Yevgeniya Lytvynenko of the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners is the 2022 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year.
In addition, Lytvynenko was one of 12 players who have been named 2022 CCAA Women’s Volleyball All-Canadians. See the full list below.
The student-athletes were honoured at the 2022 CCAA Women’s Volleyball National Championship, hosted by Holland College in Charlottetown, PEI.
“Yevgeniya is a physical player who, with a quiet confidence, dominates at the net both offensively and defensively,” said Beth Clark, CCAA Women’s Volleyball Convenor. “She is well deserving of this award and I’m looking forward to seeing her perform at this year’s CCAA Championship.”
Lytvynenko, a native of Ukraine, led the Mariners to a 13-2 record this season and a tie atop the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) standings. She is a low-key leader whose performance does the talking.
Most poignantly, as the Conference Championships got underway, Lytvynenko’s family back home was in immediate danger as her home country was invaded.
“Her fortitude to choose to play in the provincial semi-final was an inspirational rallying point for her teammates, and the conference-wide support from teammates and opponents alike since then perfectly illustrates the camaraderie that exists in collegiate athletics,” said Matt Carter, Communications & Sports Information Coordinator at VIU.
Lytvynenko, the third year outside hitter, was the most dominant offensive performer in the PACWEST this season. She led the conference with 4.59 points per set and 3.76 kills per set. At 6-foot-4, Lytvynenko can elevate above most blockers as an outside hitter and deliver momentum-swinging kills at any moment in a game. She also finished in the Top 10 for blocks and digs, ensuring that she could make an impact on every play in every game.
Another positive element of Lytvynenko’s low-key on-court personality is that she is never fazed by any opposition plays. This sense of being grounded and in control helps keep her teammates at ease throughout any difficult matchups.
In 2021, Lytvynenko ran the Mariners’ Summer Volleyball camps in Nanaimo, BC and provided instruction at Youth Beach Volleyball camps in Parksville, BC.
The CCAA Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year receives a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of the CCAA.
2022 CCAA Women’s Volleyball All-Canadians
