off the court,” said Blues head coach Ed Drakich.

The Toronto native was the only OUA player to average more than four points a set (4.39). He was also the only OUA player to earn over 300 total points for the entire season with 329.
Kung was the OUA leader in kills with 287. He was 15th in blocks with 36 and 14th in digs with 110. He was also named an OUA first team all-star, presented by Mikasa Sports Canada.

He was the University of Toronto’s athlete of the week, Jan. 26-Feb 1, after leading the Blues with 35 kills, nine digs and three service aces in two games as he guided Toronto in two key victories, including a stunning victory over the then No. 4 McMaster Marauders.

A 2007-08 CIS all-Canadian, Kung finished the season ranked eighth in the CIS in ppg and was the only OUA player in the CIS top 12. At the end of the regular season, he ranked fifth in the country in kills (287) and total points (329), and also finished eighth in kills per game (3.83).

Kung’s teammates Jessi Lelliott (Kelowna, B.C.) and Mike Manning (Vernon, B.C.) also received OUA recognition. Lelliott was named a second team all-star for the first time in his five-year university career, while Manning was selected to the OUA’s all-rookie team.

Sam Schachter (Richmond Hill, Ont.) of the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks is the OUA rookie of the year. Schachter was part of a Golden Hawks squad that made the OUA playoffs for the first time in 10 seasons. He led OUA in service aces with 40.

Gabe Degroot (Langley, B.C.) of the Guelph Gryphons is the libero of the year. The fourth-year player was the OUA leader in digs with 249, averaging 3.46 digs per set. He had sixty-four more than his closest competitor. Degroot averaged 3.46 digs per set.

The Dale Iwanoczko sportsman award is presented to Peter Hrkal (Caledon, Ont.) of the McMaster Marauders. Hrkal is an active volunteer, donating his time to the David Braley Sports Medicine Clinic at McMaster as well as Hamilton’s Riddell Youth Sports Academy. He is also a member of Athletes In Action.

The honours student is a Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) academic all-Canadian, as well as a member of the Dean’s list and a Marauder scholar. Hrkal was the team-leader in kills, kill percentage and blocks, fully recovering from shoulder surgery he received two seasons ago. He is also a first team all-star.

Jim Sage of the Western Mustangs is the OUA coach of the year. The Mustangs finished in third place with a record of 15-5, two wins better than the previous season. Among the team’s wins was a road victory against first place McMaster and a pair of wins against the second-place Queen’s Gaels.

2008-09 OUA MEN’S VOLLEYBALL MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

Player of the Year – Steven Kung (Toronto)
Rookie of the Year – Sam Schachter (Laurier)
Libero of the Year – Gabe Degroot (Guelph)
Dale Iwanoczko Sportsman Award – Peter Hrkal (McMaster)
Coach of the Year – Jim Sage (Western)

FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS
Jeremy Groenveld (McMaster)
Nathan Groenveld (McMaster)
Peter Hrkal (McMaster)
Steven Kung (Toronto)
Eric Simon (Western)
Cameron Wheelan (Laurier)
Joren Zeeman (Queen's)

SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
Kyle Bryce (Western)
Jeff DeMeza (Queen's)
Reid Hall (York)
Jessi Lelliott (Toronto)
Chris McLaughlin (Ryerson)
Kevin Stewart (Guelph)
Tyler Vivian (Waterloo)

ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Justin Kuskoff (Windsor)
Mike Manning (Toronto)
Luka Milosevic (Ryerson)
Shayne Petrusma (McMaster)
Winston Rosser (Guelph)
Sam Schachter (Laurier)
Kyle Williamson (Windsor)