While racking up 28 kills in a single contest, Nate Speijer proved he was a player to keep an eye on.
The total is even more impressive considering it was not only his first year of CIS competition, but his first match.
That performance set the tone for the UBC Okanagan outside hitter who took his game to the next level in 2011-12 and earned Canada West all-star recognition.
A dominant players for three seasons in the BCCAA, Speijer proved capable of doing the same in Canada West as his name appeared among the leaders in several offensive categories.
UBC Okanagan coach Greg Poitras was pleased with his veteran hitter’s ability to take his game to the next level as the team jumped to a more difficult league.
“Nate had a great year,” said Poitras. “He really never skipped a beat with the big jump to CIS and all the teams and coaches keying on him. It was great to see him rise to the occasion. There is no doubt Nate is already preparing himself to be an even more complete player next year for the Heat.”
Speijer was fourth in points scored in Canada West with 4.55 per game, third in kills per set at 3.98, sixth in service aces with 19 on the year and he was also 19th in hitting percentage at .255. It is a testament to Speijer’s durability and his ability to carry the team to a playoff spot in its first Canada West season, as he was fifth in total attempts at 591, second in a per set average at 9.23.
Speijer had a season high of 28 kills in his first Canada West matchup Oct. 28 at home versus Winnipeg, this was the second highest total in Canada West this year and he did it in only four sets.
He had more than 20 kills twice more on the year, 24 versus Regina on Jan. 27 and Feb. 4 in Saskatchewan versus the Huskies, both of the matches were wins for the Heat and wins UBC Okanagan needed to qualify for the post season.
