March 3, 2020

Veteran pair of electrifying outside hitters heralded among OUA award recipients

Burlington, Ont. (by David DiCenzo) – They are individuals who are among the most elite athletes in Canadian university sports. And their talents often extend well beyond the court. Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is pleased to announce the 2019-2020 men’s volleyball award winners and all-stars, an impressive group highlighted by a trio veteran standouts, two impact newcomers, and a pair of coaches who have helped advance the game with their leadership and approach.

Player of the Year (East) – Zac Hutcheson, Queen’s Gaels

The defending OUA champion Queen’s Gaels got off to a strange start this season, dropping their first two matches to the York Lions and Nipissing Lakers, while only taking a single set. One thing immediately became clear – the Gaels are a much better team when Zac Hutcheson (Kingston, Ont.) is in the lineup. The sensational fifth-year outside hitter was out the first few games of the season with an injury, but the inevitable Queen’s reset seemed to coincide with his return. Hutcheson was able to raise his level of play one year after earning OUA first team all-star honours. The Engineering student was a clinical finisher up front, producing the second-best hitting percentage in the conference at .365 and registering 3.29 kills per set, which ranked him seventh overall among all OUA players. Hutcheson was also a weapon in the service game, ending the regular season ninth in aces per set at 0.36. Despite missing matches early, he still racked up 221.5 total points, which put him seventh in the league in that telling category. Numbers aside, Hutcheson has an undeniable impact on the Gaels because of his willingness to sacrifice and set an example for his teammates. It’s no surprise that he manufactured one of his biggest performances of last season with the Forsyth Cup on the line. It may have taken him a few games to get back into the lineup, but when he did, Hutcheson carried the experience of a championship year with him in reaching new heights throughout the 2019-20 campaign.

Dale Iwanoczko Award of Merit (East) – Zac Hutcheson, Queen’s Gaels

The Gaels’ veteran isn’t just an MVP on the court. Hutcheson takes his role in the Kingston community and his academics seriously as well, which is why his name is on the Dale Iwanoczko Award for the second consecutive year. Young volleyball players around Kingston have likely heard of Hutcheson. He has spent the last few years as a volunteer coach with the Pegasus Volleyball Club U18 boys and has also offered his expertise in the sport at both Molly Brant Elementary School and Mother Teresa Elementary. In addition to those coaching duties, Hutcheson has also worked on introducing a summer development camp in the area so young players can hone their skills on a year-round basis. As is the case on the court, there is little room for error in the classroom as an Engineering student and Hutcheson has maintained an excellent academic record. He is a former Academic All-Canadian and has been a Dean’s Scholar on multiple occasions, while also being awarded the Principal’s Scholarship in his first two years at the university.

Rookie of the Year (East) – Erik Siksna, Queen’s Gaels

As Hutcheson prepares to wrap up his time with the Tricolour, another is just beginning, and in doing so, could have understandably felt some pressure joining a championship-calibre team as a young athlete. But Erik Siksna (Markham, Ont.) wasn’t fazed in the slightest. The towering 6’5” outside hitter from St. Augustine HS enjoyed an incredible first year with the reigning OUA champions Gaels. Siksna had little trouble adjusting to the pace and high level of OUA volleyball and the numbers proved that. The School of Business student ranked ninth in the conference in points (201.5) and 10th in kills (164), but was able to produce those stats while maintaining an efficient .294 hitting percentage (fourth in the OUA). Siksna also brings an elite service game to the table and he wound up ranking fourth in the league with 24 aces and fifth in aces per set at 0.41. He was a former recipient of the Ken Davis Memorial Award handed out by Ontario Volleyball to a male player 18 or under for their on-court accomplishments and work in the community, as well as member of Canadian youth national teams. And if his first year at the OUA level is any indication, there will be much more hardware to come.

Coach of the Year (East) – John Barrett, Toronto Varsity Blues

While the Gaels were able to top the division ranks a year ago, a new group has risen to the top of the charts in 2019-20, in no small part thanks to the East Division’s Coach of the Year. John Barrett led the Toronto Varsity Blues to the OUA’s best record this season, dropping only one match along the way. A former standout on the court himself, the U of T bench boss made the most of his ninth season at the helm of the 17-win Blues. Seeing a trio of players earn all-star honours, as well as one all-rookie nod, the veteran coach had his squad performing like a well-oiled machine this season. Barrett’s bunch ranked first in the conference in total kills (797), assists (744), and digs (663), showing a propensity to thrive in just about every aspect of the game. And after falling to perennial powerhouse McMaster in their fifth game of the season, the former CIS gold medalist and tournament MVP had his club finish off the regular season by reeling off 13 straight wins and earn a consistent spot among the nation’s top 10 teams.

