Walker named Rookie of the Year, three other Rams earn OUA honours

BURLINGTON, Ont. – Ontario University Athletics (OUA) announced the men’s volleyball award winners and all-stars on Wednesday, with a four Rams earning conference recognition.

First-year outside hitter Jacob Walker was named the East division’s Rookie of the Year after his successful debut season. Walker led the Rams with 3.18 kills per set which ranked him ninth among all OUA players. He was also strong from the service line, ranking fifth in the conference in aces. Walker’s 143 total points was good for eighth in the league and his contributions helped lead the Rams to their ninth straight playoff appearance. He was also named to the OUA All-Rookie Team for his efforts.

Libero Lhexen Rabit earned their first OUA honours, being named an OUA East First-Team All-Star. This season, Rabit collected 71 digs to rank seventh in the OUA and provided a steadying and veteran presence to a young squad.

Setter Saad Shaikh was named an OUA East Second-Team All-Star after a strong season of distributing the ball and setting up his teammates for success. Shaikh played in all but three sets throughout the regular season and racked up 345 assists, good for fourth in the OUA.

Lucas Yang joined Walker on the OUA All-Rookie Team in recognition of his strong first season. Yang played in 11 matches and collected 63 points and 36 digs, contributing on both sides of the ball.

A list of all-time Rams award winners can be found here.

OUA Major Awards & All-Stars
Most Valuable Players: Erik Siksna (Queen’s, East) and Logan House (Brock, West)
Rookies of the Year: Jacob Walker (Rams, East) and Maxime Gratton (McMaster, West)
Coaches of the Year: Steve Leknois (RMC, East) and Dave Preston (McMaster, West)
Dale Iwanoczko Awards of Merit: Dan Everton (York, East) and Amit Sayal (Western, West)

East Division All-Stars

First-Team
Erik Siksna, Queen’s
Jackson Young, Nipissing
Zane Grossinger, Toronto
Evan Falardeau, Toronto
Andrew Tauhid, York
Lachlan McBride, Queen’s
Lhexen Rabit, Rams

Second-Team
Mitchell Neuert, Toronto
Lukas Kaufman, Queen’s
Michael Rowsell, RMC
Tyrus Cuculick, Nipissing
Saad Shaikh, Rams
Cole Duncanson, Queen’s
Daniel Tudor, Toronto

All-Rookies
Jacob Walker, Rams
Cole Duncanson, Queen’s
Jasraj Nijjar, York
Hunter Arulpragasam, Toronto
Thomas Wrigley, Nipissing
Lucas Yang, Rams
Adam Reid, RMC