VANCOUVER - Ian Perry, a red-shirt freshman with the UBC Thunderbirds men's volleyball team in 2009-10, has been named a libero on Canada's Junior National team set to compete at the 2010 NORCECA Men's Junior Championship in Gatineau, Que. from August 16-21.

The selection comes as a bit of a surprise since Perry starred as a setter at Yale Secondary before joining the T-Birds.

"I hope that this experience will take me to the next level as a libero because I am still very new to playing this position. It will also help my confidence greatly for the upcoming season," says Perry, who hails from Abbotford, B.C.

As the third setter on the T-Birds 2009-10 squad, Perry did not see any action during league play at his favoured position, however, he used the year to begin developing a skill set necessary to master the backcourt as a libero.

Getting to learn from Blair Bann, UBC's standout libero who has won three straight CW Libero of the Year awards and two of the last three CIS awards, was a big boost to his development.

"I learned so much this year with the T-Birds. Rich [Schick, UBC's head coach] is a great defensive coach and Blair was an outstanding role model. They both really helped me with my passing platform and being able to take control of the court," adds Perry.

With Bann entering the fifth and final year of his already impressive career, Perry has put himself on the path to potentially take over the mantle as UBC's defensive specialist in the years to come.

“This speaks volumes about the kind of athlete/person Ian is and work ethic that he possesses. It's not an easy transition for someone who has set his entire career to change over to a position where he must learn to master a skill he has never done previously (passing)," says Schick.

"Obviously being able to work alongside a player like Blair has helped Ian in his transition and growth within the game and position.  We are extremely fortunate to have two of the best defenders in the country.”

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