The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s volleyball team received four honours as the OUA announced their major award winners and all-stars on Tuesday (Mar. 4), seeing Jayden Talsma and Hunter Arulpragasam named all-stars, while both Iannis Toma and Luka Minic were recognized as OUA all-rookies.
Being named an OUA first team all-star, this marks the second straight season Talsma has garnered the provincial recognition, receiving second team honours in 2023-24. This year the fourth-year outside hitter led the Blues in total kills (225), while also ranking Top 8 in the OUA in both kills per set (3.17) and hitting percentage (.272). Appearing in all 20 matches during the regular season, Talsma recorded double-digit points in all but two contests, while recording a season-high 21.5 points in a late November match at Queen’s. Completing his fourth season wearing the Blue and White, Talsma surpassed 500 career kills, 600 career points, and 300 career digs showcasing his all-around prowess.
Also receiving OUA all-star honours for the second consecutive season, Arulpragasam was named to the OUA second team for 2024-25. A consistent presence on the outside, the fourth-year human biology student appeared in 19 matches this year, ranking sixth in the OUA averaging 3.6 points per set. Arulpragasam recorded 210 kills and 53 total blocks. Also a standout at the service line, he additionally ranked fifth in the OUA with 24 total service aces. Arulpragasam was previously named an OUA first team all-star in 2023-24 and an OUA East all-rookie in 2021-22.
Making an immediate impact in his first season with the Blues, Toma garnered OUA all-rookie honours after registering over 150 kills and over 125 digs. The 6-foot5 outside hitter appeared in 19 matches during his debut season, registering 10 or more kills across eight matches this year. This included a career-high 13 kills in a 3-0 straight sets sweep versus the Trent Excalibur in early February.
A dynamic presence at the net, Minic led the Blues in total blocks during his first season, registering 54 across all 20 regular season matches. His 21 solo blocks also ranked him Top 7 among all OUA players this year. The 6-foot-5 middle blocker brought energy and excitement to the floor, registering a season-high 10 kills and 12.5 points in a 3-1 victory at Waterloo in late January.
The full list of OUA major award winners and all-stars is included below:
Player of the Year: Markus Law-Heese, Windsor
Rookie of the Year: Chris Hoffman, York
EDI Award: Chris Zimmerman, Queen’s
Dale Iwanoczko Award: Lachlan McBride, Queen’s
Coach of the Year: Kelly Paton, Laurier
First Team All-Stars
Markus Law-Heese, Windsor
Maxime Gratton, McMaster
Dennis Cota, York
Zig Licis, Queen’s
Jayden Talsma, Toronto
Cade Smith, Western
Devin Cooney, Brock
Second Team All-Stars
Reed Venning, Queen’s
Jacob Walker, TMU
Quintin Greenidge, Windsor
Hunter Arulpragasam, Toronto
Jack Svendsen, Nipissing
Darian Koskie, Windsor
Joshua Glasbergen, Guelph
Third Team All-Stars
Nic Badalato, Trent
Lucas Redmann, Waterloo
Alex King, TMU
Alex Dorling, York
Gustavo Siqueira, Windsor
Matthew Rugosi, McMaster
Chris Zimmerman, Queen’s
All-Rookies
Chris Hoffman, York
Iannis Toma, Toronto
Tommy Roussel, RMC
Seth O’Brien, McMaster
Tian Harcevic, Guelph
Luka Minic, Toronto
Brock Drover, Trent