CALGARY – UBC Okanagan men's volleyball outside hitter Seba Manuel was named to the Canada West All-Rookie team on Tuesday morning following an impressive first year with the Heat.
 
Manuel, a native of Kelowna, B.C., playing for his hometown team, was one of the Heat's go-to players in his rookie season, starting in 23 of 24 matches. The health and exercise sciences major finished the season with 158 kills and 200.5 points, marks that ranked him second on the team his season. He also added 24 service aces, which was the most of any Heat player this season and established a new team record for most in a single season.
 
In addition, Manuel also contributed on the defensive side of the ball, recording 69 digs and 36 blocks in 2022-23.
 
Coming into the season as a highly-touted talent after being named the top high school player in British Columbia in 2021-22, Manuel quickly established his skill set at the next level. In the first half of the season, he recorded 10 or more kills in a match on four different occasions, including a season-best 14 against the Thompson Rivers WolfPack in November.
 
Arguably, his best performance of the year came against the nationally-ranked Trinity Western Spartans in January when he hit .526, firing home 12 kills along with an ace in a four-set loss for the Heat.
 
With the recognition, Manuel becomes the seventh player in program history to be named to the Canada West All-Rookie team, joining Lars Bornemann (2013-14), Eli Risso (2015-16), Kyle Hinchey (2016-17), Caleb Funk (2017-18). Cam Vanderveen (2018-19) and Zach van Geel (2021-22).