Kai Boyko, Owen Weekes named to Team Canada U21 Men’s National Team

Volleyball Canada announced their U21 roster this week that will represent the red and white in Mexico as part of the NORCECA Championship in June. First-year Bison Kai Boyko and incoming blue chip recruit Owen Weekes both earned selections.

Boyko has previous experience with the national team, having taken part in the National Excellence Program, where he lived and trained in Quebec for four months. As a rookie at Manitoba, Boyko played in 16 matches and 37 sets, finishing sixth on the team with 35 digs and fourth on the team with just eight reception errors (minimum 16 matches). He recorded a career-high six kills in three different matches, and had 34 overall.

The 6’7″ Weekes is the No. 1 ranked high school volleyball player in the province. He was the tournament MVP during MSHAA 4A provincials, helping the Vincent Massey Trojans cap off a 49-0 season, and their first provincial 4A championship. He averaged 15 kills pet five-set match during the season, earning MHSAA Player of the Year honours along the way.

Weekes has a spike touch of 11’9 and was also the 17U Male Player of the Year, Grade 11 Athlete of the Year, was on the High School All-Manitoba Team and won the Fan’s Choice Graduating All-Star Award.

“I am very excited for Owen and Kai. It is a huge accomplishment to represent Canada,” said head coach Arnd ‘Lupo’ Ludwig.

“Both are outstanding athletes and have achieved a lot in their young careers. It speaks volumes for our Junior Bisons program and the great work of our coaches who develop these young players.”