Record Staff

Comox Valley volleyball talent is in the provincial spotlight this week as three local athletes have been honoured in the British Columbia Colleges' Athletic Association (BCCAA) year-end awards.

Rylan Brouwer is the provincial Rookie of the Year in BCCAA men's volleyball. The G.P. Vanier grad plays leftside for the Vancouver Island University Mariner men's team that is ranked 11th in Canada. Brouwer, also named to the Men's All-Rookie Team, was a league leader in kills (ninth) with 111.

The Mariners, based in Nanaimo, enter this weekend's Provincial championships in Kelowna seeded fourth and face the College of the Rockies Thursday night. Fans can follow the games live via the Internet, with the link available at the BCCAA Provincial Volleyball webiste at http://www.ubc.ca/okanagan/provincials/welcome.html.

Also from VIU, Cheyla Reader of Comox was named to the BCCAA women's first all-star team. The Highland Secondary grad plays power for the Mariners and was third in kills, eighth in aces and 12th in digs this season. She was also a BCCAA first team all-star in 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2008-09.

Ashley Cousens of Courtenay was named to the BCCAA women's second team all-star squad. The G.P. Vanier grad is a setter/rightside player for the Capilano Blues.

Acknowledging the three all-stars, Brent Dunlop of VIU Athletics said the Comox Valley is "an impressive area for producing volleyball players." Heather Huxham of Black Creek, also a Vanier grad, plays middle for the VIU Mariners.

sports@comoxvalleyrecord.com