Volleyball Trio named OUA all-stars

Three members of the Lancer men’s volleyball team have been recognized amongst the OUA’s elite, as Ontario University Athletics announced their award winners and all-stars Wednesday.

Second year libero Steven Abrams was named to the OUA’s first all-star team, while Dami Alalade was named to the second team, and Gustavo Siqueira was named to the all-rookie team.

Steven is widely regarded as one of the top liberos in Canada, earning a spot as the starting libero for the Canadian Junior National team at the World Championships in September of 2021.  This season Steven anchored a very strong passing threesome for the Lancers alongside Siqueira and Sean Spencer. Steven was equally as effective passing with his hands as he was with his forearms versus float serves and was one of the top spin serve passers in the league. He also finished fifth in the OUA in digs.

“Steven continued to improve throughout the season and brought consistent positive energy, intensity, and focus to training and matches,” said head coach James Gravelle. “His leadership as well as his excellent passing and defence helped our group peak right at the end of the season.  I’m proud of how Steven handled himself in every situation this season and am also consistently impressed with his humble approach to the game, always working on his weaknesses and striving to be better.”

Alalade finished second in the OUA in blocks per set and third in hitting percentage, highlighting his excellent season on both sides of the ball. He was a game-changing presence at the net and played his best volleyball of the season during the final week of the regular season and in the playoffs.

“Dami’s competitiveness and determination were on full display this season as he willed the team to emerge from an early Winter semester three-match losing streak,” commented Gravelle.” Injury and illness also hit Dami during the final two months of the season, but he stayed the course and was dominant in our late season surge to clinch home court for the first round of the playoffs, as well as in each of our playoff matches.

Siqueira started every match at the key left side position for the Lancers in this his first season with the blue and gold.  He was among the rookie kills leaders in the OUA and was also one of the best passers in the league. He hit .297 and was second in team scoring per set during the playoffs.

“Gustavo had a very strong first season in our league. He brought excellent ball control and shot making with him from Brazil but I was most impressed with his improved blocking,” Gravelle said. By the end of the season Gus was matched up with our opponents’ big attackers and became a shutdown blocker. His performance in our OUA playoff match versus McMaster was his best all-around match of the season and something to build upon.”

Congratulations Lancers!