CREDIT: JUSTIN FOX
Men's volleyball player James Jackson has worked hsi way to the top of the team in stats with insurmountable skills.

On Feb. 1st, James Jackson, member of the Fanshawe volleyball team, was named the lululemon Fanshawe male student-athlete for the month of January.

The award is given to one male and one female Fanshawe athlete per month based on their accomplishments. These students receive an exclusive shopping experience at lululemon Masonville.

“It feels amazing… there are so many insanely talented athletes that play varsity sports at Fanshawe and to be recognized among all of them is an honour,” Jackson said.

The head coach of the male volleyball team at Fanshawe, Patrick Johnston, expressed that he was not surprised to have one of his team members be recognized for such an award.

“James has been a dominant force in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) for the past couple of years and is now second in the OCAA in points per game,” Johnston said.

The Fanshawe men’s volleyball team went undefeated in the month of January, with Jackson having 52 kills, eight aces and five blocks for that month.

“When James is at his best, it forces our opponents to focus on him and allows others to have a greater impact. When James is on, he’s an absolute match-changer,” Johnston said.

The Falcons are now first place in the OCAA West Division and ranked first in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Rankings at the time of print.

Jackson is currently enrolled in his first year of the general arts and sciences program at Fanshawe, however this is his second year playing for the Fanshawe volleyball team.

He started playing volleyball when he was 14; while attending H.B. Beal Secondary School, he played every year on the team including his victory lap year. Meanwhile he began playing club volleyball in his grade 11 year.

Not only did he play volleyball, but he also played basketball for the majority of his life before giving it up in grade 11 to play volleyball exclusively.

Jackson explained that what he enjoys the most about the game is the involvement of everyone as a team, from a rally to even just contact during a play.

“It is so fun to be a part of such a talented team where you can trust one another to make the best contact possible,” Jackson said.

Jackson explained that he attributes his success to his team, and that without them playing to the best of their abilities, he wouldn’t be able to succeed in the offensive position.

“Our team truly is a unit and everyone’s effort contributes to reaching our goals… We outwork our opponents in every aspect and we stick to our game plan, and bring all the positive vibes we can. That’s what brings us success,” Jackson said.

Fanshawe College will be hosting the 2017 CCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship from March 8 to 11 that will hold eight men’s teams from across Canada.

“I really do believe we have a special team this year, it is rare to find this much talent on the same squad at the post secondary level,” Jackson said.