FIVE BLUES RECEIVE OUA ACCOLADES

Four Varsity Blues were named all-stars and one was named to the all-rookie team as the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) announced their major award winners and all-stars on Wednesday (Mar. 16).

The Blues played to an 11-1 regular season record and a big reason for their success was third-year left side Evan Falardeau. The Stratford, Ont., product was third in the conference in total points (184.5), fifth in kills per set (3.74) and fifth in service aces (16). Falardeau is the top hitter for the Blues, leading the team in five categories (kills, kills per set, service aces, points, total points) and was named a first team all-star.

Joining Falardeau as an OUA first team all-star is setter Zane Grossinger. In his first year with the Blues, the fourth-year setter finished second in the conference in assists (384) and third in assists per set (9.60). The Richmond Hill, Ont., native previously played for the Queen’s Gaels for three seasons, earning three-all star selections with the Kingston squad.

Another Queen’s transfer, now playing for the Blues, also earned an all-star selection. Outside hitter Mitchell Neuert was selected as an OUA second-team all-star after a strong debut for the Blue and White. Neuert would finish behind Falardeau in four categories (kills, kills per set, points, points per set). The master’s student finished seventh in the OUA in kills per set (3.50) and eighth in points per set (4.1).

Veteran Daniel Tudor earned his first all-star selection being named to the OUA second team on Wednesday. He was previously named an OUA East all-rookie team member in 2017-18. The fourth-year libero provided the Blues with a team-leading 85 digs and 2.02 digs per set, good for 3^rd and 4^th in the conference, respectively.

Showing all the signs for a bright Blues future, rookie outside Hunter Arulpragasm was named to the OUA all-rookie team. The Abbotsford, B.C. product came to the University of Toronto as a highly sought after recruit and did not disappoint. Starting in seven matches, Arulpragasm finished second on the team in blocks (11), fourth in kills (40) and fifth in total points (49).

Award Winners

East Division
Most Valuable Player – Erik Siksna, Queen’s
Rookie of the Year – Jacob Walker, Rams
Coach of the Year – Steve Leknois, RMC
Dale Iwanoczko Award of Merit – Dan Everton, York

West Division
Most Valuable Player – Logan House, Brock
Rookie of the Year – Maxime Gratton, McMaster
Coach of the Year – Dave Preston, McMaster
Dale Iwanoczko Award of Merit – Amit Sayal, Western

All-Stars

East Division
First Team
Erik Siksna, Queen’s
Jackson Young, Nipissing
Zane Grossinger, Toronto
Evan Falardeau, Toronto
Andrew Tauhid, York
Lachlan McBride, Queen’s
Lhexen Rabit, Rams

Second Team
Mitchell Neuert, Toronto
Lukas Kaufman, Queen’s
Michael Rowsell, RMC
Tyrus Cuculick, Nipissing
Saad Shaikh, Rams
Cole Duncanson, Queen’s
Daniel Tudor, Toronto

All-Rookies
Jacob Walker, Rams
Cole Duncanson, Queen’s
Jasraj Nijjar, York
Hunter Arulpragasam, Toronto
Thomas Wrigley, Nipissing
Lucas Yang, Rams
Adam Reid, RMC

West Division
First Team
Logan House, Brock
Sam Cooper, McMaster
Jonathan Pickett, Guelph
Jackson Bere, Western
Jordan Pereira, McMaster
Liam MacArthur, Waterloo
Steven Abrams, Windsor

Second Team
Mateusz Wlodarski, McMaster
Grant Reddon, Brock
Colm Guyn, Waterloo
Dami Alalade, Windsor
Wojtek Kraj, McMaster
Josiah Esau, Western
Ben Kissack, Guelph

All-Rookies
Maxime Gratton, McMaster
Liam MacArthur, Waterloo
Robbie Fujisawa, McMaster
Jonah Millard, Western
Gustavo Siqueira, Windsor
Jacob Ferland, Brock
Joshua Glasbergen, Guelph