OCAA STARS OF THE WEEK

TORONTO - The following student-athletes have been recognized by the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) for their accomplishments during the seven-day period ending Sunday, Jan. 12.

Student-athletes are nominated by their respective athletic departments.

Adrian Aluyi
School: Humber
Program: Massage Therapy
Year of Eligibility: 3
Sport: Basketball
Hometown: Toronto, Ont.
Aluyi had a big weekend for Humber, helping the Hawks open 2025 with two road victories. In a battle of the two top teams in the West Division on Jan. 12, the third-year small forward recorded a double-double, setting new career highs with 18 points and 14 rebounds in Humber's 94-86 double overtime victory over the St. Clair Saints. Aluyi was a force on both sides of the ball, scoring six of Humber's eight points in the second overtime, while grabbing two boards and blocking a shot. The Hawks remain undefeated at 12-0.

Natasha Lauzon
School: Algonquin
Program: Social Service Worker
Year of Eligibility: 4
Sport: Volleyball
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
The Algonquin Wolves hosted the Maverick Volleyball Club on Jan. 10 for their annual Mavs Appreciation Night, where over 300 athletes, parents and coaches created an electric atmosphere for their first matches of the semester. Lauzon, a former Mavs player, was critical in Algonquin's straight-sets win over the Canadore Panthers, tallying 17 kills with a .481 hitting percentage, six service aces and one stuff block for a career-best 24 points. The Wolves have already matched last season's total of nine wins with six matches remaining.

Kaarina Niemimaa
School: George Brown
Program: Interpretation (American Sign Language - English)
Year of Eligibility: 3
Sport: Volleyball
Hometown: Pickering, Ont.
Niemimaa matched a career-high with 16 points for the second time this season, tallying 14 kills and two service aces in a four-set victory over the Georgian Grizzlies in a road match on Jan. 8. The third-year outside hitter's 14 kills were also a career-best. Niemimaa is averaging 2.38 kills and 2.9 points per set through a dozen matches. Niemimaa and the Huskies are at home this weekend hosting the Algonquin Wolves and La Cité Coyotes in back-to-back meetings as George Brown looks to improve on its 5-7 record.

Steven Okoroafor
School: Fanshawe
Program: Business - Marketing
Year of Eligibility: 2
Sport: Basketball
Hometown: Burlington, Ont.
Okoroafor played a key role in leading the Fanshawe Falcons to two consecutive victories this week. On Jan. 9 against the Redeemer Royals, the second-year guard delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 31 points on 12-of-22 (54.5 per cent) shooting to help the Falcons secure a narrow 74-73 victory. Okoroafor's strong play continued on Jan. 11 with a 19-point, five-rebound effort, contributing significantly to a dominant 91-67 win against the Canadore Panthers. Okoroafor's previous season-best for points was 16.

Montanna Taylor
School: Niagara
Program: Business
Year of Eligibility: 5
Sport: Volleyball
Hometown: St. Catharines, Ont.
Taylor has been a leader for Niagara all season. Posting a stat line of 13 points on six kills, 23 assists, 19 digs and seven blocks, the fifth-year student-athlete propelled the Knights to a 3-1 win over Mohawk on Jan. 11. Taylor currently sits ninth in the OCAA in assists, 10th in assists per set and 35th in total points with 102 as a setter. The win was important in the battle for playoff positioning as Niagara avenged a four-set loss to Mohawk last semester. The Knights are currently in third place in the West Division with a 8-4 record.

Ryan Vriezema
School: Georgian
Program: Carpentry & Renovation Techniques
Year of Eligibility: 3
Sport: Volleyball
Hometown: Midhurst, Ont.
In Georgian's five-set victory against George Brown on Jan. 8, Vriezema delivered a commanding 19 kills with a .429 hitting percentage, contributing 20 points and nine digs. The third-year outside hitter followed this up with another stellar performance on Jan. 11 in a four-set win over Loyalist, recording nine kills, a .348 hitting percentage, 13 points and six digs. Vriezema's consistent offensive dominance and defensive reliability were key to Georgian's success, helping lead the Grizzlies to an Eastern Division-best 12-1 record.

- OCAA -

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Josh Bell-Webster
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Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
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E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com