Theanna Vernon, Volleyball, Ryerson

BURLINGTON, Ont. – Theanna Vernon has been named Investors Group Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Female Athlete of the Week, powered by 2XU, for the period ending March 20, 2018.

Female Athlete of the Week – Theanna Vernon (Scarborough, Ont.) – 4^th Year – Ryerson Rams

There was plenty to celebrate for Theanna Vernon at the U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship this weekend, and her standout efforts in the Ryerson Rams’ title-winning performance have earned her OUA Female Athlete of the Week honours.

The Scarborough, Ont. native made the most of the Rams’ third trip to nationals, as the team captain stood tall in the middle to anchor a potent Ryerson attack, steady a stout defensive presence, and buoy the team’s overall push toward an undefeated season. All in all, the middle blocker, who was also named an All-Canadian prior to the start of the event, helped her team win the first ever national banner in school history.

To start the weekend, the Rams battled UBC Okanagan in quarterfinal play – a match in which the OUA champions had to come back from two sets down – and Vernon kicked off her championship quest strong. She tallied 16 points (10 kills, 10 blocks) in the win before offering up a similar performance in the team’s semifinal match. Vernon once again connected on 10 kills and registered 10 blocks, totaling 17.5 points for the match to help the Rams down the No. 1 seeded uCalgary Dinos.

Vernon saved her best for last; however, as she registered 11 kills and 13 blocks in the championship win over Alberta, rounding out her outstanding showing with 17.5 points in the finale. Her impressive totals and unbreakable consistency helped the fourth year star earn MVP honours for the tournament, and was a significant part of Ryerson’s historic performance on the national stage.