With the OCAA Women’s Volleyball Championships set to get underway in Etobicoke today at Humber College from February 23-25, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is pleased to announce the 2005-06 all-stars and major award winners. The top players in the league were awarded for their hard work and year round achievements at the championships awards banquet that took place this morning.

Megan Stacey of the Nipissing Lakers collected top honours as she was named OCAA Player of the Year for the third year in a row and a CCAA All-Canadian. Stacey, a 6’1” third year middle from North Bay, has raised the bar for OCAA volleyball players in her three-year career. This year, Megan furthered her attack on the record books, setting the new record for most career points (828) and the record for most career kills (670). The Lakers finished the regular season with a 12-2 record giving the team second place in the Central West division. The Lakers are currently ranked second in the province and eighth in the country, which is the highest ever National ranking for a Nipissing volleyball team. For the past three seasons Megan has won the OCAA scoring title, been named OCAA Female Volleyball Player of the Year, and twice been named CCAA All-Canadian.

“Megan is one of the most gifted athletes I have ever coached,” said Nipissing Lakers head coach Marc LaRochelle. “Megan has tremendous court vision which allows her to find ways to score when she is double or triple blocked. Megan has also worked hard on her defensive game and this has allowed her to become a threat in the back court”.

Trent’s Becki Rodin of Peterborough was also recognized as a CCAA All-Canadian. The fourth year setter received the 1st Team All Star nod this year and was named to the 2nd Team in 2004-05. Becki helped lead her team to a second place finish in the East with a 8-5 record, but unfortunately lost out in a playoff qualifying game and will not be at the Provincial Championships.

Fanshawe rookie Katie Seys of London was a big contributor to the Falcons this season leading her team with 3.7 PPG and finished second in the West region scoring race, which helped her win OCAA Rookie of the Year honours. Katie helped lead her Fanshawe squad to an 11-4 record this season earning them the West region title and a bye to the provincial championships.

Frank Sulatycki of the Seneca Sting and Chris Wilkins of the Humber Hawks both earned OCAA Coach of the Year honours for their respective regions. Frank led his Sting to a 9-4 record this season, capturing third place in the Central East and overpowered the Niagara Knights in a 3-1 upset in a qualifying game to make it to the Championships. Central West region champion, the Humber Hawks were led by bench boss Chris Wilkins. Chris led his Humber team to the only undefeated record in the league at 14-0, earning them a bye to the provincial championships. For his efforts, Chris has also been nominated as the CCAA Coach of the Year Nominee.

All matches at the 2006 Women’s Volleyball Championships are taking place at Humber College, Etobicoke. For complete tournament information including game times and results visit the Championship Host Site.


MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
OCAA Player of the Year – Megan Stacey, Nipissing
Rookie of the Year – Katie Seys - Fanshawe
CCAA All-Canadian – Becki Rodin, Trent
CCAA All-Canadian – Megan Stacey, Nipissing
OCAA East Coach of the Year – Frank Sulatycki, Seneca
OCAA West Coach of the Year & CCAA Coach of the Year Nominee – Chris Wilkins, Humber

REGIONAL SCORING CHAMPION:
East: Laura Lynch – Trent (3.82 PPG)
Central East: Kim Ward-Paige – Georgian (4.90 PPG)
Central West: Megan Stacey – Nipissing (4.98 PPG)
West: Heidi Bench – Niagara (4.00 PPG)

Central East / East
ALL-STARS FIRST TEAM
Kristen Conner, Durham
Dominique Dawes, Loyalist
Laura Lynch, Trent
Melissa Morden, Seneca
Becki Rodin, Trent
Cheryl Silva, Durham
Kim Ward-Paige, Georgian

Central East / East
ALL-STARS SECOND TEAM
Ashlie Cormack, Algonquin
Laura Fowler, Cambrian
Sarah Hazlewood, Algonquin
Janet Littlejohn, Durham
Ashley Matier, Cambrian
Josie Naccarato, Seneca
Paria Pishva, Seneca

Central West / West
ALL-STARS FIRST TEAM
Heidi Bench, Niagara
Alison Lammers, Redeemer
Perfection Powell, Humber
Katie Seys, Fanshawe
Megan Stacey, Nipissing
Alex Steplock, Humber
Tracey Stege, Mohawk

Central West / West
ALL-STARS SECOND TEAM
Jolande Amoraal, Humber
Amanda Arlette, Humber
Jaclyn Archer, Mohawk
Dana Carter, St. Clair
Janette Jakubiec, Mohawk
Kim Roach, Niagara
Risha Toney, Humber


The OCAA governs intercollegiate sports and promotes physical activity in its member institutions through quality athletic and campus recreation programs. It offers 16 varsity sports to 30 member institutions throughout Ontario.

-30-

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Michelle Waddick
OCAA Marketing & Communications
P: (416) 426-7043
W: www.ocaa.com