The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) proudly recognizes Nipissing University men's volleyball student-athlete Frankie Edgecombe as its 2012-13 OCAA male athlete of the year.
Named an OCAA West Division first-team all-star for his play during the regular season, Edgecombe (Elmvale, Ont.) averaged 3.3 points per set with a team-high 136 kills, 32 blocks and 30 aces totaling 198 points. The Nipissing Lakers had a strong start to their 2012-13 campaign, losing just once in their first nine league matches. They were ranked No. 1 in Canada on two separate occasions before injuries derailed Nipissing's quest for an OCAA regional title. The Lakers finished the regular season with a 12-6 record.
Edgecombe and his teammates then kicked it into high gear. After sweeping Seneca on the road in straight sets to secure its berth into the OCAA championship, Nipissing advanced to the OCAA final following straight sets victories over Niagara and defending national champion Humber.
The path to provincial gold was not as easy, however, as the Lakers went back and forth with their Mohawk opponents, testing their mental and physical endurance. With the teams tied at two sets apiece, Nipissing prevailed in the fifth and deciding set to claim its first-ever OCAA title.
Edgecombe was instrumental in the tournament, totaling 42 kills and 49 points in the three victories at provincials, an average of 4.5 points per set. Fittingly, the Nipissing co-captain was named MVP at the championship.
Edgecombe and his Lakers picked up where they left off at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) nationals. The Lakers dropped only one set in three matches at the tournament (fittingly to championship host and OCAA division rival Niagara) as Nipissing justified its No. 1 national rankings from earlier in the season as it celebrated its first-ever national championship.
Edgecombe once again was recognized for his strong play at nationals, being named a championship all-star along with MVP. He totaled 27 kills and 39 points, averaging 3.9 points per set at the tournament.
"Frankie is the ideal student-athlete," praised Nipissing head coach Eric Yung. "He's the top academic achiever on our team, and one of the most humble athletes I've coached, even with all the awards he's won this year. He is well-respected by his teammates and more impressively by his opponents; not only for his talents as a volleyball player, but for his leadership skills, sportsmanship, and class."
Edgecombe was equally as strong off the court as he was on it. He earned All-Academic honours in both the OCAA and CCAA. The fourth-year student-athlete is enrolled in the Bachelor of Physical and Health Education program at Nipissing University.
Nipissing University also recognized Edgecombe as its Al Carfagnini Male Athlete of the Year, as well as the Lakers team MVP. The CCAA recognized Edgecombe as both an all-Canadian and its male athlete of the year across all sports.
Edgecombe is the first Nipissing athlete to be named OCAA male athlete of the year, and the first Laker to earned athlete of the year honours since Megan Stacey was named the OCAA's top female in 2006-07.