Queen's earns two All-Star nominations and two major award winners

Hamilton, Ont. (February 14, 2008) - Queen's Joren Zeeman of Cambridge, Ont. earned the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) men's volleyball rookie of the year award which was announced Thursday. Other Gaels earning recognition were Stu Hamilton of Ottawa as Libero of the Year while Devon Miller of Barrie, Ont. and Jeff DeMeza of Calgary were selected as first-team All-Stars.

Zeeman is a six-foot-six, arts and science student who has made an immediate impact on the Golden Gaels team, which is the two-time defending OUA champion. Zeeman finished second on his team and fourth in the OUA in points per game averaging 3.915, while showing a great deal of poise and accuracy for a first year player. He also finished second on his team in kills with 175 and concluded the season with 17 service aces, 16 blocks and 45 digs. In addition to his Rookie of the Year honours, Zeeman also earned a nod on the OUA's All-Rookie Team.

Hamilton is a third-year arts and science student and has been one of the league's top defensive players all season. During his Libero of the Year campaign, he collected 89 digs averaging 1.98 digs per game for the Gaels.

The Gaels garnered two first-team All-Star selections with DeMeza and Miller earning the nod. Both were selected to the seven member first-team along with three players from the undefeated regular season champion McMaster. Kingston native Parrish Offer, who is a member of the McMaster squad, was also named.

DeMeza was third in the OUA in points and second in points per game and kills. This is the second time DeMeza has earned an OUA First-Team All-Star selection. Miller, who was the 2006-07 OUA Player of the Year, returns to the First All-Star team by leading the country in service aces with 38 while finishing the season as the conference leader in assists with 764.

All four Gaels will be ready to open up defence of their back-to-back OUA Championship titles this Saturday when they play the Ryerson Rams in the OUA Semi-Final match. The game is slated for 7:00pm and tickets are available by calling 613-533-2500.

OUA - Men's Volleyball (Major Award Winners)

OUA PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Nathan Groenveld - McMaster - Welland, ON

OUA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Joren Zeeman - Queen's - Cambridge, ON

OUA LIBERO OF THE YEAR
Stu Hamilton - Queen's - Ottawa, ON

DALE IWANOCZKO AWARD
Josh Chisholm - Western - Toronto, ON

COACH OF THE YEAR
Dave Preston - McMaster

OUA - Men's Volleyball (All-Stars)

FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS

PLAYER - SCHOOL - HOMETOWN
Nathan Groenveld - McMaster - Welland, ON
Devon Miller - Queen's - Barrie, ON
Steven Kung - Toronto - Toronto, ON
Jeff Demeza - Queen's - Calgary, ON
Eric Simon - Western - London, ON
Parrish Offer - McMaster - Kingston, ON
Jeremy Groenveld - McMaster - Welland, ON

SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS

PLAYER - SCHOOL - HOMETOWN
Reid Hall - York - Georgetown, ON
Andrew Bartram - Guelph - Aurora, ON
Cameron Dunning - Waterloo - Calgary, AB
Nic Beaver - Ryerson - Waterdown, ON
Josh Chisholm - Western - Toronto, ON
Mike Bancroft - Guelph - Stratford, ON
Peter Hrkal - McMaster - Caledon East, ON

OUA - Men's Volleyball (Rookie Team)

PLAYER - SCHOOL - HOMETOWN
Joren Zeeman - QueenÕs - Cambridge, ON
Josh Lichty - McMaster - St. Catharines, ON
Jonathan Waito - Guelph - Kitchener, ON
Cam Wheelan - Laurier - Barrie, ON
Greg McDonald - Ryerson - Chatham, ON
Tom Podstawka - York - Ancaster, ON
Derek Lapp - Laurier - Chatham, ON