Wild Wild West!
You have to be a special player to be named CIS men's volleyball MVP. Then again, you have to be a special men's volleyball player just to survive in the brutally competitive Canada West conference!
The West has totally dominated the sport since the inaugural CIS championship was held in 1966-67. A few numbers to illustrate this overwhelming domination: 36 out of 42 banners won by teams currently playing in Canada West, including the last 14; seven straight all-West CIS finals and as many consecutive all-West national podiums.
"It's the quality of players we have in this conference. They play against each other so often that they can't help but get better," said University of Winnipeg head coach Larry McKay back in march, minutes after his team lost the CIS final in four sets to Alberta.
Which brings us to Wesmen all-star Ben Schellenberg, a homegrown talent from Portage La Prairie, Man., who moved to Winnipeg at the age of 12.
Schellenberg became the 10th player from Canada West in as many years to claim CIS most-valuable-player honours. While he didn't lead the nation or his conference in any major stat categories, the six-foot-six hitter was a model of consistency, finishing in the Top 10 in Canada West in points, kills, hitting percentage, blocks and digs.
But more than anything, he was able to elevate his game when it counted the most.
"Ben has a penchant for performing best when the opposition is greatest. At this year's CIS championship, he put together three consecutive spectacular attacking performances," says McKay. "As the CIS player of the year, all attention was focused on him by McMaster, Dalhousie and Alberta. All three teams have big blockers they put in front of Ben. Yet, he attacked the best he has in his five-year career."
"All of this on the biggest stage versus the biggest blockers. It was a remarkable performance."
The 22-year-old Schellenberg, who will graduate with a psychology degree, was named to the CIS tournament all-star team, just like he was in 2007 when he led the Wesmen to their record-tying 10th Tantramar Trophy victory.
Schellenberg’s Accomplishments: |
