For just the sixth time in college history a Niagara College student-athlete has been named a Canadian College Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Canadian. Thursday, morning saw Shayne Petrusma of the Niagara College Knights Men's Volleyball Program receive the award as a part of the 2013 Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) awards banquet at the Oakville Conference Centre.
Petrusma joins Tom Peat (Badminton), Mark Nelson (Badminton), Blair Cudmore (Volleyball), Justin Ross (volleyball), and Kaitlyn Mckenna (Basketball) as Niagara College student-athletes who have been named CCAA All-Canadians.
Joining Petrusma as Ontario's CCAA All-Canadian selections were Frankie Edgecomb of Nipissing and 2012-13 OCAA Men's Volleyball Player of the Year Phillipe Yeldon (Algonquin).
Petrusma, a six-foot-five outside hitter from Bowmanville, Ontario has been crucial in the Knights' 2012-13 reemergence as an OCAA Men's Volleyball power. Petrusma led the Knights to a 14-4 regular season record, an OCAA West Division Title, and the #3 ranking in the CCAA.
Petrusma competed for four seasons as a member of the McMaster Marauders Men's Volleyball Team. He joined the Knights in September of 2012 after completing a degree at McMaster, and is currently enrolled in the Paramedic Program at Niagara College.
Niagara College Manager of Athletics & Recreation Matthew Davies spoke very highly of Petrusma stating "we are extremely proud of Shayne's accomplishments this year. He epitomizes the true value of what a student-athlete represents. He has excelled as a 90-average student in our Paramedics program and has helped turn around our Men's Volleyball Program, helping the Knights nearly triple their win output from last season."
Along with the CCAA All-Canadian selection, Petrusma was named an OCAA West Division First-Team All-Star, and was named OCAA West Division Scoring Champion. Petrusma led the OCAA West Division in both points-per-set (4.0) and kills-per-set (3.3).
The Thursday morning awards banquet opened the 2013 OCAA Men's Volleyball Championship hosted by Sheridan College. The Knights are one of eight teams competing in the event with the winner receiving entry into the 2013 Ironwood Wealth Management Group CCAA Men's Volleyball National Championship host by Niagara College.
As Championship hosts, the Niagara College Knights will receive an automatic entry into the competition. Matthew Davies added "We would like to wish Shayne and the rest of the Niagara College Men's Volleyball Program the best of luck as they enter the OCAA and CCAA Championships."
For Tickets to the Men's Volleyball National Championship or for more information please contact:
Mike Puillandre
Marketing, Communications & Game Day Coordinator
Niagara College – Department of Athletics & Recreation
905-735-2211 ex: 7681
mpuillandre@niagaracollege.ca
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