Last week the BCCAA released its volleyball all-star team list, player of the year awards and coach of the year awards, and Douglas cleaned up. The Royals placed four women and three men on the AIl-BC first or second team, had two men and one woman named All-Canadian, and had the player and coach of the year in men’s and women’s volleyball. On the women's side, Becki Kozinski was named first team All-BC, All- Canadian and the BCCAA women's player of the year which means that she | § is now up for the CCAA women's player of the year. Her coach, Susan Sharp, commented, “It’s a well-deserved award. She’s the catalyst for the team, every- thing revolves around her. She has phenomenal focus, determination and great skills.” The consummate team player, Kozinski said, “It’s a bit of a shock. It’s nice to be recognized but I’m working towards the provincials.” Also joining Kozinski on the All-BC first team was middle blocker Vesna Rukavina. Second team All-BCers from Douglas included first year player Christine Bonish and Sabrina Kaltenbach. Both Bonish and Kaltenbach.felt that they had good years and that anyone on the team could have sports@op.douglas.be. Royals rock BCCAA volleyball! been named All-BC. Coach Susan Sharp something that coach Brian Newman was named BCCAA coach of the year in had never heard of, “I can’t remember her rookie season at the helm. “It’s one school getting two [All-Canadians]. awesome, overwhelming,” said coach * It’s a great honour for [Ken] Kliendiest. Sharp, “it’s really a reflection on the It’s his last year and it’s a great way to team. They) made me look good.” round out his career. [Ken] Kilpatrick’ . The men’s team put not one but two _ has been underrated most of his career players (Ken Kleindienst and Ken and it’s nice.that the coaches are finally Kilpatrick) on the All-Canadian team, _ recognizing him.” Kleindiest was also BCAA woment player of the year Becki Kozinski goes for the kill David Tam photo - All-BC to round out the player honours Provincial preview honoured as the BCCAA men’s coach of the year, but he feels that the award recognizes the team more than the individual. “My assistants were great and the team never wanted to stop learning, so I feel that they honoured the team more than me.” @ named first team All-BC and BCCAA player of the year, putting him up for the CCAA player of the year as well. Along with being named All-Canadian, Kilpatrick was named first team All-BC. Jason Friesen was named second team at Douglas. Brian Newman was #5 Ken Kleindienst, BCAA men’ player of the year “Photo supplied This weekend our volleyball teams travel to the “sunny” Okanagan to play in the BCCAA provincial championships. Both teams are seeded number one going into the provincials and expectations are that’ the Royals will come away champs. The women’s team shares Pool A with the hosts and third ranked OUC Lakers * and the sixth ranked Capilano Blues. Coach Susan Sharp is wary of making predictions and is taking things “game by game and match by match.” If everything goes as planned the women’s team will meet the Malaspina Mariners in the championship game. The Mariners are the only team to beat the Royals this year and our team is gunning for their hated rivals. “The game [against Malaspina]. showed all of our mistakes,” says middle-blocker Vesna Rukavina, “(the championship] could go five games but if we don’t give up we could win in * three straight [games].” The men’s team share Pool A with Newman. The Royals should meet up with the TWU Spartans in the champi- onship game, but even if the Royals don’t win,,there is a chance to make the nationals. “There is a wild card and it should come from BC,” says coach Brian Newman. Douglas finished only two points a head of TWU and UCC in the BCCAA, so the competition will be fierce for the crown of BCCAA third ranked UCC and sixth ranked BCIT. “It will be a battle between us, Trinity. (Western University! and — Caribou [UCC],” says men’s coach Brian champion. @ Sue Sharp, BCAA womens coach of the year Photo supplied World Cup: A preview This Week We Preview Group B-Ltaly, Mle, Austria and Cayeroon. ‘This group iS Very) Weak. Anu one of three teas (ustrig, Lalu and Chie) have a chance to win the group. Ltaly is reeling after barely Sipping ‘past Russia ih aPplauy- off, hile caue out of a strong South ANerican qualifying group, Austria finished first in their qualifying group bat didn't really beat anuy- boduy, and Caueroon’s qualifying group dike Nost of the African nations) didn't provide anu) Coupe;»nnon. HaNish's Predictions This is an extremely shaky group, in which any of three teams could take first place. I don't see any of these teams advancing past the second round. Austria (27) x T’ll go out ona limb and pick this squad to,win this weak group. They came out of the toughest qualifying group (which they won) and should be hot going into their first match versus group patsy Cameroon on June 11. Ltaly ad) x Italy makes the second round on reputation alone. They barely slipped past Russia in a sudden death play-off to make the World Cup, their offence is nonexistent and they can't keep relying on Roberto Baggio and Gianfranco Zola to bail them out in tough games. Chie @”) Their first match, against Italy on June 11, will decide which of these teams move on. Chile’s last World Cup appearance was in 1982, so I'll predict an Italian win and a third place spot for Chile. Cayeroon GF) Even though they have made the last two World Cups (including a quarter final appearance in 1990), Cameroon probably wont’ finish better than last in this group. Like most of the African nations in the World Cup, Cameroon came out of a very weak qualifying group, which will hurt them in the tournament. X Advances to Round of 16 FIFA Rankings in Parentheses (New FIFA Rankings as of, February 18th, 1998) New rankings for Group A: Brazil [1], Scotland [37], Morocco [13], and Norway [10] ONGNS Predictons Tray a) x With Angelo Peruzzi in goal and Italy's strong team defence, led by Paolo Maldini, Italy will be hard to beat. Italy’s main weakness is scoring. Even with Gianfranco Zola and Alessandro Del Piero, Italy still cannot score goals. They barely made it to the World Cup by beating Russia in the playoffs. Italy will most likely advance to the Round of 16, but they may not secure first place in the group. These three-time champs will be in tough against Austria and Chile. ile Y x ‘I think Chile’s ranking is way too high. Chile does not have enough experience in big games. Even with forward Ivan Zamarano and South American Player of the Year, Marcelo Salas, Chile might have a hard time making it to the playoffs. If they really want to, they must beat a team like Italy. If Chile plays the way they did when they beat England 2-0, they will advance to the playoffs. If they play the way they did when they lost to Iran in the Hong Kong Tournament, Chile will not make it to the playoffs. Chile’s best ever finish in the World Cup was at the one they hosted in 1962 when they finished third. Austria (27) Austria could be the dark horse of the group. They won their qualifying group by beating Sweden twice. Although there are no superstars on the team (except for Andreas Hertzog) if Austria can keep up with Italy and Chile they could make the playoffs. Austria’s best finish was in 1954 when they finished third. - Cayeroon GF) Cameroon is a very young and very inexperienced team. Cameroon had a very easy qualifying group. They beat Togo, Angola, and Zimbabwe, who are not even to the elite teams in Africa. Cameroon's most experienced player is goaltender Jacques Songo’o (35 years old and 70 caps). Cameroon has two sixteen-year-olds on their national team (Placide Zoalande and Saloman Olembe). This team will be lucky to finish third in the group. Cameroon’s best finish in the World Cup was in 1990, when they made it to the quarter-finals. The Other Press February 25, 1998 7