The accolades keep pouring in for Roberts Creek's Kyla Richey.
The fifth-year stand out with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, was named the CIS player of the year in women's volleyball Wednesday night (Feb. 29) during the annual year-end awards gala at the national championships in Hamilton.
Richey became the third UBC player in as many years - and the third in program history - to claim the Mary Lyons Award, handed out to the national most valuable player. Current teammate Shanice Marcelle was honoured last season, while former T-Bird great Liz Cordonier was named MVP in 2009-10.
"This award really means a lot to me, so thanks to the selection committee for that," said Richey during her acceptance speech. "I would not be standing up here without my amazing teammates. You guys are all an inspiration to me every single day and make it so easy to come to practice every day and work so hard. Thanks to my coaches Doug and Leah for putting so much time and effort into me over the past five years. It means a lot and I would not be here without you."
Richey was simply the best player on the best team in the country this season. The 6-foot-1 senior led the Canada West with 3.54 kills and 4.42 points per set in conference play, averages that rank third and fourth in the nation, respectively. She also finished seventh in the conference in service aces per set (0.41), while placing in the top 25 in both blocks (0.83) and digs (2.35).
Behind her strong play, the Thunderbirds took first place in the Canada West standings thanks to a stellar 18-2 record, topped all 14 weekly national polls and qualified for the CIS championship.
Prior to her selection to the first all-Canadian team this season, Richey had been voted to the second CIS squad in 2009-10. She was also named a CIS championship all-star in 2009, when she claimed tournament-MVP honours, and 2011.
A member of the senior national team since 2010, Richey will compete at the Olympic qualifying tournament in late April as Canada tries to clinch a spot at the 2012 London Games. She has already represented Canada at numerous competitions, including the 2009 Summer Universiade in Belgrade, Serbia. She is part of a talented volleyball family, her mother, Jan, having won the 1978 CIS championship with UBC, while her brother, Stuart, currently plays for Thompson Rivers University.
"Kyla is a special player and has contributed so much to our team as a competitor and a leader," said UBC head coach Doug Reimer."Her dedication to UBC and to the national team program demonstrates the impact she has had on the volleyball community in Canada. We have been fortunate to have a player of such talent and prowess on our side of the net.She has made huge improvements in her all-round play and it is rewarding to be witness to that."