Player of the Year (West) – Pierce Johnson, Windsor Lancers

Pierce Johnson (Chatham, Ont.) has been on the ascent in the last few years. The dynamic 6’4” outside hitter and inspirational Lancer leader put it all together in a memorable fourth year of OUA competition. Johnson is no stranger to provincial awards, beginning with a well-earned All-Rookie Team selection back in the 2016-17 season. He followed that up with back-to-back OUA first team all-star honours, including a spot among the U SPORTS second team All-Canadians as a junior. This season, Johnson stood out among a talented crop in the conference’s deep West division. The Liberal Arts student was a terror on most nights, racking up 196 total kills on the year, which ranked fourth in the OUA. But Johnson brought much more to his Windsor team than just power. He is among the most versatile players in the league, showing an ability to serve (22 aces), defend (35 blocks and 76 digs), and produce points at a high rate (239, ranking him fourth in the conference). Johnson, who is also the reigning Lancer Male Athlete of the Year, gained tremendous experience from stints with Canada’s Summer Universiade team in both 2017 and 2019. And after a few consecutive seasons of constant improvement, he now finds himself grouped among the very best players in the country.

Rookie of the Year (West) – Jonathan Pickett, Guelph Gryphons

There’s a youth movement with the Guelph Gryphons men’s volleyball team and no player better exemplifies that trend than Jonathan Pickett (Wiarton, Ont.). Guelph’s standout first-year player made a massive impact on a team that enjoyed a strong regular season before earning a coveted berth in the Final Four. Pickett stands at 6’5” and was an immediate presence on the Gryphon left side, registering 146 kills, which ranked 14^th among all OUA players and second on Guelph behind only teammate Zarko Ubiparip. He also chipped in 60 digs and 25 total blocks, 14 of which were solo efforts. Pickett is the first Gryphon player to receive the conference’s West Rookie of the Year award since Chris Simek back in 2003.

Coach of the Year (West) – Dave Preston, McMaster Marauders

Building an athletic dynasty requires the most specific attention to detail. Sustained success is difficult to achieve but under the direction of Chatham, Ont. native and current Hamilton resident Dave Preston, the McMaster Marauders have evolved into one of the most dominant U SPORTS programs in the country. Preston has been at the helm for nine Forsyth Cup victories, including six straight OUA championship wins from the 2012-13 to 2017-18 seasons. McMaster didn’t make it to the winner’s circle last year but unsurprisingly, Preston has led the team back to Final Four with a mouth-watering opportunity to earn his 10th provincial banner, in the Marauders’ home gym, no less. McMaster re-established itself as the program to beat this year, finishing the regular season with an impressive 15-2 record en route to the No. 5 national ranking heading into the Forsyth Cup. Preston’s squad enjoyed a near-flawless 13-match win streak, and incredibly dropped just four sets throughout that run. The team hit a new level of dominance as 10 of McMaster’s 15 wins came in straight sets. Preston is among the best coaches at the university level in any sport, sweeping the OUA and U SPORTS Coach of the Year honours in 2007-08, 2012-13, and 2014-15. This is his third OUA West Coach of the Year award in the past four seasons since the new division alignment was introduced, with McMaster finishing atop the West in each of those four years.

Dale Iwanoczko Award of Merit (West) – Jordan Pereira, McMaster Marauders

The Marauders one of the truly elite teams on the court, but while the success therein is invaluable, that prowess doesn’t stop when they leave the gym. Success on the court has come early and often for Jordan Pereira (St. Catharines, Ont.), as the fourth-year McMaster libero has already been a part of two championship squads in his Marauder tenure. Within these runs, he has displayed obvious determination in a crucial position where he racked up 1.94 digs per set (sixth best in the league this year). The Commerce student, who is a three-time Academic All-Canadian and Marauder Scholar recipient, has built on those experiences to try and return the favour to a team that’s meant so much to him as both an athlete and citizen. An important component of McMaster’s leadership circle, the former All-Rookie Team member also contributes in his work with McMaster Athletes Care, his volunteer role of volunteer assistant coach with a local volleyball club, and his running of summer volleyball programs for Eden H.S.

Alongside these talented award winners are several additional standouts who turned their respective seasons into conference recognition, the complete list of which is below.

Major Award Winners

East Division

Player of the Year – Zac Hutcheson, Queen’s

Rookie of the Year – Erik Siksna, Queen’s

Dale Iwanoczko Award of Merit – Zac Hutcheson, Queen’s

Coach of the Year – John Barrett, Toronto

West Division

Player of the Year – Pierce Johnson, Windsor

Rookie of the Year – Jonathan Pickett, Guelph

Dale Iwanoczko Award of Merit – Jordan Pereira, McMaster

Coach of the Year – Dave Preston, McMaster

First Team All-Stars (East)