National Spotlight: Gratton, Mills, and Paterson Recognized at 2024 U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball All-Canadian Awards

KINGSTON, Ont. – Three Marauders earn national level honours at the U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Awards night hosted by the Queen’s Gaels. Maxime Gratton, Brendan Mills, and Brady Paterson are representing McMaster at the university national level, impressively having one athlete chosen for each of the all-star teams.  

Maxime Gratton, Outside Hitter: U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian 

Fourth Year Maxime Gratton earned himself the honour of being a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian for the first time this year. The 6’2″ player was named the OUA West Rookie of the Year in his first year and earned a spot on the OUA All-Rookie Team. This season, he has played a key role in McMaster’s offense, leading the team in service aces per set (0.54) and being second on the team in kills per set (3.27). In the OUA, Gratton ranked second in hitting percentage (0.365) and second in service aces per set, showcasing his composure and skill. Gratton has won three OUA gold medals and one U SPORTS bronze medal alongside this McMaster team and will hope to put up a strong performance at the rest of the U SPORTS Championships this weekend.  

Brendan Mills, Outside Hitter: U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian 

Third year Brendan Mills was named a U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian after leading McMaster in the regular season for kills per set (3.85) and being second on his team for service aces per set (0.33). The 6’7″ outside hitter has won OUA gold every year of his university career with the Marauders, along with a bronze U SPORTS medal last year. The London local received OUA First Team All-Star recognition this season and was recognized as McMaster’s Player of the Game at the Forsyth Cup. In the OUA, he ranks second in kills per set and total kills (281), proving himself to be a considerable offensive threat.  

Brady Paterson, Outside Hitter: U SPORTS All-Rookie Team 

OUA Rookie of the Year, Brady Paterson, has had a great start to his university career as he earned himself a spot on the U SPORTS All-Rookie Team. The first year has integrated well into the Marauders’ starting line, making 1.81 kills per set in the regular season. The outside hitter has shown incredible composure for his age and shows great potential for a successful university career with McMaster. Paterson won OUA gold in his rookie season alongside his teammates and will hope to gain valuable experience at his first U SPORTS Championship.  
 

U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Award Winners 

Player of the year: Issac Heslinga, Alberta Golden Bears 

Rookie of the year: Piers de Greeff, Trinity Western Spartans 

Dale Iwanoczko Award (student-athlete community service): Scott Mann, UNB Reds 

Fox 40 Coach of the Year: Pat Hennelly, Thompson Rivers Wolfpack 
 

U SPORTS All-Stars 

First Team All-Canadians 

Isaac Heslinga, Alberta Golden Bears 

Jonathan Portelance, Sherbrooke Vert et Or 

Zachary Hollands, Sherbrooke Vert et Or 

Erik Siksna, Queen’s Gaels 

Maxime Gratton, McMaster Marauders 

Chris Byam, Mount Royal Cougars 

Henry Rempel, Trinity Western Spartans 

Second Team All-Canadians 

Nicolas Fortin, Laval Rouge et Or 

Jonathan Girard, Laval Rouge et Or 

Jonathan Pickett, Guelph Gryphons 

Darian Koskie, Windsor Lancers 

Brendan Mills, McMaster Marauders 

Isiah Olfert, Winnipeg Coyotes 

Mason Greves, UBC Thunderbirds 

All-Rookie Team 

Piers de Greeff, Trinity Western Spartans 

Lex Guimond, UNB Reds 

Brady Paterson, McMaster Marauders 

Jack Svendsen, Nipissing Lakers 

Quintin Greenidge, Windsor Lancers 

Grant Hill, Mount Royal Cougars 

Jacob Baird, Saskatchewan Huskies