Bain & Hayley named as 2016-17 ACAC Women's Volleyball Rookies of the Year
LLOYDMINSTER, AB. (Feb. 22, 2017) – The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is proud to announce Jamie Bain of the NAIT Ooks (North Division) and Madison Hayley of the SAIT Trojans (South Division) have been selected as the 2016-17 ACAC Women's Volleyball Rookies of the Year.
With no returning setters, NAIT was thrilled when Jamie Bain decided to join the Ooks for the 2016-17 season. She was able to step right in and take charge running the Ooks offence. Bain improved steadily throughout the season and really broke out in the second half.
"Her decision making has really evolved, and she has worked hard to improve her consistency and keep her hitters in rhythm. Jamie has also been great from the service line all season and she has great volleyball IQ. Most importantly, she's loves to compete and this pushes the level in our gym every day," says NAIT Head Coach Benj Heinrichs.
Bain came to NAIT from the 4A Volleyball Champion St. Albert Catholic High School Skyhawks and the St. Albert Sturgeon Volleyball Club (3 SAS teammates also joined her on the NAIT Ooks). She has a 4.0 GPA in the Personal Fitness Trainer program.
South Division Rookie of the Year Madison Hayley joined the SAIT squad this season as a libero. The first-year Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant student has helped the Trojans to an 18-6 record this season, surpassing the post-secondary's single-season mark of 17 wins set by the team just last year.
She becomes the first Trojans volleyball player, male or female, to earn the Rookie of the Year honour.
"Madison is not only a good passer and an excellent defender, but she is outstanding communicator on the floor," said Art O'Dwyer, head coach of the Trojans. "She loves to compete, and her passion and joy for the game is apparent every time she hits the court. She holds herself to a very high standard, and in doing so, forces her teammates to do the same."
Hayley had big shoes to fill this season, following the departure of All-Conference libero Kayla Nixon. She met the challenge with great determination and led the Trojans with 242 digs – good enough for seventh best in all of the ACAC.
Bain and Hayley received the awards on Feb. 22, 2017 at the ACAC Women's Volleyball Conference Championship Banquet held in Lloydminster, Alta.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Linda Henderson, NAIT Ooks
Athletics Director
780-471-8803
lhenders@nait.ca
Brody Mark, SAIT Trojans
Media Consultant
403-630-4575
brody.mark@sait.ca
Mark Kosak, ACAC
Chief Executive Officers
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Twitter: @acac_sport / #ACACWVB2017
Facebook: AlbertaCollegesAthleticConference