BONNYVILLE – It was a rare occasion to have all 14 Rhinos Volleyball Club teams in one place at the same time.
Despite the club having a 20-year history, the Rhino’s banquet held on June 15 in the Graham Field House was the volleyball organization’s first Year End Banquet.
Dressed for the occasion, 160 athletes, coaches and parents were eager to celebrate the players successes and personal growth over the 2023 volleyball season.
Coaches from each Rhinos team presented three awards to their players: Most Improved, Most Valuable, and The Crash Award.
Unique to the Rhinos Club, The Crash Award is designed to go to players that are considered a team's “emotional leader and moral compass of the crash.” A crash being the proper name for a group or herd of rhinos.
The recipient of The Crash Award is a player that personifies what it means to be a Rhino and represents the club's core values each and every time they step on the court. These values are Responsibility, Honour, Integrity, No excuses, Opportunity, Supportive.
2023 Award winners
Award winners from the 12U Black include Addison Houle who received Most Valuable Player, Brielle Smyl taking home Most Improved Player and Abbie Blain who received The Crash Award.
For the 13U Black team, Most Valuable Player went to Sophie Dechaine, Most Improved Player was awarded to Ava Bellamy, and The Crash Award was earned by Jordyn Parsons.
Coaches from the 13U White team awarded Mya Cumby with Most Valuable Player, Most Improved Player was earned by Abby Mahon, while The Crash Award went to Laney MacDougall.
Athletes from 13U Silver team that picked up awards at the banquet included Camryn Hall who received Most Valuable Player, Blair Jaques was awarded the Most Improved Player and Rozlyn Pilat earned herself The Crash Award.
On the 14U Black team, Most Valuable Player went to Jada Amyotte, Most Improved Player was received by Neddie Severyn, and The Crash Award was presented to Faith Martyniuk.
For the 14U White team, Reese Bourbeau earned the title of Most Valuable Player, Most Improved Player went to Olivia Swansburg, while The Crash Award was presented to Patience Anderson.
Players who received special acknowledgement on the new 14U Men’s team included Teagan Darroch who received Most Valuable Player, Kieran Gaudreault who garnered Most Improved Player award and Adam Dechaine who was the recipient of The Crash Award.
On the 15U Black team Kathryn Brown received Most Valuable Player, Victoria Crampton took Most Improved Player and Payton Ference earned The Crash Award.
For the 15U White team Most Valuable Player went to Sophie Webster, Most Improved Player was received by Arielle Billo with The Crash Award going to Ava Vallee.
Athletes that took home awards on the 16U Black team include Isabelle Hamel who received Most Valuable Player, Mercedes Trefenanko who earned Most Improved Player and Kenzie Kohut who received The Crash Award.
On the 16U White team Most Valuable Player went to Sarah Depner, Most Improved Player was presented to Danielle Antoniuk, while The Crash Award was given to Sophia Ringuette.
For the 16U Men’s team Reegan Lapatak earned himself Most Valuable Player, Lance Kissel took Most Improved Player and Cadogan Rachynski was the recipient of The Crash Award.
Ladies from the 17U Black team taking home awards included Mia Ozga, who earned Most Valuable Player, Calei Penner who nabbed Most Improved Player and Erin Neidermaier who swiped The Crash Award.
For the graduating 18U Black team Kaylie Ross received The Crash Award, Most Valuable Player went to Halle Blocha while Most Improved Player was awarded to Zoe MacLellan.
The Coach of the Year Award, which is voted on by all Rhinos coaches, went to club president and coach of the 18U Black team as well as the 15U Black team, Scott Cameron.
The recipient of the award is recognized for their team's performance and results, as well as their dedication to player development and commitment to fostering a positive team culture.
2023 Scholarship recipients
As the banquet rolled on, four graduating players also received special acknowledgment for continuing to pursue the sport of volleyball at the post-secondary level.
Rhinos players that will move on to an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) school includes Alyvia Williams (Ambrose University), Emma Jonker (SAIT), Halle Blocha (Ambrose University), and Zoe MacLellan (King's University).
Funds raised through a series of draws were put toward the Rhinos Scholarship Fund. All four 18U players continuing their volleyball career were awarded $500.
The elite volleyball club draws athletes from across the Lakeland region including Bonnyville, Cold Lake, St. Paul, Lac La Biche, Pierceland, Elk Point and more.
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