Briercrest men’s volleyball libero Jonathan Phillips was named the Sask Volleyball 21U male athlete of the year at the Sask Volleyball AGM this past weekend.

Red-shirting for Briercrest during the 2013-14 season, Phillips was able to transition from an attacking position to libero. This transition served him well as he was the lone Saskatchewan selection to the National Team Challenge Cup All-Star team this summer. He was then the only Team Saskatchewan member selected to the Canadian Junior National team who finished second at the 2014 NORCECA Junior Championships hosted in El Salvador this past summer, qualifying for the 2015 U-21 FIVB World Championship.

He has started the 2014-15 ACAC strong, recently selected as the Player of the Game in a statement 3-0 win over Lethbridge College this past weekend.

The following was from a Press Release from the SVA:

Jonathan is a great student of the game, always thirsty for more knowledge and the next challenge. The summer of 2014 could have been very different for him had it not been for his willingness to adapt to a new situation. After suffering a knee injury late in 2013 Jonathan’s volleyball path was starting to change, and when he showed up to provincial team tryouts he was unsure of how it would go. With no true libero trying out for the team, Jonathan take on that role and really start to embrace it. Although there were some bumps in the road he adapted quickly and took on the challenge. He was the top libero at the 2014 19U NTCC’s in Gatineau, and caught the eye of Junior National Team Coach John Barrett, leading to his selection at the end of the tourney. Mark Dodds coached Jonathan on both the NTCC squad as well as the Junior National Team and he says it was nothing but a pleasure. Phillips has the intensity and drive that you like to see in players as well as the attitude that team comes first. Congrats on the award Phillips!

To view the Sask Volleyball AGM Recap click here.

For the list of all of the annual awards click here.

For more information on Briercrest Volleyball like the Facebook page.