The Trinity Western Spartans have picked up pair of major awards at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport banquet.
Head coach Ben Josephson was named the national coach of the year while setter Adam Schriemer earned the CIS rookie of the year award.
They were presented with their honours at the CIS all-Canadian breakfast on Feb. 26 in Calgary.
The Spartans lost in the quarter-finals in five sets to the Western Mustangs before winning their final two games over the Calgary Dinos and the Dalhousie Tigers to place fifth.
Two other Spartans — Lucas Van Berkel and Nick Del Bianco — were also recognized as CIS all-Canadians, with Van Berkel making the first team and Del Bianco, the second. Schriemer was also named to the CIS all-rookie team.
“Adam’s season is arguably the best freshman setting season in Canada West history,” said Josephson.
“He helped guide our team to a conference best in wins and attack efficiency, which are the two most relevant statistics in judging a setter. He still has a long way to go, but to have as much poise and understanding of the position at his age is a rare quality.
“We are so very excited to continue to work toward him becoming a truly elite setter.”
This is the second time in the past three years Josephson has won the coach of the year award.
During the regular schedule, Trinity Western was the best blocking team in the country (3.07 per set) and ranked second in CIS in both hitting percentage (.313) and points per set (17.2).
Since taking over head coaching duties in 2007, Josephson has guided the Spartans to four CIS championship appearances before this year, winning gold in 2011 and 2012 and silver in 2010. His team has also captured one Canada West title under his leadership (2012).
“It’s a great honour for Ben to be selected by his peers for this prestigious award,” said TWU athletic director Murray Hall.
“Ben is a student of the game and has set the standard for coaching excellence at TWU in a number of areas under our ‘Complete Champion Approach’.
“Ben is an innovator and has built an expert-based staff around him. He recruits the very best student-athletes who fit the high performance and high character culture he demands,” Hall added.
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Trinity Western Spartans’ Sophie Carpentier earned a first team all-Canadian award.
Carpentier, who finished the season second in the country at 4.14 kills per set and points with 4.96 per set, received her award last week (Feb. 26) in Regina.
The Spartans were competing at the CIS women’s volleyball national championships.
Trinity Western lost in the quarter-finals to the Dalhousie Tigers, but bounced back with wins over the Ottawa Gee-Gees and the Regina Cougars to place fifth in the country.