Heat well represented on conference All-Star teams

The Canada West conference has released their regular-season volleyball awards and the UBC Okanagan Heat have once again placed a pair of players on All-Star teams.

Aidan Lea, a third-year middle, made the first team, while fifth-year outside hitter Michelle Jakszuk was rewarded for the strongest season of her career with a spot on the second team.

This marks the sixth straight year the UBCO women’s volleyball team has placed at least one player on a Canada West All-Star team.

“It must be a difficult task for the coaches around the Canada West Conference to decide who to vote when considering our players,” Heat head coach Steve Manuel said. “We have such a wellrounded group that I believe any of our starting lineup could have been recognized.

“Siobhan Fitzpatrick had another great season, Erin Drew is a top middle blocker, Ann Richards was our top point producer in several key matches, and Sara McCreary leads Canada West in assists, which is the only statistic for setters.”

The numbers are impressive for Lea, who in just her second season with the Heat has become one of the top attackers out of the middle position across the country.

Lea played in all 24 matches for UBCO, finishing with 226 kills and 2.57 kills per set — both those numbers are top-15 in the conference. What separates Lea from the rest of the pack is how few attacks it took her to amass those numbers, as she was set just 438 times. Lea’s attack rate was second best in the conference (.336).

The 6-foot-6 Kelowna product also finished with 23 service aces, 75 total blocks and 21 solo blocks — second best in Canada West.

“Aidan has been a force for the two years she has been playing for UBCO,” Manuel said. “She has been a difference maker in several matches again this year.”

Jakszuk, from Gibsons, is one of only two fifth-year players for the Heat this season, and she has embraced a leadership role, to go along with her eye-popping athleticism.

Jakszuk has also played in all 24 matches for the Heat and was tops on the team with 246 kills — 12th best in the conference. Her kills per set (2.80) and attack rate (.202) ranked 11th and 14th across the conference, respectively.

Jakszuk joined the 500-500 career club (kills and digs) thanks to a career year on defence with 228 digs, averaging 2.59 per set — 17th best in the conference and one of the top marks for a non-libero.

Jakszuk was also strong at the net with 51 total blocks — also one of the best numbers from a player on the outside. “I am very pleased for Michelle that she is being recognized for her performance so far this season,” Manuel said of Jakszuk, who scored 292 points, averaging 3.3 points per set. “She is a major point producer, a primary passer and a fierce blocker. Michelle has been a big reason for our success this year, but also throughout her career — helping our team to once again be one of the final four teams remaining in Canada West for the fifth year running.”

The Heat women will continue their quest for a first ever CW conference championship banner this weekend with a best-of-three in Vancouver against the Thunderbirds.

The UBCO men’s volleyball team also earned a couple conference accolades as Lars Bornemann capped his career with an All-Star selection, while Caleb Funk was named to the All-Rookie team.

Bornemann, the Heat’s captain and all-time kills leader, closed out his career in style by becoming one of 11 players in conference history to surpass 1,000 kills and 500 digs. He finished with 1,275 kills, sixth best in the history of Canada West.

Funk, a 6-foot-7 middle from Strathmore, Alta., emerged as one of the top first-year players over the 24-match regular season — starting all but the first and last matches.

“I am exceptionally proud of both Lars and Caleb,” coach Brad Hudson said.