CANADA WEST - For the third straight season, UBC Thunderbirds standout
Blair Bann has been recognized as the Canada West Libero of the Year. The Edmonton native has been a defensive stalwart for the Thunderbirds since arriving on the Point Grey campus four years ago.
This season Bann led the Canada West with 3.76 digs per game, averaging 1.04 digs per game more than the next best player, and 252 total digs which was 64 more than next best individual. Those numbers were also good enough to rank him first in the nation in both of those categories.
Bann was also recognized for the second straight season by Canada West coaches with a spot on the conference's second-team all-star squad, an outstanding accomplishment for a libero.
He was a CIS All-Rookie team member in 2006-07 and the 2007-08 CIS Libero of the Year and Bann will once again be a finalist for the national award.
UBC head coach
Richard Schick had nothing but glowing things to say about Bann's continued excellence at the libero position and his contribution to the T-Birds.
“Blair has been our most consistent performer throughout the entire season leading our team and conference in passing and digging statistics," noted Schick. "The passion, energy and dedication he brings to the game are examples of what it takes to become and succeed as an elite athlete. The recognition is well deserved and his teammates and I are extremely proud of him.”
Other major award winners announced by the conference on Friday were Brandon's Paul Sanderson (MVP) and Russ Paddock (Coach), and Thompson Rivers' Kevin Tillie (Rookie).
The full conference release, with information on the other award winners and the two all-star teams, can be found on the
Canada West website.
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