SCHELLENBERG, ADDISON-SCHNEIDER, MCKAY HONORED

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 – After posting a second consecutive 14-4 regular season record, the University of Winnipeg Men’s Volleyball Team were honored this morning with two individual awards and two All-Stars from the Canada West Universities Athletic Association.

Fifth-year opposite/middle Ben Schellenberg has been selected Most Valuable Player for the 2007-08 conference season. Schellenberg, a 6’6’’ Psychology major, captained his team to a 14-4 record, and this past weekend help them earn a berth in the Final Four at Edmonton and a guaranteed spot at the CIS Tournament. The 22-year-old finished among the conference leaders in numerous categories this season, placing fourth in kills (238), third in points (290), seventh in hitting percentage (.347) and ninth in digs (119). Last season he was a CIS Tournament all-star for the Wesmen as they won a national title. Schellenberg, also a four-time academic all-Canadian, was a Canada West all-star in 2006-07, an all-Canadian in 2005-06 and was named to the CIS all-rookie team in 2004.

“Ben is a well rounded player. Strong defense goes along with his serving, blocking and spiking. He has been a team captain for the last two seasons. Ben is a four-time academic all Canadian with a GPA of over 4 (A),” said Wesmen men’s volleyball head coach Larry McKay.

Honoured by his colleagues as Coach of the Year is 19-year Head Coach Larry McKay. The defending CIS champions had another solid season under McKay, going 14-4, and then taking a best-of-three conference quarter-final from Trinity Western in two straight matches, thus qualifying for the Final Four and a trip to CIS Nationals.

McKay has coached Winnipeg to six CIS/CIAU medals: gold in 1997-98 and 2006-07), a silver in 2001-02 and bronze in 1992-93, 1996-97 and 1999-2000. He is also a two-time CIS men’s volleyball Coach of the Year (1992-93, 2001-02).

“Larry McKay’s teams are consistently year by year challenging for a National Championship. He shows great composure in tight matches and is a great teacher to all his players. He deserves any and all accolades that come his way”, said University of Winnipeg Athletic Director Bill Wedlake.

It was also announced this morning that Schellenberg and fifth year setter Dustin-Addison Schneider have been named to the Canada West First All-Star Team.

Addison-Schneider, finished second in Canada West Conference in set assists (733) and assists/ per game (10.94). Addison-Schneider was named MVP and a Tournament All-Star at the 2006-07 CIS Men’s National Volleyball Championships. Dustin was named to the Canada West Second All-Star Team last season.

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Sheldon Appelle
Sports Information Coordinator
University of Winnipeg