Tuesday, February 21 2012
The OUA announced the All-Stars for women’s volleyball this morning, and the second place Gee-Gees were well represented. Karina Krueger Schwanke was named to the First All-Star Team, while Myriam English and Christina Grail got the nod for the Second Team. With three players on the All-Star list, Ottawa had the most of any team in the province.
Karina Krueger Schwanke earned her spot on the First Team by leading the OUA in serving aces per set and was second in points per game (ninth in the CIS), a measurement which combines all the skills used during a match. Krueger Schwanke’s 0.84 service aces per set pace was also tops in the entire CIS. On three occasions this season, she scored more than five aces in a match with her season high of nine coming against Toronto on January 21st. The powerful attacker also registered 2.79 kills per set, leading the Gee-Gees in that category and placing her in a tie for ninth in the OUA.
“Early in the season we leaned on Karina a bit and now as everyone has developed and picked up their game, she has become the anchor of an offense that has at least 5 contributors every match,” commented Ottawa head coach Lionel Woods. He also noted Krueger Schwanke’s important veteran presence on the relatively young team, saying “As Tess Edwards graduated last year I was hopeful that Karina would return this season to help inject more maturity and experience into the line-up and I think she has done just that.”
The Blumenau, Brazil native was named as a Second Team All-Star in 2009-10 during her first season with the Gee-Gees, winning the OUA East Rookie of the Year award that same season.
Myriam English was recognized as an OUA Second Team All-Star for the second consecutive season. The sophomore left side attacker was fourth in the OUA in serving aces per set (fifth in the CIS), and finished twelfth in the OUA in points per game. English was a dangerous hitter and blocker as well, always seeming to come up with kills at key times for the Gee-Gees.
The Gee-Gees’ setter, Christina Grail, earned her first All-Star recognition after finishing second in the OUA in assists per set with an average of 9.54. That mark also places her sixth in the CIS in that category. Grail, who played in all but two of the Gee-Gees’ sets this season, recorded 601 assists on the season. Grail was also among the serving elite in the OUA, placing sixth in aces per set. With their three all-stars setting the pace, Ottawa finished the season as the top ranked team in the CIS in service aces per set.
“It is no surprise to me that both Myriam and Christina have been recognized as All-Stars this season, as they have contributed in all aspects of offense and defense,” said Woods before continuing, “This is really a complete team this year, with many players I wish could be aptly recognized for what they contribute to our team.”
The Gee-Gees are on their way to their OUA Final Four for the second consecutive season. They will face Queen’s in the league semi-final at 8 p.m. on Friday, February 24th at York University.
