KAMLOOPS (CIS) - For the second time in three years, UBC Thunderbird standout
Blair Bann has been recognized as the CIS Libero of the Year.
This season, the fourth-year human kinetics student led Canada West with 3.76 digs per set, averaging 1.04 more than the next best player, and 252 total digs, 64 more than his closest rival. Those numbers were good enough to rank him first in the nation in both categories.
The 22-year-old, a member of the CIS all-rookie team back in 2006-07, was also recognized for the second consecutive season by the league coaches with a spot on the Canada West second all-star team, an outstanding accomplishment for a libero.
The Edmonton native also scooped up his third straight Canada West Libero of the Year award this season en route to a return to the national stage.
UBC head coach
Richard Schick had nothing but good things to say about his team's most outstanding player.
“Blair has been our most consistent performer throughout the entire season, leading our team and conference in passing and digging statistics,” said Schick. “The passion, energy and dedication he brings to the game is an example of what it takes to become and succeed as an elite athlete. The recognition is well deserved and his teammates and I are extremely proud of him and what he accomplished this season.”
Other award winners announced at the All-Canadian Banquet in Kamloops, B.C. were Brandon's Paul Sanderon of Melbourne, Australia who took home his school's first MVP award, Thompson Rivers' Kevin Tillie of Cagnes-sur-Mer, France, who was chosen rookie of the year, Laval's Pascal Clément, who earned coach-of-the-year honours for the third time, as well as Montreal's Emmanuel André-Morin of Vaudreuil-sur-le-Lac, Que., who received the Dale Iwanoczko award recognizing his excellence in volleyball, academics and community involvement.
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