Erik Siksna named Queen’s University Varsity Teams Men’s Sports Athlete of the Year

KINGSTON, Ont. (March 27, 2024) – Erik Siksna of Queen’s Men’s Volleyball was named the Jenkins Trophy recipient as the Queen’s University Varsity Teams Men’s Sports Athlete of the Year for the 2023-24 season during the 88th annual Colour Awards Wednesday night at the Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC).

The Jenkins Trophy is one of oldest trophies at Queen’s. It was presented first by Thomas Jenkins in 1930 and is awarded annually to a Varsity Team male athlete in his 4th or 5th year who best displays qualities of scholastic achievement, competitiveness, leadership, sportsmanship, dedication and exceptional contributions to his team.

Siksna (Markham, Ont.), who was named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian, the OUA Player of the Year, and an OUA First Team All-Star on Tuesday, led the Gaels in several offensive statistical categories this past season from the outside hitter position. The outside hitter finished the season third in the OUA in hitting percentage at .339, sixth in kills/set at 3.50, and ninth in total kills at 217.

The former OUA and U SPORTS Rookie of the Year, East Division Player of the Year in 2021-22, and now four-time OUA All-Star, Siksna also finished first in the conference in service aces at 52, and service aces per set at 0.84. Siksna also recorded 16 assists, 87 digs, and 24 total blocks in the 2023-24 season.

“Erik has been the top left side attacker in the OUA and one of the top three in the country the last three seasons,” said Queen’s Men’s Volleyball Head Coach Gabriel deGroot. “He had an immediate impact on the Queen’s Men’s Volleyball team as the recipient of the U SPORTS Rookie of the Year, being a top scorer in his first season. Erik is one of the most physically and technically skilled players to ever play for Queen’s.”