CW BioSteel Players of the Week: March 17

March 17, 2026 - Make it four for four on the national stage.

Canada West programs delivered a dominant weekend, capturing all four U SPORTS championships across volleyball and swimming.

On the court, Canada West programs continued their stranglehold on U SPORTS volleyball, sweeping both the men's and women's championships for a sixth straight season. Alberta claimed the women's title after a dominant 3-0 victory over Sherbrooke in the final, while Trinity Western outlasted rival UBC in a five-set thriller to capture the men's crown. Manitoba added to the conference’s dominance with a bronze medal finish, marking the second straight year Canada West has swept the U SPORTS men’s volleyball podium.

In the pool, the UBC Thunderbirds swept the podium for the second straight season. UBC captured the women’s championship with 1,445 points, finishing ahead of Toronto (1,029) and McGill (978.5). The Thunderbirds also dominated the men’s competition, winning the national banner with 1,644 points, comfortably ahead of Toronto (935.5) and Calgary (883.5).

Kayla Sanchez was named women's swimmer of the meet after hauling in an incredible seven medals, highlighted by setting new U SPORTS records in the 50m and 100m Freestyle. UBC's men also set multiple U SPORTS records, including Yuri Kisil in the 100m freestyle and the T-Birds' 4x100-metre freestyle and medley teams.

Calgary's Alexanne Lepage also had a weekend to remember, as the third-year Dinos phenom captured four individual gold medals while setting new Canadian senior records in the women's 50-metre and 100-metre breaststroke competitions.

Let's get to our BioSteel Players of the Week.

Women's Volleyball - Abby Guezen (Alberta Pandas)

Named U SPORTS WVB Championship MVP

Leading the Alberta Pandas to their first national championship since 2007, third-year outside hitter Abby Guezen delivered a dominant performance at the 2026 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship in Langley, B.C.

Guezen was named Championship MVP, capping off an extraordinary season that also saw her earn Canada West and U SPORTS Player of the Year honours, as the Pandas captured their eighth national title in program history.

The Sherwood Park product was a consistent force throughout the championship, totalling 43 kills, 30 digs, seven service aces and 55.5 points across three matches. She opened the championship with 18 kills and 16 digs in a 3-1 quarterfinal win over Montreal, before adding 14 kills and two aces in a semifinal victory over Trinity Western.

Guezen saved her most efficient performance for the gold medal match, recording 11 kills, six digs and four aces in a commanding straight-sets win over Sherbrooke, helping the Pandas secure a historic championship title.

View Women's Volleyball: Standings | Schedule | Leaders

Men's Volleyball - Anselm Rein (Trinity Western Spartans)

Named U SPORTS MVB Championship MVP

Leading Trinity Western to the 2026 U SPORTS national championship, fifth-year setter Anselm Rein delivered a masterful performance in Windsor, Ont., last weekend.

Rein was named Championship MVP as he guided the Spartans to their eighth national title in program history.

Showcasing the elite distribution that has made him one of Canada West’s most impactful setters, the Erfurt, Germany product orchestrated one of the most efficient offences in the tournament. He finished with an impressive stat line of 122 assists, 20 digs, five kills and six service aces across three matches.

Rein set the tone early in a straight-sets quarterfinal win over Western, recording 31 assists. He followed with another composed 44-assist effort in a 3-1 semifinal victory over host Windsor.

He then delivered his best outing of the weekend in the championship final, tallying 47 assists and eight digs in a five-set victory over UBC.

View Men's Volleyball: Standings | Schedule | Leaders

Women's Swimming - Kayla Sanchez (UBC Thunderbirds)

Named U SPORTS Women's Athlete of the Meet

Named Female Athlete of the Meet at the 2026 U SPORTS Swimming Championships, Kayla Sanchez delivered a historic performance to lead the UBC Thunderbirds to their second consecutive national title and 26th in program history.

The Olympian was nothing short of dominant, capturing seven gold medals while setting two individual U SPORTS records and contributing to three relay record performances.

Sanchez showcased her elite speed in the freestyle events, setting new U SPORTS records in both the 50-metre and 100-metre freestyle. She also added gold medals in the 200-metre freestyle and 50-metre backstroke.

In relay competition, Sanchez played a pivotal role in UBC setting new U SPORTS records in the 4x100-metre freestyle, 4x200-metre freestyle, and 4x100-metre medley relays.

Men's Swimming - Yuri Kisil (UBC Thunderbirds)

Set U SPORTS records in the 50m and 100m Freestyle

Leading the UBC Thunderbirds to a second consecutive national title, Yuri Kisil delivered one of the most electrifying performances of the 2026 U SPORTS Swimming Championships, hosted by McMaster in Hamilton, Ont.

The Olympic veteran captured four gold medals, powering the ’Birds to their 22nd national championship in program history.

Kisil opened the meet as part of UBC’s record-setting 4x100-metre freestyle relay team, which posted a U SPORTS record time of 3:11.20. He also played a key role in the Thunderbirds’ gold medal performance in the 4x100-metre medley relay, which set another U SPORTS record.

He carried that momentum into his individual events, rewriting the record book in the freestyle sprints. On Saturday, Kisil set a new U SPORTS record in the 50-metre freestyle, touching the wall in 21.31 seconds — surpassing a mark he had already lowered earlier that day in the preliminaries.

Kisil closed the championships in dominant fashion on Sunday with another signature performance in the 100-metre freestyle. He stopped the clock at 46.77 seconds, establishing a new U SPORTS championship record while also setting a UBC program mark.

About Players of the Week:

The Canada West Players of the Week, Presented by BioSteel is a weekly celebration of athletic achievements across the conference. Each week, deserving student-athletes are nominated by SIDs from each member institution. Canada West office staff review nominations and select the recipients.

About BioSteel:

BioSteel is a leading sports hydration and nutrition brand, delivering clean, high-performance solutions trusted by professional athletes, top universities, and teams across North America and Europe, including major organizations like the NHL, MLB, NFL, MLS, NBA, and their affiliates. Alongside hydration, BioSteel offers premium protein and sports nutrition products, catering to athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and those striving for a healthier lifestyle. Committed to excellence, BioSteel equips top athletes and active individuals with the essential tools to reach peak performance and sustain wellness every day.

About Canada West:

As the leading university athletic conference in the country, Canada West is home to student-athletes that excel in the classroom and their communities. The conference is comprised of 17 member institutions spanning from Victoria to Winnipeg, with over 3,200 student-athletes competing across 14 sports. Canada West’s mission is to train leaders and build champions by providing leadership in the delivery, regulation, and promotion of university level high performance sports programs throughout western Canada.