Call it an awards sweep for Kiera Van Ryk this year.
Now she just needs the national trophy to top the whole season off.
On Thursday night — and just over a week since she was named the Canada West Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year — UBC women’s volleyball’s star outside hitter was named the recipient of the Mary Lyons Award for U Sports women’s volleyball Player of the Year.
She is the 11th Thunderbird to receive the award, and the first second-year athlete to win since 2003.
“There are so many great players here, it’s a great honour,” said Van Ryk after receiving the award at the 2019 All-Canadian Gala at the Edmonton Convention Centre. “All my teammates and coaches, I wouldn’t be here without them so acknowledging them is the biggest thing for me and knowing that they got my back at all times.”
Her two awards in 10 days join a string of previous remarkable moments, including the U Sports Rookie of the Year award in 2018, U Sports first team all-star nods in both of her seasons of varsity, and two Canada West Female Athlete of the Month awards this season in November and January.
Her stats this past season have been dominant, as she led Canada West with 398 kills and 489 points. She also sits in the Canada West history books with the second highest single-season services aces total: 68.
The Player of the Year award was announced on the eve of this year’s national tournament, held in Edmonton and hosted by the Alberta Golden Bears.
Today, UBC heads into their first match up of the tournament against the Trinity Western Spartans. For more information on the match up, see our preview.
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