UBC Okanagan men's volleyball outside hitter Jack Taylor was named to the Canada West All-Rookie team on Tuesday as the conference announced its all-stars and all-rookies.
Taylor, a native of Winnipeg, had a strong first season with the Heat that was unfortunately cut short due to injury. The 6-6 outside hitter appeared in 12 matches for the Heat, recording 61 kills, six aces, 55 digs and 16 blocks for a total of 75 points.
The first-year science major announced his presence on the Heat roster with an impressive performance against the reigning national champions, the Trinity Western Spartans, on November 4, 2023 when he had 12 kills and 15 points.
His best performance of the year came on December 1, 2023 when he recorded 17 kills while hitting .324 percent, to go along with six digs and four blocks for 20 points as the Heat battled the Manitoba Bisons to five sets.
Taylor joins fellow teammates Zach van Geel (2021-22) and Seba Manuel (2022-23) as current Heat athletes to be named to the Canada West All-Rookie team. In total, nine UBCO men's volleyball players have been named to the All-Rookie team, including Cam Vanderveen (2018-19), Caleb Funk (2017-18), Kyle Hinchey (2016-17), Eli Risso (2015-16), Devon Cote (2015-16) and Lars Bornemann (2013-14).
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UBC Okanagan Director of Athletics and Recreation Tom Huisman announced on Tuesday that Heat men's volleyball head coach Brad Hudson is no longer with the university.
"I would like to thank Brad for his dedication to our program over the past eight years," said Huisman. "We wish him all the best in his future endeavours."
Hudson joined the Heat prior to the 2016-17 season and coached seven seasons with UBCO.
A national search for a new head coach for the Heat men's volleyball program will begin shortly.