The Brock Badgers women’s volleyball was well represented as Ontario University Athletics (OUA) gave out their major award winners and all-star selections on Monday, March 4.
Headlining the accolades is fifth-year setter Sara Rohr. The Milton product earned OUA Co-Player of the Year and a First-Team All-Star Selection. She finished second in the country and first in the province in assists per set with 10.9 and on top of the OUA in total assists with 643. With Rohr at the helm, the Badgers were second in the province with a .253 hitting percentage.
Rohr adds more hardware to her already packed trophy case having earned OUA First Team All-Star nods the previous two seasons. On Feb. 16 against the Waterloo Warriors, she set a new program record in career assists with over 2,475, besting the mark previously set by Ally Fast (2007-2011).
“Sara has been one of the best setters in the country for the past three years,” said head coach Steve Delaney. “She has been a leader on our team and was voted captain. Sara is a big reason for our success.”
Joining Rohr on the first team is outside hitter Emily Foest and middle Gigi Markotic, who both earn their first all-star selections.
Foest has been a solid presence on the outside all year for the Badgers, delivering 205 kills and 2.97 kills per set (K/S) in the regular season, placing sixth and eighth in the province in those respective categories. The junior outside hitter led the Badgers with 24 service aces and finished second on the team with 182 digs.
“She has come a long way and has developed a lot of shots in her tool belt to become one of the top attackers in the province,” Delaney said about Foest. “It’s easy for someone who is always starting to get complacent and not get better, but that’s not Emily, she is always trying to improve.”
In her first year as a full-time starter, Markotic shined in the middle. Her .329 hitting percentage was second in the province among all qualified hitters, speaking to her efficiency as an attacker. Markotic also provided strong work as a blocker as well, leading the team with 44.
“Gigi has been thrown to any position we need her in,” Delaney remarked. “It hasn’t been easy for her, but she has persevered and overcome challenges along the way and has become a key piece of our team.”
For the third consecutive year, Sadie Dick has earned provincial recognition. The local St. Catharines native was named an OUA All-Rookie Team selection and Second Team All-Star in her first season with the Badgers in 2020-21. and was given a First Team All-Star nod the next year.
This season, Dick takes home a Second Team All-Star selection after posting 3.4 PTS/S and 2.80 K/S, finishing eighth and 11th, respectively, in the province. On top of that, she placed second on the team in blocks with 40.
“She is an offensive threat and an intimidating blocker who carries a big load for us,” said Delaney. “One of the biggest things she brings to our team is her leadership. She always leads by example and was voted as a captain by the team.”
Rounding out the recognition is first-year middle Emma Barauchelli, who made an appearance on the OUA All-Rookie Team. Coming to the Badgers from Italy, Barauchelli has played in 36 sets in the regular season, registering a .330 hitting percentage and 2.2 P/S.
“Emma is a fierce attacker in the middle, and she has got quick feet so we can run her in different scenarios,” Delaney added. “Coming in as a rookie, she got some decent playing time this year, and as she continues to develop, she is only going to get better.”
The complete list of 2023-24 OUA women’s volleyball award winners and all-stars is as follows:
Most Valuable Player – Hannah Duchesneau, Queen’s; Sara Rohr, Brock
Rookie of the Year – Olivia Julien, McMaster
Coach of the Year – Ryan Ratushniak, Queen’s
Award of Merit – Avery Kelly, Waterloo
First Team All-Stars
Hannah Duchesneau, Queen’s
Sara Rohr, Brock
Jenna Woock, McMaster
Julia Murmann, Toronto
Amanda Siksna, Queen’s
Paige Owen, Nipissing
Sullie Sundara, McMaster
Devin Gerth, Western
Ashley Ditchfield, TMU
Gigi Markotic, Brock
Lauren Veltman, TMU
Olivia Zhu, Toronto
Emily Foest, Brock
Alexa Shields, Guelph
Second Team All-Stars
Shea Baker, Queen’s
Claire Stewart, Western
Avery Kelly, Waterloo
Olivia Julien, McMaster
Sadie Dick, Brock
Aliah Admans, Windsor
Sarah Zonneveld, TMU
Oceane Raymond-Leduc, Nipissing
Briar Crerar, Guelph
Yaila Sealy, Windsor
Delaney Watson, Toronto
Ellie Hatashita, McMaster
Ava Ebert, Western
Jessica Reynolds, York
All-Rookie Team
Olivia Julien, McMaster
Delaney Watson, Toronto
Lael Harrison, Western
Madison Seo, Waterloo
Emma Baruchelli, Brock
Kathryn Beresford, Trent
Victoria Herrington, York
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