Three members of UBC Okanagan Heat volleyball—Adam Kern and Jim Bell from the men’s team and Michelle Jakszuk from the women’s—are off to showcase their talent in hopes of representing Canada in international competition later this summer.
Bell, a 6-foot six inch outside hitter from Surrey, just finished his junior year with the Heat men’s team leading the squad to their second best ever win total in Canada West competition with six. For his outstandiung season Jim was named the UBC Okanagan Heat’s Most Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year at the year end awards banquet just a few weeks ago.
Jim has been selected to attend Volleyball Canada men’s national B team selection camp. He will challenge 37 other athletes for a spot on the squad at the B team selection camp runs from April 29 to May 4 at the National Training Centre, in Gatineau, Que. The selected players will train in Gatineau all summer, and compete at the Pan Am cup in the United States from August 9 to 17.
Kern, a finalist for UBC Okanagan Heat Male Rookie of the Year, will also be off to Gatineau, the middle blocker from West Kelowna’s Mount Boucherie Secondary who just finished his freshman year with the Heat, will be among the 39 players who will vie for a coveted spot on Canada’s junior team. The selection camp will be held at the National Training Centre from May 6 to 11.
This team’s head coach is John Barrett, along with assistant coaches Brock Davidiuk and Vincenzo Mallia. Last year, the junior team finished second place at the U21 NORCECA in El Salvador, qualifying to compete at the U21 World Championship in Mexico from Sept. 11 to 20.
The selected Junior team will also be attending the 2015 World Universiade in Gwangju, South Korea from July 3 to 14.
Jakszuk, from the Canada West first place finishing UBC Okanagan Heat women’s volleyball team, will attend a selection camp in June.
Michelle is one of 32 players invited to try out for the Canadian women’s volleyball team which will compete at the 2015 Summer Universiade in Gwangju, South Korea (July 3-14). Michelle, who will be at the national training camp (June 1-7 in Langley) will also have a chance to make the national team as the top 12 will be named to the final roster fro the Canadian national team.
