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UFV's Bruce named national player of the year

Kayla Bruce added to her already packed trophy case on Wednesday, as she was named the CCAA women's volleyball player of the year.
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UFV's Kayla Bruce has been named the national player of the year.

Kayla Bruce added to her already packed trophy case on Wednesday, as she was named the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) women's volleyball player of the year.

A fifth-year middle with the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades, Bruce led the PacWest conference in total offence, accounting for 4.57 points per set. The Surrey native also finished third in the conference in kills (3.26 per set) and was tops in both the PacWest and the CCAA in blocks (1.02).

"I could not be happier for her," UFV coach Dennis Bokenfohr said of Bruce. "In a year where there were a lot of deserving athletes, it is very flattering for the CCAA committee to vote her as the recipient.

"This is everything to do with her compete level. Many athletes have moments of greatness. It is Kayla's consistency that separates her from the rest."

Bruce was also named a CCAA first team All-Canadian for the second straight year after leading the Cascades to a 22-2 regular season record and the first PacWest title in program history. She earned MVP honours for both the PacWest regular season and playoff tourney, and her Cascades are the top seed at the national championships in Lloydminster, Alta. this week.

Other candidates for the CCAA player of the year award were Alyssa Fields-Bouchard of the Élans de Garneau, Ashley Jordan of the St. Thomas Tommies, Ashley Lange of the Lakeland Rustlers and Kelly Nyhof of the Humber Hawks.

“Coming into the 2012-13 year, Kayla had set high expectations for herself," Bokenfohr said. "Every player hopes to have a productive season like Kayla's and it came from a lot of hard work. Kayla has bought into our system fully and has evolved into one of our leaders. She carries a lot of pride on our team’s success and embraces the moment each time we go out to perform."