Panda Abby Guezen named U SPORTS Rookie of the Year

Raya Surinx of the Manitoba Bisons has been named the winner of the Mary Lyons Award as the player of the year in U SPORTS women’s volleyball. The announcement was made on Thursday night at the All-Canadian Award Ceremony in Hamilton, site of the 2024 championship tournament.
 
Other major award winners include Abby Guezen of Alberta, who won the Mark Tennant as rookie of the year; Madison Hann of Saskatchewan, who took home the Thérèse Quigley award (student-athlete community service); and Michelle Wood of Acadia, who won the Marilyn Pomfret Award as the Fox40 Coach of the Year.
 
The 2024 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship gets underway on Friday at the Burridge Gym on the McMaster University campus. Play continues through to the gold medal game, which is set for 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Mark Tennant Award (rookie of the year): Abby Guezen, Alberta

Making a profound impact in leading the young Alberta Pandas to an 18-6 record, first-year outside Abby Guezen has been named the winner of the Mark Tennant award as the U SPORTS Rookie of the Year. Guezen finished her debut season with 184 kills, 122 digs, 27 blocks and 218.0 points. Her 2.97 kills per set ranked 10th in Canada West, which was far and away the best by any rookie in 2023/24.
 
Her 184 kills were third on the Pandas, with her 2.97 kills per set ranking second only to second team All-Canadian Lauryn Tremblay’s 3.32. Guezen played a large role in the Pandas’ eight-game improvement from the year before and fifth-place finish in Canada West.
 
Guezen is the third Panda to win the Mark Tennant Award, following Kelci French (2009) and Jenny Cartmell (1996).

Other nominees: Talia Nixon (UNB), Britanie Maranda (Sherbrooke), Olivia Julien (McMaster)