2023 ACAC Women's Volleyball Rookies of the Year
Edmonton, AB (February 22, 2023) -
North Rookie of the Year presented by Volleyball Alberta: Katie Nashim
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Katie Nashim of the Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) Wolves Women’s Volleyball team has been selected as the 2022-23 ACAC Women’s Volleyball North Rookie of the Year.
Katie entered her first season of the ACAC having started in all 21 games played by the Wolves. She has played a leading role on the team since day one on the court. Katie has a record of 202 kills in her rookie season, and during the team’s November 19 match-up against Medicine Hat College, Katie recorded 15 kills in a 3-set win.
“Katie has worked extremely hard this season to refine her game. The past six months has been a season of growth and challenges, and Katie has viewed any challenges as opportunities to better herself and her teammates” said Head Coach, Lauren Hale-Miller. “She is caring, dedicated, and humble. I am proud of her accomplishments and growth this season as both a player and as a person.”
Katie hails from Lac La Biche, Alberta, and is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts University Transfer program at NWP.
Coach Hale-Miller believes Katie will continue to be “an offensive threat in the ACAC league and her impact is only just beginning”.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2023 ACAC Women’s Volleyball Championship hosted by Red Deer Polytechnic in Red Deer, Alberta.
South Rookie of the Year presented by Volleyball Alberta: Sophia Ferguson
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Sophia Ferguson of the SAIT Trojans has been selected as the 2022-23 ACAC Women’s Volleyball South Division Rookie of the Year.
The first-year middle from Airdrie, Alta., did not wait long to make an impression on the league, recording nine kills, four blocks and three service aces in her team’s 3-2 win over Lethbridge College on the season’s opening night. From there, Ferguson continued to shine and would end up finishing second on her team in blocks (20), third in services aces (16) and fourth in kills (78) in just 14 games played.
“Coach Chantelle LaMotte had high expectations for Sophia coming in, and she was able to meet those this season despite missing time with an injury,” said Wade Kolmel, SAIT’s Director of Athletics and Recreation. “She plays the net aggressively and shows a fantastic awareness for the game while keeping a calm and positive demeanor. We look forward to seeing her grow as a Trojan and congratulate her on this well-deserved award.”
Ferguson, a first-year Open Studies student at SAIT, joins Madison Hayley (2016-17) as the only Trojans volleyball players, male or female, to earn ACAC South Division Rookie of the Year honours since the award was first handed out in the 2005-06 season.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2023 ACAC Women’s Volleyball Championship hosted by Red Deer Polytechnic in Red Deer, Alberta.
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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:
Mark Kosak, ACAC
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Danielle Smith, Northewstern Polytechnic Wolves
Manager, Communications and Marketing
780-539-2954
DSmith@nwpolytech.ca
Wade Kolmel, SAIT Trojans
Manager of Athletics & Recreation
403-284-8363
Wade.Kolmel@sait.ca
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