The Nipissing Lakers men’s volleyball team turned a late season push into an OUA Playoff play-in game victory and another appearance in the post-season.
And on top of the team success, the Lakers had four OUA All-Stars, as Trent O’Brien was named a First Team All-Star, Tyrus Cuculick was a Second Team All-Star and Jack Svendsen and Justice Smith both earned All-Rookie Team nods.
The four were catalysts for the Lakers offence, all sitting high in various OUA offensive categories rankings.
This season was the fourth straight year the Lakers qualified for the OUA post-season.
Trent O’Brien
The second-year middle provide stability for the Lakers and had an impressive season offensively, posting 142 kills and 217.5 points.
He averaged 3.0 points per set as well as leading the OUA total block with 62 in 20 matches.
He reached double digits in kills five times, with his season-high coming against TMU, where he grabbed 13.
There were only two games where he didn’t record an official block, with a high of eight coming in the second last match of the season.
O’Brien also sits tied for fifth in service aces, with 25.
Tyrus Cuculick
The talented outside hitter had another strong season, earning 174 kills, putting him 14 th in the league.
He also put up 211 points, averaging 3.0 points per set, both good for second on the Lakers and cracking the top 20 league-wide.
The Sudbury, ON product had 11 matches of at least 10 kills, hitting a season-high 17 against the league-leading McMaster Marauders.
Cucklick has increased his kills and points each year with the Lakers and now has 432 in his career.
Jack Svendsen
The first-year setter had an outstanding season, pacing the Lakers offence.
He ranked third in the OUA with 669 assists and assists per set, averaging 9.42.
Throughout the season, only once did Svendsen not record at least 10 assists and it was a match where he was subbed out early.
His season-high came against Western where he recorded 51 assists and totalled 93 that weekend in London.
Suiting up in all 20 matches and playing 71 sets, Svendsen also added 30 points on the season.
Justice Smith
In his first year, Smith earned 204 kills as well as 239.5 points, both good for 12th in the OUA and first on his team.
His 3.6 points per set was also 12th, as Smith hit the double-digit mark in kills 12 times, recording a season-high against Western where he grabbed 18 kills.
Prior to Christmas, Smith picked up 10 kills in seven straight matches.
He ended the season leading the team in kills, points, points per set and kills per set.
Smith was also second in digs and total blocks, rounding out his strong campaign.
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