The defending champ Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) Blazers continue to roll with three weeks now left in the 2022-23 Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC) men’s volleyball season. Third year player middle Josh Werbiski was efficient on offence and contributed on defence in a home weekend sweep for the week ending on Jan. 29, 2023.
To begin the weekend, the Brandon, MB native had four kills on a high .667 hitting efficiency and added four digs, one service ace and block in a three set match win over Assiniboine Community College (ACC) Cougars on Jan. 27. Werbiski had another strong performance the next afternoon with eight kills on another high hitting efficiency of .727, a match high. He also notched eight blocks, three total blocks and a service ace in a three set sweep of ACC while CMU had some starters out of the line-up.
CMU’s head coach Don Dulder commented, “Josh is a team captain and team leader. He has worked very hard to become a very good middle. The quick tempo of his attack in coordination with the setter has made it difficult for opposing blockers. Probably the biggest improvement is his reading when blocking which takes hitters out of their comfort zone. He game plans well, has an excellent work ethic and leads by example.”
The Blazers remain atop the conference standings with a 12-2 record, winners of four of the last five matches plus also ranked number ten in the latest Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national rankings.
CMU and the Biology student-athlete host second place Providence University College (PUC) Pilots on Friday, February 3 with start time of 6 p.m. CT.
MCAC Athlete of the Week winners for 2022-23 season
Week 1 (ending Sept. 11, 2022)
WSOC: Sara Boissonneault – USB
MSOC: Jordi Haskerkehrer – USB
Week 2 (ending Sept. 18, 2022)
WSOC: Kendra Mansoff – ACC
MSOC: Camilo Rodriguez – BU
Week 3 (ending Sept. 25, 2022)
WSOC: Tara Boulanger – USB
MSOC: Johnathan Kohan – BU
Week 4 (ending Oct. 2, 2022)
WSOC: Ava Temple – PUC
MSOC: Matheus Souza – BU
Week 5 (ending Oct. 9, 2022)
WSOC: Tiegan Kroeker – CMU
MSOC: Kevin Lopez – ACC
Week 6 (ending Oct. 16, 2022)
WSOC: Kalyna Démaré – USB
MSOC: Garreth Rayner – PUC
Week 7 (ending Oct. 23, 2022)
WSOC: Katie Moniot – USB
MSOC: Sean Kirkpatrick – PUC
Week 8 (ending Oct. 30, 2022)
WSOC: Marijka Yaschyshyn – USB
MSOC: Ayman Soussi – USB
Week 9 (ending Nov. 6, 2022)
WVB: Angéline Ritchot – USB
MVB: Vaughn Zimmer – ACC
Week 10 (ending Nov. 13, 2022)
WVB: Valeria Gonzalez – USB
MVB: Albert Francisco – CMU
Week 11 (ending Nov. 20, 2022)
WBB: Briana Ehrmantraut – CMU
MVB: Noah Boschman – PUC
Week 12 (ending Nov. 27, 2022)
WVB: Tyra Peters – PUC
MVB: Sebastian Verdaguer – PUC
Week 13 (ending Dec. 4, 2022)
WVB: Paige Wright – CMU
MVB: Cameron Gayleard – CMU
Week 14 (ending Jan. 15, 2023)
WVB: Layla Reichert – CMU
MBB: Daniel Cameron – CMU
Week 15 (ending Jan. 22, 2023)
WVB: Amanda Bergen – PUC
MFUT: Abdoul Niangadou – USB
Week 16 (ending Jan. 29, 2023)
WVB: Elle Snyder – ACC
MVB: Josh Werbiski – CMU
