LONDON, Ont. – On the day Western opens the OUA women’s volleyball playoffs against the Guelph Gryphons, several Mustangs were honoured for their strong play in the 2009-10 season with OUA major awards or all-star honours.
Rookie Claire Morrow (London, Ont.) of the Western Mustangs is the West libero of the year. Morrow made the most of a difficult task replacing two-time OUA and reigning Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) libero of the year Andrea Ruste, leading OUA in digs per game with an average of 4.62. Her 291 digs also led OUA. The Mustangs finished second in the OUA West with a 14-5 record, losing only 20 sets all season, best in the division. Morrow is also named to the OUA all-rookie team. She is also the daughter of national women's rowing team coach bwho is also the head coach of Western's women's rowing team.
Other Mustangs honoured include OUA West first-team all-star setter Jenna Thomson (St. Marys, Ont.) and second-team right-side Sarah Lowry (Calgary) and left-side Caleigh Whitaker (Sharon, Ont.). Lowry is the daughter of former NHLer and Calgary Flames captain Dave Lowry, while Whitaker is a national level beach volleyball player.
Julie Gordon (Barrie, Ont.) of the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks is the West rookie of the year. The first-year middle led her team with 227.5 points, 157 kills, 45 blocks and 34 service aces. She also contributed 70 digs. Gordon’s 34 service aces were good for second in all of OUA. Gordon is also an OUA second-team all-star as well as a member of the OUA all-rookie team.
Tim Louks of the McMaster Marauders is the OUA West coach of the year. Louks led the Marauders to an OUA-best 16-3 record, and home court advantage throughout the OUA playoffs.
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 WEST WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Libero of the Year: Claire Morrow (Western)
Rookie of the Year: Julie Gordon (Laurier)
Coach of the Year: Tim Louks (McMaster)
FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS
Kate Flanagan (Burlington, Ont.) - Waterloo
Jenn Holt (Hamilton, Ont.) - McMaster
Bojana Josipovic (Kitchener, Ont.) - Waterloo
Larissa Puhach (Burlington, Ont.) - McMaster
Jenna Thomson (St. Marys, Ont.) - Western
Kylen Van Osch (Exeter, Ont.) - Guelph
SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
Julie Gordon (Barrie, Ont.) - Laurier
Kaila Janssen (Oshawa, Ont.) - McMaster
Sarah Lowry (Calgary) - Western
Erin Mercer (Rockwood, Ont.) - Brock
Claire Sandor (Waterloo, Ont.) - Guelph
Caleigh Whitaker (Sharon, Ont.) - Western
OUA ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Julie Gordon (Barrie, Ont.) - Laurier
Claire Morrow (London, Ont.) - Western
Kaila Sequin (Windsor, Ont.) - Windsor
