Phil Yeldon was a key player in the Thunder's OCAA East Division Championship Photo: Cassie Dresch

Editors notes: Writer Ian MacAlpine is a second-year Journalism student at Algonquin College and was a OCAA Second Team All-Star

It’s not the title he hoped to be walking away with after the weekend but it’s still one he’s pretty proud of.

Though his Algonquin Thunder team didn’t win gold, Phil Yeldon was named Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Canadian and Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) men’s volleyball player of the year.

“Phil represents everything our program strives to be,” said Jeffrey Mooney, head coach of the Thunder. “He is a leader who is not only able to get the best out of himself but an ability to get the best from him teammates.”

The award marked the first time in Algonquin College history that the Thunder have had a men’s volleyball All-Canadian.

“It was an honor to be named player of the year and to be the first All-Canadian for the volleyball program at Algonquin,” said Yeldon. “A lot of credit goes to my coaches and teammates for helping me throughout the year.” 

Yeldon was also named an OCAA Eastern Division First-Team All-Star. 

“To have him receive this great honour helps anchor what our program stands for and the quality athletes we have had in the past, present and will continue to attract in the future,” said Mooney.

The fourth-year left-side attacker led the OCAA averaging 5.1 points per set. He totaled 374 points on 270 kills, 48 blocks and a league leading 56 aces while leading his team to a 17-3 record, good for first place in the Eastern Division.

“He brought consistent power and stability to our offence,” said Alex Oneid, captain of the Thunder. “He produced results no matter the pressure put on him.”

The Ottawa native grew up playing club volleyball for the Ottawa Mavericks Volleyball Club and captured a national championship in 2009 under coach Mooney.

Just this summer Mooney was named head coach of the Thunder which played a big part in Yeldon’s decision to come to Algonquin. 

“He’s definitely the best coach I’ve ever had and our national championship in ‘09 with the Mavericks is a reflection of that,” said Yeldon. “When I heard that he and Alex Oneid were going to be here it basically made the decision for me.”

Before coming to Algonquin, Yeldon played for Les Titans du Cégep Limoilou in Quebec City for three years where he won a CCAA championship in 2010.

The awards ceremony was held in Oakville, Ont. on Thursday morning of the 2013 OCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship hosted by the Sheridan Institute of Technology from February 21st to the 23rd.

The Thunder beat the host Sheridan Bruins 3-2 in the quarterfinal before being upset 3-0 by the Mohawk Mountaineers in the semifinal and again by the Niagara Knights 3-2 in the bronze semifinal.  Yeldon notched 54 points over the three games (47 kills, 3 aces, 4 blocks).

Frankie Edgecombe of the Nipissing Lakers and Shayne Petrusma of the Niagara Knights were also named CCAA All-Canadians. Jeff Scott of Niagara was named the rookie of the year and Wayne Harris of the Redeemer Royals was named coach of the year.

2012-13 OCAA Men's Volleyball Major Awards

OCAA Men's Volleyball East Division Champions

Algonquin Thunder

OCAA Men's Volleyball West Division Champions

Niagara Knights

OCAA Men's Volleyball Player of the Year

Philippe Yeldon, Algonquin

CCAA Men's Volleyball All-Canadians

• Frankie Edgecombe, Nipissing
• Shayne Petrusma, Niagara
• Philippe Yeldon, Algonquin

OCAA Men's Volleyball Rookie of the Year

Jeff Scott, Niagara

CCAA Men's Volleyball Coach of the Year Nominee

Wayne Harris, Redeemer 

OCAA Men's Volleyball East Division Scoring Champion

Philippe Yeldon, Algonquin

OCAA Men's Volleyball West Division Scoring Champion

Shayne Petrusma, Niagara

OCAA Men's Volleyball East Division Rookie of the Year

Lyndon Sonego, Georgian

OCAA Men's Volleyball West Division Rookie of the Year

Jeff Scott, Niagara

OCAA Men's Volleyball East Division Coach of the Year

Josh Nichol, George Brown

OCAA Men's Volleyball West Division Coach of the Year

Wayne Harris, Redeemer

OCAA Men's Volleyball East Division First-Team All-Stars

• Jordan Darlington, Seneca
• Craig Lush, Durham
• Riley McAllister, Durham
• Jared Moelker, Loyalist
• Richard Serote, George Brown
• Edwin Sheon, George Brown
• Philippe Yeldon, Algonquin

OCAA Men's Volleyball East Division Second-Team All-Stars

• Clay Couchman, Fleming
• Predrag Gajic, Seneca
• Keith Marier, La Cite
• Ian McAlpine, Algonquin
• Eric Oliviera, George Brown
• Michael Vandinther, Georgian
• Brad VanHartingsveldt, Durham

OCAA Men's Volleyball West Division First-Team All-Stars

• Andre Brown, Humber
• Scott Coulthard, Nipissing
• Frankie Edgecombe, Nipissing
• Aleks Inveiss, Humber
• Jake Klassen, Redeemer
• David Klomps, Redeemer
• Shayne Petrusma, Niagara

OCAA Men's Volleyball West Division Second-Team All-Stars

• Josh Butler, Sheridan
• Jeremy Fantin, Sheridan
• Eric Heidbuurt, Redeemer
• Matt Isaacs, Humber
• Derek Quinn, Humber
• Jeff Scott, Niagara
• Matthew Stewart, Fanshawe