VANCOUVER – Capping off an historic season orchestrating the most efficient offence in the country, UBC setter
Mason Greves has been named Canada West Men's Volleyball Player of the Year while
Mike Hawkins has been honoured with the first conference Coach of the Year award of his career.
Having pulled the strings of the UBC offence since he became the team's starting setter in his second game as a Thunderbird, Greves has grown leaps and bounds to become one of Canada's most formidable talents, now in his fifth and final season in the blue and gold.
"I think there's no better way for him to be recognized for his consistently impressive career since he's come to UBC," said Hawkins. "Having the opportunity to essentially earn the starting position in his first year, he has consistently been not only one of the best setters in the conference but one of the best overall players with everything else he does defensively. So for him to be able to receive this recognition is the cherry on top of what's been an incredibly illustrious individual career."
Second in assists in Canada West history, the Calgary native saved his best season for last, leading the conference with 10.68 assists per set while sitting second in digs per set at 2.17.
Under his guidance, the Thunderbirds have had the best offence in not just Canada West, but all of U SPORTS this year, topping all other teams in both points and assists per set, while leading the country in hitting percentage by a whopping 30 points.
Greves becomes the first Thunderbird to win Canada West Player of the Year since Guy Davis in 2000.
"Sometimes we take for granted how much he stabilizes things with his exceptional physical and technical execution," Hawkins added. "But even just his experience having been there, been with the national team and his calm, quiet confidence that he exudes at all times has allowed us to continue to grow year in and year out."
Leading the Thunderbirds to a 19-1 record and top seed in the Canada West, Hawkins has earned his first Canada West Coach of the Year award in one of the most dominant regular seasons in team history.
The Lethbridge, Alberta native oversaw a 2025-26 regular season in which the Thunderbirds led the conference in sets won (59), kills-per-set (13.01), hitting percentage (.346) and assists-per-set (12.34).
Now in his eighth year guiding the 'Birds, Hawkins has helped re-establish UBC as one of this country's pre-eminent men's volleyball programs.
"This is such a well-deserved honour for Mike and a testament to all he has poured into the UBC men's volleyball program," said UBC Managing Director of Athletics,
Kavie Toor. "Seeing him mold this particular veteran group of players from raw rookie talents and working with them to become the formidable group they are is proof of Mike's skills as a coach and mentor. Mike's collaborative approach with our sports science team and innovative use of analytical data continues to push his program forward in new ways. His dedication and care for his athletes well beyond the court is to be admired, as is the level of excellence he has established for UBC men's volleyball. We're very proud of Mike and excited for what the future brings."
The T-Birds head into the Canada West Final Four on a 15-match win streak while their home court dominance is even more impressive, notching 28 straight victories dating back to February of 2024.
Hosting the Final Four at War Memorial Gym, the T-Birds take on the Manitoba Bisons Friday, March 6 at 5:30 p.m. with the winner to battle either Alberta or Trinity Western for conference gold on Saturday.
2025-26 Canada West Men's Volleyball Major Awards
Player of the Year
Mason Greves, UBC
Rookie of the Year
Kale Orr, Mount Royal
Libero of the Year
Tate Calles, Trinity Western
Coach of the Year
Mike Hawkins, UBC
