Canadore hosts OCAA Volleyball All-Star weekend

Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) volleyball players will ascend upon North Bay as Canadore College hosts the 17th Annual Volleyball All-Star Game on Saturday, March 20th, 2010.

The game(s) assemble the all-stars from the Central East & East region versus the all-stars from the Central West & West region in a best-of-five-volleyball men’s and women’s match. Over 60 athletes will be representing 21 Ontario Colleges at this event.

The women’s game is slated for 3:30 p.m., with the men’s following at 5:30 p.m. Both games will take place at the Canadore College Education Centre Gymnasium.

The event will also feature sport specific workshops. The athletes have been awarded this special opportunity to broaden their skill and knowledge in volleyball and in the importance of athletic mental and physical training. We also encourage volleyball and athletic enthusiasts in the community to observe these workshops.

The Workshops Include:

• An OVA clinic with Dana Cooke. Dana has over 17 years of volleyball experience that includes highlights such as Team Captain of the Michigan State University Spartans, competing in the NCAA Final Four and a pro career in Europe. (9:30am – 11:30am in the Canadore Education Centre Gymnasium)

• A Sport Psychology clinic with Dr. Barbi Law. She is an assistant professor at Nipissing University in the School of Physical and Health Education, specializing in the Psychology of Sport and Exercise. Law has worked as a Mental Training Consultant for athletes and coaches at a variety of competitive levels. (8:30am- 9:15am in the Education Centre Weaver Auditorium)

• “Increasing Your Vertical” Clinic with Larry Sheppard. Larry is a Professor Sport Conditioning Diploma Program at Canadore College. For more than 30 years he has been involved in the strength and power development of athletes from a wide variety of disciplines, up to the professional and Olympic level. (9:30am-11:30am in the Nipissing Robert Surtee’s Gymnasium)

Set to hit the court in the women’s competition are some of this years’ top players in the OCAA. Hitting the court will be the Eastern’s leading statistics holder Shawna Metcalf from Cambrian (259 K, 4.48PTS/G), Mohawk’s second year middle Jenn Knowles (204 K, 3.72 PTS/G), Nipissing’s fourth year outside hitter Stephanie Stubbert (168K, 3.43 PTS/G), Fleming Peterborough’s third year middle Jennifer Mundy(186K, 3.43PTS/G) and Canadore’s Athlete of the Year Jordane Blanchette (169K, 2.36PTS/G). Leading the West on the sidelines will be Humber’s Chris Wilkins, while Dale Beausoleil from Cambrian will coach the East Team.

On the men’s side the East Team has a great line up with Fleming Peterborough’s second year middle Mike Rodin (183 K, 3.76 PTS/G), Seneca’s third year right side Brian Archibald (157K, 3.83 PTS/G) and Cambrian’s right side Ben Cambridge (207 K, 3.51 PTS/G). Meanwhile the West Team will be equally competitive with Humber’s 1st year right side Terrel Bramwell (251 K, 5.90 PTS/G), Redeemer’s 4th year right side Ryan Talsma (235K, 4.76PTS/G), Sheridan’s 4th L/R Andrew Henry (183K, 3.76 PTS/G) and Canadore’ setter Jonathan Hoadley.

Coaching on the sidelines of the men’s East Team will be Men’s East Coach of the Year Shane Timms from Seneca while Humber’s Wayne Wilkins will manage the West Team.

A number of the competing Athletes are 2009-2010 OCAA Award Winners. OCAA Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year-Ryan Talsma (Redeemer), OCAA Men’s Rookie of the Year, Men’s West Rookie of the Year, Men’s Regional Scoring Champion-Terrel Bramwell 5.90PPG (Humber),OCAA Women's Volleyball Player of the Year, CCAA Women’s All-Canadians, Western Regional Scoring Champion-Shawna Metcalf 4.48PPG (Cambrian) and OCAA Women's Rookie of the Year, Women’s West Rookie of the Year-Kelly Nyhof (Humber).

For more information on the OCAA 17th Annual All-Star Weekend please contact Canadore College at (705) 474-7600 ext. 5259

Submitted to BayToday.ca