WVB: Alexa Shields & Briar Crerar Recognized as OUA Announces All-Stars

BURLINGTON, Ont. – A pair of Guelph Gryphons women’s volleyball players were recognized on Monday (Mar. 4) as Ontario University Athletics (OUA) announced the all-stars and major award winners from the 2023-24 women’s volleyball season.

Alexa Shields, a third-year setter from Aurora, Ontario experienced a fantastic season for the Gryphons in her first year as a starter. The management economics and finance major ranked among the conferences best setters this past season on her way to her first OUA all-star nod, finishing the year with the most kill assists of any student-athlete (643). Shields also ranked among the top players in the OUA in digs (201, 7th in the OUA) and service aces (24, 11th in the OUA) while playing in the 8th-most sets of any other student-athlete. Her season was highlighted by a 10-point performance to open the season against the Lakehead Thunderwolves where she recorded 7 kills, a season-high. Her best game of the season setting the ball came in another 3-1 victory, this time over the Windsor Lancers, where she assisted on an incredible 56 kills. Shields was no doubt a reason for the Gryphons 12-8 record and playoff berth in 2023-24. 

Also earning all-star status in 2023-24 was second-year outside hitter Briar Crerar, who was named to the conference’s second all-star roster. Last season Crerar was named an OUA all-rookie team member following a fantastic first season with the Gryphons and has undoubtedly improved in sophomore season. The psychology major from Pickering, Ontario earned her first all-star award following a season which saw her rank among the top attackers in the OUA in several key statistical categories such as attacks (614, 4th in the OUA), kills (189, 10th in the OUA), and total points (220.5, 12th in the OUA). Crerar’s season was highlighted by a pair of 20+ point in wins against the York Lions and Windsor Lancers that saw her record a combined 35 kills. Having led the team in points Crerar is one reason for the Gryphons 12-8 season in which the team finished 6th in the conference. 

For more information on the rest of the 2023-24 OUA women’s volleyball all-stars and major award winners visit www.oua.ca.
 

2023-24 OUA Major Award Winners

Co-Player of the Year – Hannah Duchesneau, Queen’s Gaels
Co-Player of the Year – Sara Rohr, Brock Badgers
Rookie of the Year – Olicia Julien, McMaster Marauders
Coach of the Year – Ryan Ratushniak, Queen’s Gaels
Award of Merit – Avery Kely, Waterloo Waterloo Warriors
 

2023-24 OUA All-Stars

Hannah Dechesneau, Queen’s Gaels
Sara Rohr, Brock Badgers
Julia Murmann, U of T Varsity Blues
Amanda Siksna, Queen’s Gaels
Paige Owen, Nipissing Lakers
Sullie Sundara, Queen’s Gaels
Devin Gerth, Western Mustangs
Ashley Ditchfield, TMU Bold
Gigi Markotic, Brock Badgers
Lauren Veltman, TMU Bold
Olivia Zhu, U of T Varsity Blues
Emily Foest, Brock Badgers
Alexa Shields, Guelph Gryphons

Second Team
Shea Baker, Queen’s Gaels
Claire Stewart, Western Mustangs
Avery Kelly, Waterloo Warriors
Olivia Julien, McMaster Marauders
Sadie Dick, Brock Badgers
Aliah Admans, Windsor Lancers
Sarah Zonneveld, TMU Bold
Oceane Raymond-Leduc, Nipissing Lakers
Briar Crerar, Guelph Gryphons
Yaila Sealy, Windsor Lancers
Delaney Watson, U of T Varsity Blues
Ellie Hatashita, McMaster Marauders
Ava Ebert, Western Mustangs
Jessica Reynolds, York Lions
 

2023-24 OUA All-Rookie Team

Olivia Julien, McMaster Marauders
Delaney Watson, U of T Varsity Blues
Lael Harrison, Western Mustangs
Madison Seo, Waterloo Warriors
Emma Baruchelli, Brock Badgers
Kathryn Beresford, Trent Excalibur
Victoria Herrington, York Lions