York’s Kim, UBC’s Neaves named U SPORTS volleyball athletes of the week

York’s Olivia Kim and UBC’s Matt Neaves have been named the U SPORTS volleyball athletes of the week for the period ending November 27, 2022.

Olivia Kim, York

• Position: Outside Hitter
• Hometown: Scarborough, Ont.
• Year of eligibility: 4th
• Program: Human Rights & Equity Studies

Fourth-year outside hitter Olivia Kim is a steady presence for York’s women’s volleyball. The human rights and equity studies student had an incredibly productive weekend in back-to-back straight-set wins for the Lions over Toronto and Guelph.

Kim had team highs in points in both games, notching a season-best 15.5 against the Blues and following it up with another 17 against Guelph, again recording her season-high.

Matt Neaves, UBC

• Position: Opposite
• Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
• Year of eligibility: 4^th
• Program: Business

Fourth-year opposite Matt Neaves played a crucial role in helping UBC take a game off the then-perfect Trinity Western Spartans in a dominant performance.

Neaves converted at an astounding rate on the weekend, making the most of every set he received. His 14 kills in three sets headlined the T-Birds’ Friday evening victory over the Trinity Western Spartans. The business student posted an eye-popping kill percentage of .684, while sailing in four service aces against the highly rated Spartans’ defence. He added four digs and two block assists for 19 points on the night.

Neaves went back into battle Saturday, slamming down 20 kills at a rate of .385. He duplicated his success from the service line while adding a solo block and six digs, but his 25 points weren’t enough to overcome the Spartans two nights in a row. UBC fell in five sets.