Trio of Dinos earn Canada West honours

CALGARY – Three members of the Calgary Dinos men’s volleyball team earned Canada West honours, the conference office announced Wednesday morning.

Louis Kunstmann was named a first team all-star, while Cole Czepuryk and Emil Olsen were both named to the all-rookie squad under first-year head coach Graham Vigrass.

Kunstmann was the clear leader for the Dinos attack this season. The fourth-year outside hitter finished the regular season ranked third in Canada West in kills (271), fourth in total blocks (71), seventh in kills per set (3.43) and 10th in solo blocks (10). This marks the second time the 6-foot-9 middle has been honoured with a postseason award, also being named to the all-rookie team back during the 2021-22 season.

After a bit of a slow start, Czepuryk came on strong down the stretch to earn a spot on this year’s all-rookie squad. The highly recruited local product tallied 109 kills, 56 digs and 17 total blocks in his first season in the Scarlet & Gold. The 6-foot-8 outside started to find his rhythm down the stretch, recording all five of his double-digit kill performances this semester.

Olsen has been a big spark plug for the Dinos defence this season. The 5-foot-7 libero finished his first Canada West season ranked fourth in the conference in both digs and digs per set with 152 and 1.97, respectively. Olsen also racked up 342 serve receives – second most on the Dinos this season and 18th in the conference.

After a sweep of UFV to start their playoff run, the Dinos are now off to Edmonton to take on Alberta in a quarterfinal matchup, starting Thursday.

COMPLETE LIST OF CANADA WEST ALL-STARS

Name / Position / University / Year / Hometown

1st Team All-Stars
Piers de Greeff / Outside Hitter / TWU / 2nd Year / Victoria, B.C.
Emmett Graham / Right Side / Saskatchewan / 4th Year / Saskatoon, Sask.
Mason Greves / Setter / UBC / 4th Year / Calgary, Alta.
Isaac Heslinga / Outside Hitter / Alberta / 4th Year / Orangeville, Ont.
Louis Kunstmann / Outside Hitter / Calgary / 4th Year / Neuenhain, Germany
Isaiah Olfert / Outside Hitter / Winnipeg / 5th Year / Winnipeg, Man.
Thys Westrate / Middle / UBCO / 3rd Year / Kelowna, B.C.

2nd Team All-Stars
Jacob Baird / Middle / Saskatchewan / 2nd Year / Daisy Hill, Australia
Trent Cherewaty / Middle / Alberta / 2nd Year / Mulmur, Ont.
Sam Flowerday / Outside Hitter / TRU / 4th Year / Proserpine, Australia
Jordon Heppner / Middle / Manitoba / 3rd Year / Winnipeg, Man.
Philipp Lauter / Middle / Brandon / 4th Year / Wiesbaden, Germany
Gavin Moes / Outside Hitter / UBC / 3rd Year / Barrhead, Alta.
Jonas Van Huizen / Setter / UFV / 4th Year / Langley, B.C.

All-Rookie Team
Mitchell Croft / Opposite & Middle / MacEwan / 1st Year / Melbourne, Australia
Cole Czepuryk / Outside Hitter / Calgary / 1st Year / Calgary, Alta.
Easton Dick / Middle / Winnipeg / 1st Year / Linden, Man.
Alex Emery / Middle / UBC / 1st Year / Delta, B.C.
Owen Harris / Middle / Alberta / 1st Year / Edmonton, Alta.
Emil Olsen / Libero / Calgary / 1st Year / Bergen, Norway
Owen Weekes / Right Side / Manitoba / 1st Year / Winnipeg, Man.

-UC-