Add "the best of the best" to Trinity Western's Derek Epp already-impressive resumés. The Spartans volleyball sensation has been named the 2021-2022 Canada West Athlete of the Year.
Epp takes home the conference's top honour after an inspirational and unique season that saw him lead his top-ranked Spartans team in a dominant season.
The setter from Saskatoon will now move forward as the Canada West nominee for the prestigious Lois and Doug Mitchell Award, which honours the nation's top male and female student-athletes. U SPORTS will announce the winners on May 25.
Epp is the sixth TWU athlete to win the Canada West Athlete of the Year award, following Ryan Sclater (Men's Volleyball – 20017), Jessica King (Women's Soccer – 2015), Ben Ball (Men's Volleyball – 2012), Josh Howatson (Men's Volleyball – 2007) and Chris Meehan (Men's Volleyball – 2006).
Epp is joined by the University of Calgary's soccer star Montana Leonard, as she is the female winner of the 2021-22 Canada West Athlete of the Year.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR | Derek Epp
Derek Epp's dominance on the court has earned him his fourth major honour this year. After winning the CW and U SPORTS Volleyball Player of the Year awards as well as the Spartans Athlete of the Year Award, Epp has been recognized as the best across all disciplines with this latest accomplishment.
Epp's unique blend of preparation and creativity made him the centrepiece of the country's top-ranked Spartans men's volleyball team. Epp stood out in a strong program as the setter in a 6-2 system where he commanded the conference's most efficient offence while converting effectively as a hitter as well.
The Saskatoon product captained his team to a 15-1 regular season record (the lone loss coming when Epp and other starters did not play) and a perfect 7-0 CW post season mark. The Canada West Champions went on to win silver at nationals.
Following his time with TWU, Epp, who was a two-time Academic All-Canadian, will be pursuing a professional volleyball career abroad. This summer, he is set to return to Canada's senior men's volleyball program, as the national team prepares for the Volleyball Nations League and, later in the summer, the World Championship.
Coach Ben Jospheson commented, "It is hard to summarize Derek in just a few words or in a short paragraph. But when it comes to the skills of the game, it is hard to remember seeing a setter at the U SPORTS level who is a more special tactician and executor of a volleyball offence. His dedication to his craft, his preparation and then the execution of those skills at such a high level has probably never been seen before."
"He is just truly one of those remarkable athletes and a generational talent who I was honoured and blessed to coach and Trinity Western was honoured and blessed to have play for us and the Spartans.
I love that he is still in the game and I love that he is going to pursue his professional career overseas and his career with Team Canada."
Director of Athletics Jeff Gamche added, "Derek is one of those individuals who puts in his very best into his development as a volleyball player and student athlete. In spite of significant health challenges, Derek was able to lead the team to historic seasons over his time as a Spartan while maintaining an excellent GPA. His commitment to excellence raised the level of training and competing in our gym day in and day out. He has left an incredible legacy for the guys who follow."
See the full story on the TWU Spartans website:
TWU Spartans
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier global Christian liberal arts University. We are dedicated to equipping students to discover meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. Drawing upon the riches of the Christian tradition, seeking to unite faith and reason through teaching and scholarship, Trinity Western University is a degree-granting research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.