HAMILTON (CIS) - UVic Vikes women's basketball head coach
Brian Cheng has been named CIS Coach of the Year, and fourth-year post
Kayla Dykstra earned all-Canadian honours.
The CIS announced its major award winners and all-Canadians on Thursday night as a prelude to the CIS Final 8 championship tournament, which begins Friday at McMaster University.
In his ninth season at the helm, Cheng joined his mentor, Kathy Shields (1991-92, 1979-80), and Mike Gallo (1977-78) as UVic coaches to receive the Peter Ennis award.
Cheng led the his troops to second place in the ultra-competitive Canada West Pacific Division with a 14-4 record, the team’s best winning percentage (.777) in 10 years. The Vikes were ranked nationally all season long – topping at No. 5 - and were the only team to beat No. 1 and Pacific rival Simon Fraser, ending the Clan’s 54-game winning streak against CIS opponents with a 63-61 decision in their conference finale on Feb. 13.
A native of Victoria, Cheng has compiled a 104-82 conference record since his head coaching debut in 2001-02 and has led the Vikes to eight straight playoff appearances. In 2002-03, he guided Victoria to a CIS-record ninth Bronze Baby trophy as national champion. Prior to taking over the program, he was an assistant coach under the legendary Shields for five years, helping the Vikes win a pair of CIS titles (2000, 1998) and five Canada West championships.
“Brian is a tremendously hard-working coach and it is satisfying to see him recognized with this award,” said UVic Director of Athletics & Recreation, Clint Hamilton. “Regardless of opponent, Brian works hard to prepare our Vikes team to be in the best position to succeed, and I believe this is recognized by his peers in being awarded this distinction.”
Dykstra was also named second team all-Canadian, her second straight nod. Last year, the 6-foot-2 post from Calgary won the Nan Copp award as CIS Player of the Year and was first team all-Canadian.
Other CIS major award winners included Simon Fraser's Robyn Buna, who was named CIS Player of the Year; Simon Fraser guard Katie Miyazaki who was named the nation’s top defensive player; Windsor post Jessica Clemençon who received the Kathy Shields award as rookie of the year; Manitoba’s Michele Hynes who received the Sylvia Sweeney award recognizing her excellence in basketball, academics and community involvement; and McGill’s Anneth Him-Lazarenko who claimed the Tracy MacLeod award recognizing determination and perseverance.
Full CIS news release
AWARDS
Nan Copp award (player of the year): Robyn Buna, Simon Fraser
Defensive player of the year: Katie Miyazaki, Simon Fraser
Kathy Shields award (rookie of the year): Jessica Clemençon, Windsor
Peter Ennis award (coach of the year): Brian Cheng, Victoria
Sylvia Sweeney award (outstanding student-athlete / community service): Michele Hynes, Manitoba
Tracy MacLeod award: Anneth Him-Lazarenko, McGill
ALL-CANADIANS
First Team:
Robyn Buna, Simon Fraser
Kelsey Hodgson, Cape Breton
Amanda Anderson, Western
Marie-Michelle Genois, Laval
Lindsay DeGroot, Saskatchewan
Second Team:
Kayla Dykstra, Victoria
Alise Brown, Acadia
Chanelle St-Amour, Laval
Hannah Sunley-Paisley, Ottawa
Nicki Schutz, Toronto
All-Rookie Team:
Kristina Collins, Simon Fraser
Justine Colley, Saint Mary's
Marie-Pascale Nadeau, Laval
Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, Simon Fraser
Jessica Clemencon, Windsor