KELOWNA, B.C. – UBCO Heat women's volleyball middle Ali Rathlef was honoured as a member of the 2025-26 Canada West All-Rookie Team on Wednesday as the conference announced its all-stars and all-rookie team.
 
Rathlef, a native of Vancouver, becomes the 10th player in team history to be named to the Canada West All-Rookie team and the fourth in the last five years.
 
Playing in 15 games over the course of her rookie season, the 6-3 sustainability major made an instant impact on the court, recording 101 kills on 201 attacks, with just 25 errors, for an impressive 0.378 hitting percentage. That mark ranks her second overall in Canada West and is the second-best single season hitting percentage in UBCO history.
 
Rathlef would also rack up 39 blocks, 49 digs and six aces to finish the year with 127.5 points.
 
After coming off the bench for the first three weekends of the season, Rathlef took advantage of her first opportunity in the starting lineup on November 22 against the Thompson Rivers WolfPack. She recorded nine kills and a 0.400 hitting percentage along with 12 points and would go on to record at least 10 points six more times over her final nine games of the season. She would also register at least 10 kills in a game on four occasions, including a season-best 12 in four sets against Mount Royal on January 31.
 
Rathlef joins teammates Olivia Boulding (2024-25) and Madison Gardner (2022-23) as current Heat athletes to earn Canada West All-Rookie Team recognition.