2025 ACAC Men's Volleyball Rookies of The Year
Edmonton, AB (February 19, 2025) –
North Male Rookie of the Year | COOPER PAULOVICH | Northwestern Wolves:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce that Cooper Paulovich of the Northwestern Polytech Wolves has been selected as the 2025 ACAC Men’s Volleyball North Rookie of the Year.
Cooper finished in the top 10 in the ACAC in total aces and ranked in the top 25 in kills. His best performance came in January, when he recorded 25 kills and 7 aces in a weekend sweep over TKU.
"Cooper has had an outstanding rookie season. As a first-year player, he was thrust into a challenging role, filling the P1 position for the Wolves. Despite the pressure, he led the team in aces and finished second in kills. His growth has been remarkable, especially considering this was his first time playing outside and taking on passing responsibilities. He is a special athlete with a bright future ahead." said Head Coach Lindsey Habib.
Originally from Manning, AB, Cooper is currently enrolled in open studies. He was a multi-sport athlete throughout high school, excelling in both baseball and volleyball.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2025 ACAC Men’s Volleyball Championship hosted by Lakeland College from February 20-22.
The Player of the Year award is proudly sponsored by Vereburn Medical Supplies.
South Male Rookie of the Year | BENJAMIN FARLEY | Ambrose Lions:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Benjamin Farley of the Ambrose Lions has been selected as the 2025 ACAC South Men’s Volleyball Rookie of the Year.
Benjamin Farley has been nothing short of impressive in his first year. He came to Ambrose University from Perth, Australia this season, surpassing 100 points in his first season despite playing seven games as a libero. He was able and willing to step up for his team, finishing the season as the only first-year Lions athlete to play all 69 sets with the team.
The rookie tallied 20 service aces, 87 digs, 16 assists, 80 kills and eight blocks, demonstrating his versatility on the floor and dominance in any position he faces. He also led Ambrose in digs for the season. Not only was he a leader in statistics, but he also consistently motivated his teammates to stay locked-in for every set. He was always seen working to swing momentum in the favour of the Lions and keeping his composure. He learned a lot and grew as a person and teammate over the past year at Ambrose, growing from a player focusing on personal successes to the success of the program.
“Ben’s impact on our team this season has been incredible. His adaptability, work ethic, and willingness to help the team, along with his ability to contribute as both a libero and an outside hitter, speak volumes about his skill and commitment,” said head coach, Jose Caceras. “I believe this season has also been a great learning experience for him. This recognition is well deserved, and I couldn’t be prouder of him.”
Farley reached his career high nine digs in a November 9 match up against the Rustlers and a career high 10 kills in the Lions three-set-sweep over Medicine Hat on January 18.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2025 ACAC Men’s Volleyball Championship hosted by Lakeland College from February 20-22.
The Player of the Year award is proudly sponsored by Vereburn Medical Supplies.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Kayla Beers, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
kaylab@acac.ab.ca