CW Announces Players of the Week

Jan. 9, 2024 – Teams from across Canada West kicked off the 2024 portion of their schedules last weekend, showing no holiday rust as they began the two month sprint towards the Canada West playoffs. The weekend had many highlights, including a memorable win for the Thompson Rivers University men's volleyball program on Friday night as they made an emotional return to the court.

For the first time in 2024, here are your Canada West Players of the Week.

Women's Basketball - ​ Abigail Becker (VIC)

Becker's weekend was highlighted by a career performance against UBCO on Saturday, as she led Victoria to their first victory of the season. ​

The third-year from Parksville, B.C. opened with 12 points and added six rebounds and two blocks in a 73-59 defeat to the Heat on Friday night. She then put the team on her shoulders the following night, dropping 29 points with 14 rebounds in a 76-63 win. She played 34 minutes while going an impressive 13-19 from the field. ​

It was Becker's first double-double of the season. The 14 rebounds set a new career-high, while her 29 points tied her previous career best.

The 13 made field goals on Saturday were also the most in a single Canada West women's basketball game this season.

Men's Basketball - Martynas Sabaliauskas (Calgary)

Sabaliauskas recorded a pair of double-doubles while coming off the bench, playing a pivotal role as the Dinos swept a weekend series with cross-city rival MRU. ​

The second year Lithuanian forward opened with 21 points and 10 rebounds in an entertaining 88-82 win on Friday, going 3-8 from beyond the arc and 8-15 from the field.

He was a major difference maker again the following night, as he exploded for a season-high 36 points in a 119-103 Dinos win. He went a jaw dropping 8-for-11 from three, while also grabbing a team-best 10 rebounds for his second double-double in as many nights.

Women's Hockey - Courtney Kollman (Calgary)

Kollman's six-point weekend provided the offensive spark the Dinos needed, driving Calgary to a pair of important victories in a home-and-home set with the MacEwan Griffins.

The fifth year forward from Calgary was key to a 4-3 comeback overtime victory in Edmonton on Friday night, scoring the game tying goal in the third period before assisting on the overtime winner by Caitlyn Perlinger. She had added an earlier assist in the game for a three point effort.

She then notched another three point outing on Saturday, scoring twice while adding a helper in a commanding 4-0 win. Both of her goals came on the powerplay.

Kollman's dynamic weekend not only led to a pair of victories, but also rocketed her up the CW scoring race. She currently sits second in conference scoring with eight goals and 12 assists in 19 games. ​

The Dinos are in the thick of the conference playoff race, currently sitting fifth with an 8-11-1 record.

Men's Hockey - Jakin Smallwood (Alberta)

Smallwood got the new year started in a big way, powering the Golden Bears to a pair of convincing home victories over Trinity Western.

The second year forward from Leduc, Alta. scored a hat trick and added an assist in a 7-2 win over the Spartans on Friday. The former Winnipeg Ice (WHL) product then added another assist in a 5-1 victory the following night.

The Golden Bears are riding a five game win streak and Smallwood has been a key contributor, tallying 13 points over that span.

Smallwood is currently tied for ninth in CW scoring, tallying eight goals and 14 assists through 20 games. Alberta currently sits third in the conference with a 14-4-2 record.

Women's Volleyball - Grace Vallis (Winnipeg)

Vallis displayed tremendous attacking efficiency and was a force on both sides of the net this weekend, as her stellar play helped the Wesmen come away with a split against TRU.

She tallied nine kills on 20 swings (.450) on Friday, while adding a solo block and seven block assists in a tight five set setback.

The rookie middle from Miles Macdonnell Collegiate in Winnipeg then struck for a career-high 17 kills on 21 swings on Saturday, hitting for an astounding .810 attack percentage while adding a pair of solo blocks and six block assists in a Wesmen victory.

Vallis totalled 26 kills on 41 attempts (.634) in the two games, all without a single error. Saturday’s performance was the top attacking percentage of the season across the conference and is third all-time in Canada West history for a four-set match.

Men's Volleyball - Matthew Hamilton (Thompson Rivers)

In an emotional return to the court for the entire Thompson Rivers University men's volleyball team, Hamilton delivered the best performance of his university career.

The third year outside hitter from Lethbridge, Alta. tallied 33 total kills over the weekend, also adding 15 digs and five block assists during a weekend split at Winnipeg.

He was unstoppable in Friday's 3-1 victory, striking for 17 kills and a .433 hitting percentage while committing just four errors. He emphatically closed out the game with two untouchable service aces, prompting a huge reaction from his teammates and the large contingent of TRU supporters in the stands.

He was strong again the following day in a 3-1 defeat to the Wesmen, hitting for 16 kills, an ace, and seven digs. ​