The Okanagan Lakers women’s and men’s volleyball teams won bronze medals Saturday afternoon at the B.C. Colleges’ Athletic Association (BCCAA) provincial volleyball championships in Abbotsford.
The women’s team defeated New Westminster’s Douglas College 3-1. The Laker men defeated the host Columbia Bible College (CBC) Bearcats, fighting back from a two-set deficit to take the bronze medal. Lakers Sheila McNee and Chad Hunter were selected to the Championship Tournament All-Star team.
Four Lakers were named to the BCCAA All-Star teams, recognizing their outstanding performances throughout the year. On the men’s side, Okanagan Mission Secondary (OKM) grad and third-year power hitter Jeff Cundy was selected for the Provincial All-Star team.
For the women, second-year power hitter Sheila McNee (Rutland Secondary School grad), third-year power hitter Tammy Thomas (Penticton High grad), and second-year middle blocker Marissa Field (Kelowna Secondary School grad) were named to the Provincial All-Star team. Field was also one of only two student athletes from B.C. selected for the Canadian Colleges’ Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Canadian Team.
“Our women’s and men’s volleyball teams have achieved a great deal this year. Finishing the B.C. Colleges’ Athletic Association season in 2nd and 5th place, respectively, these teams display enormous talent and drive every time they’re on the court,” says Rob Johnson, Director of Athletics and Recreation at UBC Okanagan.
“They faced various challenges and came through at the conclusion of the year with very strong finishes. On top of great team performance it is wonderful to see that four of our most exceptional student-athletes are being recognized with various provincial and national All-Star team selection.”
Okanagan Lakers women’s volleyball head coach Steve Manuel was also selected as a nominee for the 2006 Women’s Volleyball Coaching Excellence Award.
Women’s Basketball Lakers Off to Provincial Tourney
The Lakers women’s basketball team heads for Nanaimo this Wednesday to compete in the BCCAA Provincial Basketball Championships. Finishing second in league play, the women have a bye in the first round, and will play the winner of #4 Capilano College (North Vancouver) and #5 Kwantlen University College (Surrey).
Okanagan Lakers varsity teams include student athletes from both Okanagan College and UBC Okanagan.
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