KELOWNA, B.C. - The UBCO Heat men's volleyball team announced five new additions to their recruiting class on Thursday, including a number of high-profile local recruits.
Seba Manuel, Hudson Farrell, Sam Jablonski, Ashton South, and Jonah Sutherns highlight the latest additions to a Heat squad that is on the rise and this group promises to help the team continue to rise in the Canada West conference.
Manuel, a 6-5 outside hitter, is undoubtedly the forerunner of the 2022 incoming class and is widely regarded as the top prospect in the province of British Columbia. Manuel brings with him a highly touted resume which includes MVP honours from two separate tournaments in 2021, the Best of the West Invitational and the UBC Invitational, provincial All-Star recognition in 2019, and as well as captaining the 2021 AAA Provincial Champion Kelowna SS Owls.
A local from Kelowna, B.C., Manuel is a three-time member of Team B.C. (2019, 2020, 2021) and hones exceptional talent in his outside hitter position. He is described by Heat Head Coach Brad Hudson as a "special talent not only because of his volleyball gifts, but because he has remained humble, kind, and driven towards personal excellence in all phases of his life."
"Seba understands what the Heat are all about; the people, the culture, the passion. His character and potential are built for this."
On joining the Heat, Manuel cites the team's competitive nature as a key factor of his decision, saying, "I want to be a part of a team that wants to win and has a plan to do so. No team wants [that] more than UBCO. I also know that since my goals align well with those of the coaches, I'll be able to make a positive and early impact. I want to be a serious contributor for the team and to help pave the way to multiple national championships that our program strives for."
Along with Manuel, two other members from the Provincial title team at KSS make their way to the Heat in Hudson Farrell and Sam Jablonski. Both players, Farrell a 6-6 middle blocker and Jablonski a 6-5 outside Hitter, were named First Team All-Stars for their strong contributions in the title win. KSS was without Manuel after he sustained an injury in the tournament's opening set, and relied heavily on both Farrell and Jablonski.
A local of Kelowna, B.C., Farrell had made large strides in his game during his years in high school and is advertised as a "tremendous teammate with high character" by Coach Hudson.
Jablonski, also from Kelowna, B.C., according to Hudson, is a player with an outstanding work ethic, whose "growth over the past two years… is a testament to his hard work and resilience."
He brings high hopes to his new team, saying, "I want to keep growing as a volleyball player and to keep getting stronger, bigger, and jumping higher than before… As a team, I want us to finish among the top teams in the division consistently, a birth to the national championships is within reach."
Along with the trio of KSS grads, Ashton South and Jonah Sutherns will don the Heat colours next season. South, a 6-7 middle, joins the Heat from Airdrie, Alta., and brings a "unique blend of athleticism and character" as per Coach Hudson. Sutherns is a 6-2 libero from Guelph, Ont., with a "high motor", whose skills can grow in a mentee role to UBCO's returning liberos.
Coach Hudson welcomes the recruits to the team with optimism, saying, "Our Heat community is fully ready to embrace these young men and help them actualize their dreams and ambitions. Each possesses a unique skill set but completely aligns with our culture and mission. Their pursuit of personal excellence is ours, and ours is theirs. Together we will achieve something special."
