By: Alex Quevillon
Following a 2012-13 Ontario Collegiate Athletic Association volleyball campaign that saw a 24-point, fifth-place finish from Algonquin’s women’s team and an East Division title for the men’s squad, four Thunder players have now picked up personal accolades as well.
On the men’s side, left side Phil Yeldon was named to the division’s First-Team All-Stars, while middle blocker Ian McAlpine was named to the second team.
For a men’s team that fell short at provincials with a fifth-place finish, the personal accomplishments added a nice touch to finish the year.
“I was in the top of the league in some statistics and had an idea that I could be an all-star,” said McAlpine. “It’s a big honour because the award is coach-voted, so it’s nice to see that other coaches recognized me.”
“It’s the second year in a row that we’ve won the division, which is fine and dandy, but we had goals to go to the national championships, and we fell short of that.”
Yeldon was also crowned East Division scoring leader, men’s player of the year and was one of the Canadian national men’s All-Canadians.
“I was pretty shocked, it hadn’t really sunk in until a couple hours after the awards ceremony,” said Yeldon of his numerous awards. “I was happy, I knew I had a good year statistically, and I was honoured to be voted in.
Meanwhile for the women, a pair of middles picked up individual hardware. Alix Burkhart was named divisional women’s rookie of the year and Breann Wheeler joined the First-Team All-Stars.
“All the training I did this year and the efforts that I was able to put out, this has been a highlight of my volleyball career,” said Burkhart.
All-Star festivities will be held March 14-16 at Sheridan College in Oakville. The four players, along with women’s coach Everton Senior, have been invited to the event.
“I’m really looking forward to the all-star experience, it should be fun,” added Yeldon.