Things are really heating up at the UBC Okanagan, especially with the women’s volleyball team.
For the first time in school history, the Heat are ranked number one in Canada with an impressive record of 16-4 in conference play and 20-6 overall.
One of the main reasons for that success is the play of second year outside hitter Michelle Jakszuk from Gibsons.
The 6’1” arts major from Elphinstone Secondary School was named player of the game in their match with the Thompson Rivers WolfPack last week behind a monster defensive showing in a match leading seven block assists and two solo blocks to go with her nine kills.
The Heat won the match 3-1 to extend its league streak to 12.
“Michelle has been a very welcomed addition to our program,” said head coach Steve Manuel. “From the time that she arrived last season, she has been on a steady learning curve and is developing at an impressive rate. Although her volleyball skills are very good, it is her physical qualities that set her apart from the rest. Her jumping ability and sheer athleticism allow her to make plays that most simply cannot execute.”
Manuel said in her first season she saw a fair bit of court time and that continues to increase again this season.
“With several starts under her belt and quality time in every match that we are playing, Michelle is becoming a mainstay in our lineup,” he said. “I have no doubt that she will continue to develop her abilities and it won’t be long until she is considered among the top players in our conference. We have big plans for her and look forward to seeing just how far she can go.”
Jakszuk said coming from the small town of Gibsons to the campus in Kelowna was a big change, but now that she is in her second season, she is starting to get much more comfortable.
“Playing with the same girls all throughout high school and some on club teams was very comfortable,” she said. “My love for the game is what motivates me. Taking the ferry three times per week to the Lower Mainland for practices, doing homework on the ferry, getting home at 10:30 at night really prepared me for juggling academics and athletics in my first year. Joining the UBCO program was pretty foreign for me, seeing as I only played with one girl on the UBCO team, and only recognizing some of the others.
“Being such a close-knit group of friends is definitely an asset to having much success in sports. Spending time together away from the game lets you get to know each other as people, not just athletes. The off-court time together has created strong, friendships that are brought to games. It’s important to bond with one another, both on and off the court, if the team is going to perform well. Each one of us is very competitive and that’s what has brought us this far. We all have the same mindset and goals.”
The Heat are off to Calgary this weekend for a pair of matches against Mount Royal. They finish their league schedule at home against the University of Brandon on Feb. 6 and 7.
