For the second time in his Bisons career, middle Jordon Heppner has earned Canada West all-star recognition, while true freshman Owen Weekes has been selected to the Canada West All-Rookie team.
Heppner, the Canada West and U SPORTS Rookie of the Year two seasons ago, posted career highs in aces (41) and points per set (2.3) in 2024-25. The former of those totals was second the nation for a Bisons team that also led the country in total service aces, with 184.
The 6’6″ Heppner — who started every game for Manitoba — also hit above .300 for the third straight season, averaging 1.21 kills per set. He added 58 assisted blocks, sixth in Canada West, along with 65 total blocks, which ranked ninth.
Last Friday in the Canada West quarterfinals against UBCO, Heppner also set a rally scoring era school record for assisted blocks in a playoff match, with nine. It’s the sixth time in his Bisons career that he’s recorded six more more assisted blocks in the conference game.
“Jordy has been our most consistent performer all season,” said Bisons head coach Arnd ‘Lupo’ Ludwig.
“He keeps getting better every year, and his journey from Rookie of the Year two years ago to being named Second Team All-Star showcases his natural progression as one of the top players at his position.”
Weekes, a graduate of Vincent Massey Collegiate, made an immediate difference for Manitoba. He played in 19 matches for the Herd, showcasing his versatility by playing both left and right side.
The 6’8″ Weekes, a right side by trade, started all ten games at left side during the second half of the season for the Bisons. During that span of time, he recorded double-digit kills on four different occasions, including a regular season best of 15 against UBC Okanagan on January 15. He finished his rookie year with 123 kills, third on Manitoba’s roster, while averaging 2.32 kills per set, also third.
Weekes added 15 service aces, seven of which came in the last three games of regular season play, and he posted a regular-season best 11 digs on January 24th against UBC. At the net, Weekes tallied 24 total blocks.
In the Canada West Play-In series at home last weekend, the first-year phenom took his game to another level. He posted a career-high 22 kills in a Thursday win over UBCO, along with a career-high four services aces in the Friday rematch as part of a series sweep.
“Owen had an outstanding second half of the season. He managed the switch from right side to left side seamlessly and finished with the highest attack efficiency of all U SPORTS rookies this year,” said Ludwig.
“He has played with poise beyond his years and has exceeded all first-year expectations.”