THREE BLUES NAMED OUA ALL-STARS

As announced by Ontario University Athletics (OUA) on Monday afternoon, University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s volleyball players Julia Murmann, Olivia Zhu, and Delaney Watson were all recognized as 2024 OUA all-stars.

For a third consecutive season, third-year outside hitter Murmann was honoured as an OUA first team all-star. The Social Sciences student tied for the Blues lead in points per game (4.3), while ranking second in the entire province in both total kills (275) and kills per set (3.87). The extremely talented offensive player also showcased her defensive prowess, additionally ranking Top 5 in the OUA in total digs (245) and digs per set (3.45). Playing a pivotal role in the Blues return to the OUA postseason this year, she notched 20 or more points in six matches, including tying her career-high of 27 points in two separate five set victories. In addition to receiving first team all-star honours in her previous two seasons with the Blues, Murmann was also named U SPORTS and OUA rookie of the year and a U SPORTS second team All-Canadian in 2022.

Joining Murmann as an OUA first team all-star, fellow outside hitter Zhu received the honour for the first time in just her second season with the Varsity Blues. Giving Toronto another threat on the outside, Zhu topped the OUA in total kills (292), while finishing just behind her U of T teammate in kills per set (3.70). The Mechanical Engineering major would also rank Top 10 in U SPORTS in points per set (4.3). Zhu appeared in 20 matches, posting double-digit points in all but one outing, while registering 20 or more points in five contests. This included a new career-high 25.5 points and 23 kills in an exciting five set home win over Western in mid-November.

As for first-year libero Watson, the Life Sciences student was announced as both an OUA second team all-star and OUA all-rookie. Making an immediate impact in her debut season with the Blues, Watson finished first in the OUA and third in U SPORTS in total digs (350). When shifting to her per set statistics, the highly touted defensive specialist also ranked second in the entire country, averaging 4.73 digs per set. Competing in all 20 regular season matches, Watson tallied double-digit digs in 18 contests, while surpassing 20 digs in six matches. This included a season best 35 digs in the Blues four set victory over Windsor during a late season stretch of six consecutive wins ahead of the OUA playoffs.

The complete list of 2024 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